“Beach Girl Monkey” by Meegan Boiros, 24” x 24” oil on canvas – This piece was commissioned for a vacation home in Perdido Key Beach, Florida to accompany a previously acquired “Boy Beach Monkey” with goggles and a snorkel. Meegan envisioned the girl monkey wearing a sailor dress and a crown of seashells, sea horses, and seaweed.

Meegan Boiros: Creating Art in a Different Way

BY JOAN S. PECK

I first met Meegan Boiros at a fundraiser for AIP – the nonprofit, Awareness is Prevention. I was drawn to her light, her beauty, and her femininity. I was lucky enough to sit beside her for dinner, where I had the opportunity to discover more about her. I learned that Meegan was an artist, using oils and acrylics to paint portraits of humans and dogs, in addition to still life. Since first meeting her, Meegan has shifted to a different way of expressing her creativity, and I was curious to know how she reached that point. To me, there is nothing more exciting than to see how artists express themselves unless it’s learning how they got started on their creative journey.

Meegan was born the fourth child of seven, with each child about one year apart, making their household noisy and busy. While still sleeping in a crib at a very young age, she would take a crayon and draw ghost-like figures on the wall beside her bed. In later years, her mother confirmed, “the little floating ghosts Meegan used to draw as a baby were very realistic with a head and wavy bottom.”

At home with six siblings, the art supplies were limited. Meegan was unsure about attending school and became excited about going to kindergarten only after discovering there were so many excellent, available art supplies that she was allowed to use. A whole new avenue for her creative nature became known to her. Yet, in school, Meegan was like many creatives. She’d sit at her desk with her mind wandering in the clouds, yearning to be outside painting rather than sitting inside. Art became Meegan’s escape from the confinement of walls and mean teachers.

This piece is the result of an offering Meegan did to create interest in her pet portraits during a well-attended luncheon event called F.I.O.R.E. at the Italian America Club.

One day, the kindergarten teacher asked each student to draw a picture depicting a family. Meegan pulled a large amount of paper from a roll and gathered some paint. She decided to paint a family of monkeys—a mommy, daddy, and baby monkey, including the private parts of their anatomy, which caused the teacher to call Meegan’s parents. Although they agreed that the drawing was excellent in its realism, it would not be hanging on display with the other children’s artwork on parents’ night at school.

Viewing Meegan’s artwork touched me when I came to her paintings of various dogs. They looked as if I could reach out and pet them. Knowing there is always a story behind each dog she painted, I asked: What is your favorite dog story?

MB: When I first began painting dogs, I wasn’t sure I could do them justice. Since I paint their portrait from a photo, I don’t necessarily meet the dogs in person. A woman sent me the only picture she had of her dog and asked me to paint his portrait. In the photo, the dog was sitting in an awkward position, which wouldn’t work well as a portrait. So, to paint a realistic picture of him in a better position, I went to the library and studied various pictures of dogs and their body angles so that I could paint Buddy’s portrait. Finally, after many hours and much fussing over it, I gave the woman her completed painting. Immediately, she burst into tears. I didn’t know if it was because she didn’t like what I’d done. She turned to me and said, “Buddy’s back. Buddy’s home again!” I had no idea that her dog had died, and my painting of him had brought him back to her. I then realized painting pet portraits is very rewarding as a very personal and meaningful form of art.

Like so many of us during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has given us time to contemplate where we are in life. I wondered if that was the impetus for Meegan to change how she was now painting differently.

“Euphoria” by Meegan Boiros

What has changed for you during this COVID-19 period?

MB: I have to admit that being confined to my home has been a good thing for me. As an artist, solitude is needed for me to create. During this unusual period of uncertainty, I changed my art from always trying to paint what I “see” to painting what I “feel,” and began to paint abstracts. The process was liberating.

I began to paint without overthinking what I was doing, feeling free to paint on the canvas without fear of making a mistake. I had some large canvases at home and began to make different strokes, experimenting with brushes, rollers, rags, and even my fingers to create what pleased me. I added and removed paint according to the effect I wanted to achieve. I was mostly surprised at how good it made me feel. I painted without feeling stressed or worried about what anyone else might think.

I want to create art with my truth of feeling, which might resonate with the viewer, showing something maybe they didn’t know they knew. Through art, we can connect and feel less alone. Painting abstract, for me, is practicing a nothing-to-lose mindset to explore all the possibilities.

I see that some of your artwork is a drawing of a metal design. What is the story behind them?

MB: “I wanted to paint how the iron designs were more than just functional. My attraction to the metal design comes from the memories of my time living close to New Orleans for over 11 years. The French Quarter is full of history. The architecture is so beautiful, and I loved the wrought-iron balconies and gates. The iron has a delicate and lacey design yet is indestructible. I wondered how many people have seen and touched these graceful, intricate pieces through hundreds of years. I want to paint what I saw in the beauty of the wrought iron and the graceful shapes that have withstood every storm and remain. Each iron design is unique and brings out its own spirit.”

Meegan Boiros

What did you like best about art in New Orleans?

