Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maggie Merkow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Maggie, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I am an artist. I am always creating and making things. It is different every day. I keep my creativity alive by doing projects and thinking about completing them. If I don’t have a project I get a bit down. Then i start up again as soon as I think of a new project.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been painting for a long time and taking photos for about 30 years. My style of painting changes frequently. Usually by a spark of inspiration. I have never been able to predict what style comes next or how long a period will last..
Currently I enjoy Intuitive Painting-painting starting in a void and just putting down the paint. I completed two 6’X4’ paintings recently.
I spent a part of the summer teaching myself eco dying-transferring colors from flowers onto fabric. I successfully made some tea towels.
I am in a photo show at Praxis Photo Center, Minneapolis, MN. My work is images of flowers/pinecones from my property. They are part of a series of flowers picked and photographed from my garden starting in 2022. It is a diary of sorts.
I am learning to teach Nature Journaling and tonight I taught a class of about 15 people.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Just follow your inspiration.
Never criticize yourself.
Negative learning is learning from mistakes. It is still learning..
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
My biggest challenge is what yo do with decades of art in my basement. I don’t know how to resolve it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Maggiemerkow.com
Image Credits
All images are by myself
