Inspiration can come from anywhere, and I can be influenced by what is going on around me as I create my art.  One of my most recent paintings "The Outpost"© was one such painting where I was influenced by the futuristic SyFY Channel, TV show, "The 100".  I love everything fantasy and science fiction, those were my favorite books to read growing up, and now I always have some kind of sci-fi or fantasy show, or movie, playing on my computer while I'm painting.  

The post-apocalyptic TV show "The 100", is about a futuristic world of humans fighting for survival in a world that can barely support life, or life as we used to know it. It has a very dark feel to it, but it also shows the resilience of human beings to survive no matter what happens to us, or around us. Plus, it has a very strong woman character for one of the leads, I love it when women are shown as strong and independent!  I've already watched all the episodes and looking forward to the next season, and I'm running out of shows to watch, so I can't wait, haha!!  

This painting started out with the idea of it being a cityscape, with this color theme, in my funky PoP Art style, but the more it came to life, the more it felt as though "The 100" had infused itself into the soul of the painting and makes me look beyond the colors and design into an uninhabited world waiting to come back to life.  Every time I look at this painting I feel as though I am looking at an abandoned city after a devastating, worldwide event took place. But, at the same time, it has bright colors that create a feeling of hope and promise that we can create a new world from the ashes and learn from our past mistakes.  

What do you feel when you look at "The Outpost"?

Not only is there an interesting story behind this painting, but it is HUGE!!  72"x48" on the remarkable Genie Canvas, perfect for that large wall waiting for a bold, unique piece of art.  Here are some mockups to give you an idea of the size and impact this painting would have in your home.

So excited and honored to have so many new followers each and every day on my Instagram account!  I am currently sitting right at 1,499 as I write this e-mail and thought the perfect way to celebrate this milestone would be to host an Instagram Giveaway!

I'm going to be giving away this limited, one of a kind 30"x40" metallic, signed print of "Blue Depths"© (value $300).  This design is from my new Limited Edition Collector's Series, and this was an artist's proof to see how the metallic paper would look, and it's fabulous!  I love how the metallic sheen makes the colors pop and be super vibrant.  This is the only print that will ever be made on metallic paper, in this size, and will come signed and dated by me :)

CONTEST RULES:  Follow me on INSTAGRAM, Like THIS Instagram Post (click on "this" to go to contest post), and for three extra entries you can tag three friends in the same post.

I will be randomly choosing one winner Wednesday evening, May 20th and announcing on Instagram. Thank you ALL so much for following along as I create new art and share it with all of you, YOU encourage and inspire me to always find new and creative ways of making art :)

Time for a new Mood Board!  As I sit here listening to my husband and his helper tearing down walls...literally, I'm kind of excited to be getting that much closer to actually being able to decorate our new home.  We are doing a complete cosmetic redo and removing some walls, making door openings larger, etc.  So lot's and lot's of work to be done before we get to the decorating stage, but...I can certainly do my research in the meantime, hehe :)

I LOVE everything beach inspired, and at the same time everything contemporary, so I thought it would be the perfect combination to create a little sitting area with a sophisticated coastal theme based off my sea shell and starfish prints; and I actually have a space in my home that might just be perfect for this board.  I hope you like it and it inspires you to create your own little "beachy" haven within your home :)

WHERE TO FIND THESE PRODUCTS:

FINE ART AMERICA:  "Sea Shore" & "Sea Shells" Prints and other products
OVERSTOCK:  Zoe Cream Leather Chair
SHOP.COM  Silver Starfish Table Top Decorations
WAYFAIR: Pillows - Turquoise Corals & Tide Pool
RUGS DIRECT:  Jaipur Cape Cod Throw Rug
LUXE DECOR: Starfish Plate
ALL MODERN:  Arteriors End Table
ALL MODERN: Stainless Steel Cubes 
PIER 1 IMPORTS: Conch Shell on Stand
WAYFAIR:  Mirror Accents

I have a tendency to always be moving and rearranging my studio to fit whatever style, size art I am working on.  And right now I have a brand new, oversized studio suite!! We just moved to a new house that needs a complete cosmetic redo, but first thing was to get my studio ready for work. 

It's absolutely perfect for any art I might be working on, and I get to have my office back in the same space again!  For the past few years I had the office space in a room next to the studio which isn't the most convenient.  Now, everything is all in one place and I even have a full bathroom and huge walk-in closet, my own little artist retreat :) But, I am having to share my closet space with my husband and I's clothes for the time being, while our regular closet is being worked on.  And I will be getting a new desk and some cabinets, so the look and feel of the studio will change once everything is finalized, but I don't mind, I'm just happy to have such a lovely space to work in.

Here's a quick little video tour of the current state of the studio, and now I'm going to break out that big blue tube and get to painting a new abstract PoP Art painting!!  (the blue tube houses the most amazing oversized canvases from Genie Canvas!)

I Love, Love, LOVE creating these little beauties!!  It is so much fun to create on small canvases, it's quick, refreshing and they are the perfect little paintings to add onto shelves, side tables, or hang on the wall as a grouping...they can go just about anywhere!

I've been doing several of these mini PoP Art paintings for my Morning Art Challenges, because they are so quick to do and get the creativity flowing. They are created on 6"x6" cradled boards so they can stand on their own or ready to hang on the wall ~ See all of the Mini PoP's Here.  Perfect for gift giving too :)

My most recently completed painting is from my "PoP of Love" Collection and it features a beautiful heart in rainbow colors with a butterfly to symbolize renewal and strength for those fighting the battle against Lyme disease.  The green butterfly body is a flowing green ribbon to help raise awareness for the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, a disease that can often take up to two years to be accurately diagnosed.  In the meantime the person suffering with the disease is left with unanswered questions and dealing with a disease that takes on many different characteristics.  

Patients are often misdiagnosed with other diseases that have similar symptoms, which causes Lyme Disease to go unchecked and untreated causing longer term damage.  Please be aware of the symptoms if you live in an area that has a history of ticks carrying Lyme Disease so that you can help yourself and other's avoid long term issues from the disease, that can often times be physically, mentally and emotionally debilitating .

I was inspired to paint this heart and butterfly painting after watching Yolanda Foster, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills TV fame, battle the disease.  For someone who clearly loves the outdoors, particularly riding her horses, it's a shame to see her struggle with such a disease and not be able to do the things that she loves.  It made me realize how lucky we are to have our health and how important it is to keep healthy and be aware of our bodies and when something is not right.  As someone who loves the outdoors and spends much of my time being close to nature, I can imagine what a hardship this must be for her and anyone battling the disease. 

I like to see this painting as one that inspires us to be aware of our bodies, minds and souls and to keep them healthy in whatever ways we can.  The bright, vibrant colors in "Inspire" are a form of color therapy that I hope when anyone looks at this painting it makes them feel good from the inside out.  The colors PoP and breathe life and happiness into our souls.

I also created this beautiful green ribbon below to help raise awareness for Lyme Disease.  I want to help other's to be strong and fight against this horrible disease, and the best way I can do that is by painting and creating art that will help raise awareness.  

Feel free to share the ribbon below to show your strength, courage and support to help raise awareness for Lyme Disease, please be sure to attribute me as the artist and link back to this website, thank you!!  Only for personal use to share on social media, cannot be reproduced in any way shape or form without permission from Megan Duncanson©