Meet Alison Meaney

We recently connected with Alison Meaney and have shared our conversation below.

Alison , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Travel plays a huge role in keeping my creativity alive; seeing new places and cultures fuels my imagination. Similarly, I love learning new skills as an adult, which keeps me adaptable, humble, and open to new ideas.

On a more practical level, organizing my art supplies and notes to myself helps to mentally connect the dots and at least put a hypothetical plan in place. I also make it a point to explore other artists’ work for inspiration and fresh perspectives.

I ultimately remind myself that I have a finite amount of time in this body, which motivates me to keep creating and engaging in the one magic thing I can do.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My artistic brand is rooted in a deep connection with natural imagery, expressed through both painting and mosaic. I live Chicago, the land of graffiti and Frank Lloyd Wright, which may explain my affinity for sharp edges and bold lines. I often work with glass, creating mosaics which are both delicate and structurally robust.

Recently, I’ve been exploring the exciting challenge of merging painting and mosaic, blending fluid, painterly qualities with the precision and texture of mosaic work. The result is dynamic, with vivid colors and a layered complexity that speaks to the harmony between organic forms and geometric precision.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my artistic journey include my tendency to say yes, staying curious, and being a good and humble listener.

Partially due to starving artist-driven necessity, a willingness to say yes to opportunities I may not be fully qualified for had a huge impact on my creative journey. While it got me into some trouble, it also allowed me to surprise myself, rising to the occasion and creating work I didn’t know I was capable of. Taking risks and stepping into the unknown has been a significant part of my growth as an artist. I would advise other artists to be open to getting their asses kicked.

Similarly, staying curious fueled my exploration of new tools and techniques, which expanded the dialogue between myself, the materials, and the stories I can tell through my art. The tool library in my community offers supply rentals that are basically free, and the staff will walk you through how to use everything for your specific application. Additionally, if you’re willing to commit to an unpaid internship, you can pick up a bunch of skills without having to pay to take a class.

Finally and importantly, making connections through direct communication with other artists and people I admire has been transformative as an artist and as a flawed human. I learned the value of observation and active listening as a child from sitting with my artist grandmother, studying her favorite artwork. I also learned to fundamentally see the world differently under the guidance of a talented high school teacher. Listening and being a person is hard, but we’re on this Earth to make connections, so even as an introvert, it’s worth the effort every time.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m interested in creating large-scale public art, I’d love to create a mural which integrates mosaic into the painted design.

I am open to collaborating around the image; for example I could tackle the mosaic work and another artist would create the painting. I am open to partner with someone who could benefit from having the art installed onto their property as well.

You can contact me through my website, Alisonmeaney.com or through my social media (@alisonmeaneyart on instagram and Alison Meaney on Facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alisonmeaney.com/
• Instagram: https://alisonmeaney.com/