Megan Gunden
I paint as a meditative practice. Even as a child my mom always would say how I would never sit still unless I was a drawing. And that’s still true today! I find that with the busy-ness of the day, I am rarely focused on what I am doing. I’m always thinking about ‘what’s next.’ When I paint, it allows me to focus on the act of creating. What I enjoy most about painting is generating those magical surprise moments that I wouldn’t be able to make intentionally. A slip of the wrist, an unpredictable splatter of paint. It not only provides a sense of joy and wonderment for me as an artist, but it also brings my pieces to life! I aim to create a sense of calmness, in spite of the unexpected. My body of work is composed of abstract paintings that play with feelings of connection and optimism, juxtaposed with highlights of darkness.
I have a bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History from Kalamazoo College. I am currently enrolled in the Cold Wax Academy with Jerry McLaughlin and Rebecca Crowell and mentored by Diana Fritzler. I’m inspired by Mark Rothko and Cy Twombly. I love their use of color and I especially enjoy Cy Twombly’s child-like mark making. I currently live and paint out of Denver, Colorado.