ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Megan McCarthy, a water-based oil painter, begins each piece by instinctively washing her canvas with diluted paint, embracing the unpredictability of the initial marks. Over time, she has come to see these spontaneous foundations as integral to her process, often preserving the energy and rawness of the first strokes.
Her painting The Witching Hour sparked a deeper exploration into the power of beginnings. By deliberately shaping her early washes, she sought to capture the essence of a painting in its first moments. This shift in approach led to the collection Exploring the Nature of Origins, where she limits her palette to white, gray, and olive, emphasizing subtlety over vibrancy. The result is a body of work that preserves the initial spark of creation, balancing spontaneity with a lifetime of artistic study.
Through this collection, presented in the Locals Gallery of the Dairy Arts Center, Megan challenges the notion that time spent on a piece determines its value, instead embracing the immediacy and purity of an artwork’s inception. Her paintings invite viewers to experience the beauty of beginnings—where intuition, restraint, and emotion converge in their most authentic form.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Five years ago, Megan McCarthy embraced a challenge: to bring creativity to the forefront of her life. As someone who has navigated the challenges of depression, she recognized that artistic expression was not just a passion but a necessity—a form of self-care and healing. Now, as she celebrates her fifth anniversary as a professional artist, she reflects on the transformative power of that choice and the incredible support she has received along the way.
Her paintings serve as a bridge between her inner world and the environment that surrounds us. Rather than depicting literal imagery, her goal is to evoke emotion, inviting viewers into a shared, visceral experience. Constantly evolving in her practice, she remains steadfast in her mission: to create work that resonates deeply and meaningfully with others.
As a dedicated member of Boulder’s vibrant arts community, she works out of Wilderness Art Studios, a collective of diverse artists launching their inaugural First Friday art events this year. She also participates in the annual Boulder Open Studios Tour and serves on the Steering Committee for the Boulder Junction Gallery. A proud member of the Boulder Art Association, she is part of a century-long legacy of local artistic connection and collaboration.
At a time when the world feels increasingly divided, she believes that art has the power to unite—to remind us of our shared humanity and to foster understanding through the universal language of creativity. Her hope is that her work provides viewers with a moment of reflection, inspiration, and connection—just as creating it has done for her.