Today we’d like to introduce you to Maegan Kirschner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Maegan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am an artist that uses industrial and recyclable materials to create art work that is considered mixed media. Paints, papers, and metal become expressive parts of the overall project. All of my work is of the abstract genre and becomes fluid as it is conceived. The work focuses on canvas being the base, but I branch out to sculpture pieces as well. I have multiple sclerosis (MS) which can create a challenge physically creating the work. The process of thinking out a project to physically creating allows an outlet for physical, mental, and cognitive therapy in living with MS.
The exhibition contains the works that represent the circle and how it is a beginning, ending, and completion of all things in life. Love, heartache, memories, and faith all come full circle to make us who we are. The soul is a circle that either grows outward or inward based on life experiences. The artworks invite the viewer into the world of the wife of a disabled veteran raising six children while living with MS, maintaining their faith and life circle throughout the journey. Depth and texture in the works pull the observer into the painting creating a wave of emotions as they explore the depth and textures that stir memories and connections in their own life circle experiences. We cannot be circumspect in this rawness of feelings, but must embrace the pieces and let the tears flow or the laughter burst from our bliss.
The vision of my work is to create depth and texture that causes the audience to dive in and immerse themselves into the piece to fully connect with the emotions and messages within each artwork. Paper, paint, metal, glass, and other media are transformed into circles that lead to a completed story. Secret messages to my husband also create interesting adventures for the viewer as they try to understand a complicated and faithful love story. The entire exhibition is tied together by circles, but moods and feelings change with each piece due to colors, sizes of canvas, and materials involved in the artistic process.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the struggles for my work have been starting back into the artworld at an older age than most. I took 15 years off from serious creation to raise my children. Four years ago I started teaching children art and soon realized how much I missed it. I took a leap and entered a contest and won. From there it has been my full time passion.
AMK Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
AMK Studio is based at my hobby farm and my husband, Brandon is my partner in all my work. He hand makes stretchers and canvas for me and then completes them with black backing and wire for shows. Hand stretched canvas is an art form in itself and we gesso and hand sand all our handmade canvas. We also give the option to gesso and sand them yourself.
I specialize in large mixed media pieces, and a running theme of circles. The texture and colors in my pieces draw the observer in as they try to find my story and feel their own within the work.
We are super proud and thankful for the partnership we have and the friendships we make with artists as we work together to curate and hang shows at the Texas Visual Arts Association Gallery at the Plaza of the Americas.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
If a piece fills me with joy, sorrow, peace, and many other emotions then it is a success. When a person comes to me and tells me how the piece made them step into another place and experience an emotion then that is a success too. I love to hear the feedback and know they felt something within their heart and stirred thoughts in their mind.
I want the pieces to allow an experience for each viewer, and remind them of life memories.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 940-999-1368
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MaeganKirschnerAMKSTUDIO/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMK-Studio-447913532251545/?ref=br_rs
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