MB: “It was a haven for original art that hung everywhere! The walls were covered with original artwork hanging on them or by someone painting directly onto them. Often, the floors are covered with large painted canvases, and the houses are always filled with joyful, colorful original art. That is something we don’t see much of here in Las Vegas. I strongly believe that everyone deserves original art.”

Does that mean you don’t create giclées or copies of any kind?

MB: Although I understand that making giclees of my work would make it more affordable, I haven’t made copies of my paintings. I believe in the importance of original art. For example, the reproduction of a masterpiece is nice, but you feel the awe and magnificence when you stand in front of the original. I believe that in viewing an original piece, you are in the presence of the real work, the energy, the brush strokes, the vision. It’s a statement of creation that expresses a real moment in time. The viewer can step in and be part of the artist’s energy of creation. It’s not the same if it’s not the original art piece. It doesn’t have the same power. On the contrary, while working with my husband’s company, Legends of Art, I have sold hundreds of hand-embellished black and white giclees to British American and Princess Cruise Lines, as well as the Regis Gallerie and Gallerie Michelangelo here in Las Vegas.”

What do you miss most about the artwork in New Orleans?

MB: “One of the things I miss most about New Orleans is the joy of being surrounded by so much original art where they aren’t afraid to hang a mixture of styles. In general, people seem satisfied to have the same copied art pieces as many others. Since I believe art is an expression of self, I find it sad that so many people don’t think enough of themselves and their individuality to express themselves through art.”

Are you still teaching art?

MB: I have a five-star rating teaching private art lessons through an online venue called lessons.com. Lessons is a great online site to help you find the right tutor or professional. I have given private art lessons to over 25 students of all ages individually. I have taught from ages 6 to 91 years old. I try to guide each student to their unique style and potential. I also think it’s important to teach about master artists, their different styles, techniques, and most importantly, their stories of struggles and successes.

I know that you’ve worked with interior designers before. Are you still interested in continuing to do that?

MB: “I would love to work with an interior designer again, as I’ve done in the past. I love the challenge of creating art for a person’s home that brings out their unique spirit and represents who they are. I believe that most people know what they like and have their own vision. Why can’t you have the art you want? Some are cautious about asking an artist to paint something they envision or something they have always wanted to see in a painting. I love being able to create a dream or an idea, or a feeling on canvas. I will accept any commission to create a personal piece, loving that it will be something they will see each day, and it will bring them joy.

For example, a designer had a client who saw a small painting of an autumn forest landscape. The client loved the image but wished for two paintings made larger to hang in their home’s front entry. I painted the two large canvases to create a grand entrance.

I also was commissioned to replicate my version of a Japanese floral wallpaper a client loved but had to leave behind after moving here to Las Vegas from Short Hills, New Jersey. I painted three large canvases for the dining room. I have done hundreds of commissions for clients who want to “personalize” the art they want to around them.

“Your Unique Career Path” Book Cover by Meegan Boiros

I understand that you have painted a piece for an author to use as a book cover. Is that something you want to continue or expand?

“With more and more people writing books today, I’d love to paint more book covers and book illustrations. That’s always a challenge. I am a good listener and want to help portray what the author wants the reader to envision. Armen Alexanian contacted me to depict his vision for his book cover. He has a great mind and a lot of energy, and he knew exactly what he wanted. I emailed images, and he would reply with notes as we collaborated for the finished painting for the cover of his book, “Your Unique Career Path.”

What else have you done with your artwork?

Being an artist is more than a job—it’s who I am. I have painted 100s of commissions, including landscapes, still life, over 40 pet portraits, several portraits of people, historical buildings, floor canvases, murals, painted clothing, pillows, headboards, all kinds of furniture, and abstract paintings and book covers. I have painted several times for Nevada Writers Painted Stories. I painted live at this public event as an author reads an excerpt from their book. I wish that more event organizers would hire artists to paint live at an event because it creates and adds esthetics to elevate the room’s ambiance. I have donated dozens of paintings to several foundations and causes for fundraising, including The Animal Foundation who holds an annual event called Best In Show featuring their adoptable pets. I donated to Vanderpump Dog Foundation, which is a huge dog rescue organization based in Los Angeles. I worked with VPD’s Dr. John Sessa, an advocate for the humane treatment of dogs worldwide. Lisa Vanderpump, a restauranteur, author, actress, and television personality, has my painting of her beloved dog Binky Boo hanging in her home. I won the Award of Excellence with Conception Art, a global art collective that invited local artists to exhibit at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino in 2016.

I love art, and I was excited to see what Meegan created. When I first saw her artwork, Meegan’s exceptional talent overwhelmed me. In each of her paintings, I found a certain charisma—a sense of personality and beauty—that is extremely pleasing and satisfying. Her artistic gift is evident in each of her art pieces, and her versatility knows no boundaries. We both laughed as I went from her showing me a painting and me declaring it’s my favorite until I saw the next art piece and announced, “Oh, this is my favorite!” The truth is that I love them all, and I’m so glad to have met Meegan and be introduced to her glorious talent.

Learn more at:
meeganboirosfineart.com