Meet Megan Elizabeth Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Elizabeth Miller.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Growing up as a wildlife enthusiast in the progressive San Francisco Bay Area and then ultimately relocating to Southern California, I was surrounded by extraordinary experiences which ultimately helped shape my art to be as colorful and substantial as it is today.

But let’s rewind just for a bit, back in 2009 I attended San Francisco State University with a declared Major in Art for just one year. Something inside of me clicked one day, and I listened to it, and switched gears. I changed my Major to Zoology and then soon left the University for something more exotic. From 2011-2013 I packed up all my things, moved to Southern California to attend Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management Program in Ventura County to become a professional Zookeeper and Educator. I have never been prouder of my school or my accomplishments until graduation day. I took one week off to visit family, then jumped right into a brand-new position as an educator for a private facility in Fallbrook, CA. After spending 3 years in the private sector of the animal industry, I decided to go big and work with a public and non-profit organization in Palm Desert where I spearheaded their Volunteer Animal Program, Wildlife on Wheels Outreach division as well as took care of more than 30 zoo ambassador animals.

Realizing that my passion for animals was never-ending, and that my current line of work did not allow me to devote more time to my other passion, art. I decided to take a break from Zookeeping. So, I quit my job, and took a bold jump into the void of the unfamiliar world of being a full-time artist.

Yes, of course I was nervous, because change is never easy. But life would be so mundane without risk, change, progression, and color, don’t you agree?!

So, I was starting from a clean slate, with no guaranteed paycheck every week, and I had to come up with something! Fortunately, my partner is quite a savvy entrepreneur and we accidentally started our own Small Business Solutions company. I ultimately took over majority of the responsibilities and have been slowly growing my client base. Small Business solutions has allowed me to work from home, still have a creative outlet in my “day job”, allows me paint whenever I want. I don’t think I could ever go back to working for someone else or another large organization again. I like my freedom and I’ll take the risk with it!

Please tell us about your art.
So these days I have dug my feet into the community around me and am currently on the Board for the Temecula Valley Art League, as well as a few committees for the MAC Arts council. I’m also a part of an amazing group of women, The Temecula Valley Badass Business Women, which serves as an amazing support group for female entrepreneurs. I utilize my skills as a graphic designer, and content creator to enhance the non-profits that promote art in the community as well as the entrepreneurs in the surrounding areas.

After allowing myself to spend more time devoted to my craft, I didn’t hesitate to create two separate businesses for my artistic vision. One I like to call “my other day job” where I paint commissioned pet portraits, murals, perform live wedding and event painting as well as host private and public paint parties all over California. This line of work is so beneficial to everyone involved: Not only do I get paid to do what I love, but I also partner with wildlife conservation organizations to help them raise funds to help them continue their amazing work out in the field (fundraising through paint parties and live event painting)…Lastly and most importantly, I also get to share my art with the world and bring color as well as enjoyment to others. That is what life is all about…

My other artistic endeavor is what I call my “night job” which is catered to the Fine Arts, and depicts strong narrative-based paintings from my own real-life experiences and those of my fellow animal champions, from wildlife heroes and rangers who are on the front lines and those who share their personal stories with me. The series is called On the Edge and is currently hung at its 3rd location at Midnight Jack Brewing in Oceanside, CA.

The reality is, that by 2050 over 50% of wildlife will be extinct, and I cannot imagine a world without such beautiful creatures. I believe that as inhabitants of this planet, we are obligated to take care of it, and protect those that cannot protect themselves.

From my Zookeeping career I have seen the outcome from poaching, wildlife trafficking, deforestation, pollution and general disregard for our flora and fauna. For example, animals that have been taken out of the wild, and are unwillingly placed into the black market to be sold as pets…I’ve been at the other end when smuggled animals were confiscated and ultimately ended up under my care at a permitted facility because they had nowhere else to go, their captors were punished or left unknown…but their life goes on in captivity for many reasons. Some cannot be re-released and some don’t even make it at all. The disregard for the health of our ecosystems has led us down a road where all we can do is conserve what we have left. I want future generations to be able to create loving connections with wildlife which ultimately leads them to conserve them, because, “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” (Baba Dioum, 1968.)

Not only am I devoted to saving animals from extinction through philanthropic donations, but also through educating and inviting the public to art exhibitions which raise awareness and cultivate action!

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Honestly, I believe that everyone is an artist. Yes everyone. It just depends to what degree of “artist” you are or aspire to be. So, with 7.6 Billion potential artists in the world…the biggest challenge facing artists today, is being seen and getting heard! And with everyone trying to be original, stay fresh and stay relevant, it can be quite challenging.

I think that if we were to break it down into different artist demographics, each one would have their own unique challenges. For example: The “Baby Boomer Artist”, probably in their late 50s to 60s, are challenged with their online presence. Since computers and social media arose late in the game for them, from what I have seen, the majority have a hard time adapting to this technology.

Another example would be the “New or Fresh Artists” (who have only been practicing art for 1-3 years) who are trying to create a style that is unique to them, that is not copied or has never been produced before. Yes, it is totally acceptable to copy from the masters and learn from them, but creating a completely unique style, that is all your own. That is what I believe most artists want for themselves. Some select artists have no problem with honing their style, as where others spend years and years perhaps never coming up with a particular style, but trying many along the way. Find your voice, be seen, be heard, and be unique!

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
If you’d like to purchase or commission my art please see the links below. Don’t forget to join my mailing lists for updates, new art releases, events, and specials please check these out:

My Fine Art:
Megan Elizabeth Fine Art
www.meganelizabethfineart.com
IG: @MeganElizabethFineArt
FB: /MeganElizabethFineArt

My Commissioned Art:
Miss Megan’s Studio
www.missmegansstudio.com
IG: @MissMegansStudio
FB: /MissMegansStudio

Temecula Valley Art League:
www.temeculavalleyartleague.com

MAC Arts Council:
www.MACarts.org

Facebook Group: Temecula Valley Badass Business Women. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to take interest in my art. Stay Colorful!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MeganElizabethFineArt.com & www.MissMegansStudio.com
• Phone: 760-527-3269
• Email: MeganElizabethFineArt@gmail.com & MissMegansStudio@gmail.com
• Instagram: @MeganElizabethFineArt & @MissMegansStudio
• Facebook: /MeganElizabethFineArt & /MissMegansStudio
• Other: TemeculaValleyArtLeague.com & MACarts.org

Image Credit:
Intertwined Conservation Corps Paint Party (1 Image) – Donald W. Veale

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here