Protest Posters In Space
Poster #1 - Truth - Love - Justice
It’s interesting to me that when I’m making art, I’m not thinking about the end result. I’m not interested in feedback or critique. It’s a process of momentum that almost feels as though it comes on like energy building in a boiling kettle.
Creativity, in some form or fashion, has always been my outlet and, now I’m finding, it’s likely always been my calling as well. I’ve been painting watercolors since 2022. No previous experience and I don’t fancy myself an illustrator. I was fortunate to benefit from a friend’s watercolor teachings and a generous supply kit they gifted me that got me on my way. I also had a purpose for painting - grief.
My sister was actively dying from cancer, the pandemic was raging in an almost silent and invisible way. I was in a self-isolation working from home in a new town. Painting became an outlet away from my computer and digital identity. I recall setting up a painting area across from my “working” desk. I decided one of the ways I could practice my painting was to do small abstract paintings. I would send one daily to my sister and ask her what she saw. It was a calm way to bond with someone that I had very strained connection with while waiting for a call to come walk them home. If you are estranged from any/all of your siblings, you might know the complexity that this experience brings.
After my sister died and in the following year, I used my painting as a way to channel many of the big emotions I was feeling. I started painting the universe shortly after the IDF again increased its genocidal aggression against Palestinians in October of 2023. I wanted a reminder of how small we are in comparison to war. At the same time, I joined as a volunteer on the Dr. Cornel West presidential campaign. For the first time in years, I felt a sliver of hope that maybe we could make a difference.
TRUTH LOVE JUSTICE
This painting was born out of a certain feeling of wanting to convey how small we are on this earth rock in relation to the universe. Additionally, I couldn’t stop listening to this song from Aliah Sheffield and considering: what if extraterrestrial life forces could see our protest posters in space? Cue: Protest Posters in Space - a series considering the messages for the moment that the entire human race, and potentially aliens, might consider.
Women In Art Exhibition
I’m excited to share that I’ve been accepted into my VERY first group art exhibition through the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Here is the write-up from the site linked:
”A Celebration of Female Artists in the Berkshires. 73 women artists will showcase their work for Women in Art, a group exhibition opening in March at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield. The show celebrates the creativity, perspectives and voices of women in the Berkshires working across all media. It aims to highlight the diversity of women’s artistic practices – bold or subtle, experimental or traditional.
The artists responded to a call for art from the Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development early in 2026. The call was open to women artists (cis and trans). Hundreds of pieces were submitted from across Berkshire County. The show features emerging and established artists across the Berkshires and showcases paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media, digital, fiber and more.”
New Website - New Endeavors
On the heels of being accepted into this show, I’ve also created a new website that you can visit and follow my artistic journey - MegCollier.art
As many of you who have followed this newsletter for a bit will know, I officially closed my coaching and consulting business in November of 2023. Since then, I’ve taken time to closely examine my relationship with capitalism, productivity, and ultimately labor. I’m fortunate to have been able to slow down over the past 6 months to offer my nervous system a reset. It’s clear to me that often the thing standing in between us and what we want is a shitty inequitable system of yt supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy - that never lets you rest. It ties us and binds us in ways that we have to claw daily for our survival - unless you have the resources.
My hope is that this new journey will yield more than I could possibly imagine in terms of unleashing more of my creative goodness and inspiration into the world. Who knows - maybe I’ll even take up a new craft. Stay tuned and sign up for updates to see how it all unfolds!
Thanks for being here,
Meg