Meet Maygan Burns

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maygan Burns.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been drawing since I was very young as well as doing all kinds of crafts with my family and friends my whole life. I love to create, no matter what that means! I work full time as a Barista and try to create the most perfect drinks possible for all of my customers because after all, coffee can certainly be art on its own.

This past year I stepped down from being a Manager and back into the Barista/Supervisor role at my job for the sole purpose of dedicating more time to my dream of being a successful Artist. I have always said ‘full-time artist, part-time barista,’ that is the ultimate goal for me. As a manager, I had no time, energy or desire to work on my art and I felt my true passion and dreams slipping away from ever becoming a reality.

I am currently working on attending as many events in the Phoenix area as possible to get my name out there and really be a part of the Art scene that we have in this city. I have shown at a few events this year and hope to really jump in with both feet in the future.

One of my fondest memories from my youth was when I was about ten years old; my parents took me to an art event in Charlotte, NC called “Gallery Crawl” very similar to Phoenix’s First Friday. I had about half a dozen colored pencil drawings and a sheet with me. We found an area close to the action but also very obviously out of the way to set up my drawings. We laid the sheet out in front of a window of one of the galleries that happened to be closed that night and set the drawings out for people passing by to admire and hopefully purchase.

Someone who happened to still be in the shop behind us took a large spotlight and shone it down onto my little sidewalk gallery from inside the large window, gave me and my parents a little smile and was never seen again. That moment will always live in my heart as one of my first experiences as an artist and the kindness and support from a fellow artist helping some young kid get a little more attention on her endeavor to be a real artist one day will always bring a smile to my face. I made $11 that night, and I couldn’t have been happier about it. Couldn’t believe people wanted my art! (A feeling I still get when I sell a piece)

Please tell us about your art.
I primarily work in Oil paint and make Jewelry, but I play around with many different media and styles including chalk pastels, colored pencils, making dream catchers, tye dye and resin.

My paintings and drawings are typically based on nature, simple subject matter and bright colors. I paint a lot of flowers, animals, and landscapes. I am trying to get out of my typical controlled style and push myself to try new things with texture, brush strokes and composition. I want my art to invoke feeling and not just be pretty, so that means I have to try new things and push myself to find what I’m capable of as an artist.

My jewelry is normally a mixture of new supplies I purchase and recycled items I find at Goodwill or the occasional yard sale deconstruct and give new life. I make beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets, typically in a set. I use a lot of natural stone accents, quartz, sodalite, carnelian, and agates mostly. I have always been very big on matching the color of my jewelry to my outfit in my personal life, which is why I started making jewelry originally.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I think that success is something that will always be changing and evolving for me. Right now I feel successful when I make a sale or show up for a local event to showcase my work. Hopefully in the future success will be having a steady stream of commission work and making real money to sustain my life primarily from something I’m passionate about, which will take real commitment and persistence. I believe persistence and positive thinking is what is most essential as an artist, at least for myself. Being persistent in pushing myself to paint every day and to try something new in my work even if I hate it. Some of the work I was most unhappy with the final product was what people responded to and purchased, which is one of the many reasons I love art. Everyone has a different experience and perception of art and even the work you aren’t moved by doesn’t mean it won’t touch someone else on a deeper level and mean something to them.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I plan to vend at the Full Moon Festivals that are held once a month at different venues around Phoenix on a regular basis and hope to get more involved with Mesa and Chandler Downtown Art Showcases next season.

But for now, you can see my artwork in process on my Instagram- @studios.mayday or visit my Etsy shop MaydaystudioArt to purchase some of my work. I typically add new items at least every two weeks.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaydaystudioArt.

I can also be reached via email to discuss commission pieces. I love creating personalized art for people. I do a lot of pet portraits and fan art for comics, but I am willing to take on any endeavor! Studios.mayday@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Email: studios.mayday@gmail.com
• Instagram: @studios.mayday
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaydaystudioArt

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