Meg Pierce shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Meg, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Most days I rise rather early, We have a beautiful dawn here! On a good day I take a walk by the Gulf of Mexico. Then I spent 3 or 4 hours in the studio. Sound wonderful? It is.
.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hand stitching has become the substance and form of my daily life. My hours are spent creating peaceful and complex expressions of interior life in thread. It is solitary and I believe redemptive.
I taught art in public schools for 32 years. Now I devote myself full time for my own work. Trained as a painter, I now work with fiber: collecting vintage to stitch and dye it .Also I am combining cyanotype printing with the shibori indigo dying. Shibori is a Japanese technique similar to tie dye using hand stitching to create patterns. Cyanotype is one of the oldest forms of photography that uses uv light (the sun for me) to create imagery. Blueprints are cyanotypes. I love to combine those beautiful indigo and cyan blues along with transparent cloth like gauze and organza.
I often stitch on traditionally feminine found vintage linens such as handkerchiefs and tablecloths. They are often worn and frayed by time. The art they inspire celebrates nuance and delicacy.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I saw what inspired my students. I saw how making beautiful things, seeing the beautiful could be a way to be happy and accomplished. Creativity is important to living a full life and involves work, commitment, dedication and curiosity.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Later in my teaching career I realized that my best self was my own self. I stopped comparing my art and life to others and kind of committed to “leaning into it.”
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Self expression and creative freedom are the most important human quality for a full life. If we stifle ourselves or others do we cannot attain our potential. Every person has to find their own. It can be family life, cooking, the arts, technology, music, anything. You are lucky to find.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
Like most people the time I spend in nature is most peaceful. But honestly hand stitching is a meditative and peaceful time for me now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.megpierce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megpierceart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meg.pierce.3
- Youtube: @megpierceart
Image Credits
Bowieproductions.com for my artist portrait in exhibit Dunedin Fine Art Center
