I've had lots of different versions of my art tattooed onto fans and collectors alike, and it is always such a great honor to me.  For someone to want to permanently place a piece of my art on their body is the best compliment as an artist I can ever receive, nothing can top that!  So, when I found out that my daughter and a group of her friends all decided to tattoo my symbol "Embrace the Chaos" all at the same time I was completely blown away!  And to know that a celebrity of Marc Anthonys level of fame also received the tattoo at this "tattoo party"  was such a thrill!  Unknowingly hundreds of thousands of his fans have seen the tattoo, but I know, and am so amazed that he wanted to add this symbol to his collection of tattoos.  And incidentally his tattoo artist friend, Rafael Valdez, was there creating the tattoos, and got one as well :)

The "Embrace the Chaos" symbol is part of my enlightenment series where I have created a new set of symbols that empower us to find inspiration in everything around us.  MAD symbols are each designed with the intention to inspire and empower. Enso, the familiar circle of enlightenment, was the main source of inspiration for all of the circle symbols, and of course I added in my own special MAD touch.  The "Embrace the Chaos" symbol is about accepting what we cannot control, and instead controlling how we react.  Things are going to happen in all of our lives that create chaos and uncertainty, but we cannot let it control us, or let it bring us down.  We have to rise above and embrace it and know that it will be short lived; the chaos does not define us, we do.

Here are some other sources of inspiration and what they mean and how they are applied to my custom symbol designs below:

ZIBU | Means "listen within" from the zibu angelic language of symbols. Zibu angelic symbols were created by Debbie Zylstra Almstedt during a Reiki session in 2002. She claimed to have experienced a communication from a group of Angelic Guides. Each Zibu Angelic Symbol is an interpretation of a message from Angelic Guides.  A seemingly sub category of Celtic symbolism. 

​CELTIC | For centuries, Celtic symbols and signs held incredible power for the ancient Celts in every way of life.  The word "Celtic" refers to people who lived in Britain and Western Europe from 500 BC and 400 AD. Celts were of the Iron Age and lived in small villages which were led by warrior chiefs.
The written records remaining from the Celts of Europe are scant, therefore signs and symbols can be hard to determine and trace. Many facts come by way of the Romans, who conquered the Celtic lands during the rise of the Roman Empire.

REIKI | Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

If you would ever like to use any of these symbols as a tattoo please let me know and I would be happy to give permission, and would love to see the finished work!

A beautiful symbolic painting encouraging us to never give up faith and have the strength to carry through the tough times.  Life isn't always the easiest, but if we have strength, love and faith we can get through anything.  Don't ever give up believing that better things are waiting for you just around the corner, always strive to live "Your Best Life", day in and day out.

When life throws curve balls, we have to rely on our inner strength, faith and love for ourselves and from those around us.  Stay Strong and Hold Fast to all the positives in your life, they will help you overcome anything.  I hope this painting will inspire you to believe in yourself and love yourself as a shining beacon of strength and love to others.

As long as I can remember I have been drawn to art and have always had a pencil or brush in hand, it is undeniably who I am and my art comes from the very depths of my soul.  When I look at any of my art from over the years I feel enveloped with a sense of "coming home" as thought the art will safely wrap me in a comforting embrace and brings a feeling of calm and peace.

As the years have passed my art has evolved into deeper, more meaningful and thought provoking work. I feel drawn to create art that is bold and fun at first appearance, but when delved into one will find there is more going on than just pleasing colors and composition.  Within the art there are symbols that foster positivity and hope, that provide the viewer with a feeling of strength and the fulfillment of dreams.  

As an artist I want my art to have meaning and inspire viewers to be the best version of themselves, to reach deep within and find the strength and character to be who they were meant to be.  As I paint each new painting I am finding within my own self that I can do so much more than what I ever thought possible, that only my thoughts hold me back, and to learn to always turn those thoughts to the positive. My new art is teaching me that I am in control of my future, of whether or not my dreams come true, and of how my legacy of art will be perceived; and I hope with each brushstroke everyone who sees my art can find that same power within and be inspired to embrace their life and choices and go out and inspire and empower others through the power of "Art that Colors the Soul".

All the Best,
Megan ​

As you may have noticed over the past couple of years, I use more and more symbols in my art, some more subtle than others.  They are particularly obvious in my Abstract and EMPOWERED collections of paintings and drawings.  I want to share with you many of the symbols that you will see repeatedly used throughout my art as well as their meanings.  Some of the symbols are well know and others are one's that I've created myself that provide a particular mood and feeling to the artwork that lends to the positive, uplifting and inspiring message I hope my artwork always invokes.

You will also notice that some of the traditional symbols have been slightly modified to fit in with my own personal style :)  Like arrows added onto the end of straight lines, flip flopping the symbols, adding additional lines and outlines, etc. I've also taken symbols from numerous different religions, mythologies, and more...because I like to use that which fits in with the theme and mood of each painting.

ZIBU:
Means "listen within" from the zibu angelic language of symbols. Zibu angelic symbols were created by Debbie Zylstra Almstedt during a Reiki session in 2002. She claimed to have experienced a communication from a group of Angelic Guides. Each Zibu Angelic Symbol is an interpretation of a message from Angelic Guides.  A seemingly sub category of Celtic symbolism.

CELTIC:
​For centuries, Celtic symbols and signs held incredible power for the ancient Celts in every way of life.
The word "Celtic" refers to people who lived in Britain and Western Europe from 500 BC and 400 AD. Celts were of the Iron Age and lived in small villages which were led by warrior chiefs.
The written records remaining from the Celts of Europe are scant, therefore signs and symbols can be hard to determine and trace. Many facts come by way of the Romans, who conquered the Celtic lands during the rise of the Roman Empire.

Many of these different teachings and ways of life overlap one another as they have throughout the centuries. You will see these, and others as I find, and create, new inspirational symbols throughout my artwork.  I hope you enjoy looking for them and feeling inspired by the energy and life that they provide through my art.  I will add to this blog post as new symbols are introduced into my art.