Meagan O’Brien at her mural "“Hello Allston,” Acrylic Paint, 14'x8'.
“Say No More”, Ananda Toulon
“Leafy Seadragon,” Taryn Johnson
“Walrus,” Taryn Johnson
Ananda Toulon: Exploring Inner Life
What drives you to make art?
My drive for art lies within my lust for life. Every piece I make has a bit of relief, a joke, a story, the appreciation and trails of a journey. I make art but not lightly. In crafting I let my emotions channel a path for me to understand current frustrations and appreciations. I look at my canvas like a vision board. I find my drive in incubation, and when it doesn’t come naturally, I try to be more present. A lot of my themes and subject matter come from the adoration of things around me. Like cooking—the best meals are made with love, and love doesn’t have to be complex and pained.
How long have you been making art? What's that path been like?
I’ve always made art, even as a little kid, but for the past 7 years have been more guided. It’s been a path of finding my voice, through rejection and redirection. The opportunities that come across my path now are ones I’m prepared for, and they allow me to take a chance on myself. I used to be really quiet and timid but now I find myself more centered; art has been healing for me for a long time and has been a great way for me to find my tribe of creatives!
Who is one of your favorite local or regional artists (any medium)? How come?
My favorite local artists are people in my community who embody their practice; whether that be painting, spray paint or mixed media, these are all folks who paint with their heart. I’ve learned a lot from PHEEBZ, TAKE1, Gofive, Narvicto DeJesus, and Free Marseille. I’ve worked with these artists, and have seen them shine and receive attention in the commercial spaces of art.
If you could only have one art tool, what would it be?
If I could only have one tool, it would be my mind. That’s where all the ideas and drive are; anything can be used to create if you’re resourceful enough. I am not partial to paper and paint, but I like to experience and experiment with my materials.
Do you have a favorite of the art you have made? What's one thing about it you love?
My favorite painting so far is my life-size self-portrait [above], which was also a shout-out to people very meaningful and unconditionally supportive towards me through my journey of uncertainty over the last year. All of my paintings have something I enjoy, from dancing veggies to little skulls, but this one takes the cake for having my favorite people.
What's one of your favorite things (other than ACM!) about Medford? (place to hang out, hiking area, restaurant, etc.)
There is this little Jamaican food truck that parks down the street, it’s like an island oasis on a winter walk. If you ever see it, definitely get the mango jerk chicken!
What’s your dream creative project?
My next project might be making a portfolio for tattoo flash, returning to my roots in watercolor. I like to do very complex things, so retraining my brain around bolder and simpler designs/themes is a nice challenge for me!
What's something that people might not know about you?
I spend my free time observing. I love a sense of relief, and a good tale or a hot take. I also love good food! One of my favorite things to do is hear a good story, bonus points if it is through a standup comedy set.
What do you like to do when you're not making your art?
I like long walks on the beach, just kidding.
I like to spend time with my friends; I’ve been fiddling with this little film camera lately, so when it’s not art it’s memory keeping!
What is one of the things you most like about ACM?
Regina Parkinson [ACM’s executive director]—she’s the best!*
What has receiving a Louise Musto-Choate Scholarship allowed you to accomplish or try out that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise?
The studio gives me space to organize my prints, stickers, and postcards ahead of markets. Having the space gives me structure to help me streamline my ideas, and because I’m more organized I get better feedback in public markets. Since being at ACM, I’ve been a vendor at nine markets!
*Ananda was not paid to say this!
Surfer-Painter Taryn Johnson
ACM: Hi Taryn! We’d like to start off with something we ask all our artists: Why do you make art?
TJ: I make art for the joy of exploring shapes, celebrating color, and sharing my playful appreciation of nature.
ACM: Who is one of your favorite local artists?
TJ: I am loving the work Christine Jozitis has been doing with Fern Grove Creative. She makes wearable art using found foliage and alternative process photography techniques on upcycled clothing. I admire how committed she is to sustainability and reducing environmental impact, and how technical and precise she is with her printing methods. Her work honors nature both visually and through its ethical creation. Each piece she creates is so beautiful, unique, and functional.
ACM: If you could only have one art tool, what would it be?
TJ: Probably my computer & stylus but otherwise, a black MUJI Gel Ink pen (with paper too!)
ACM: Do you have a favorite work of art you’ve made?
TJ: Several years back I did a 100-Day Project during which I drew one fish a day for 100 days. Some of the paintings from that project I still consider some of the best work I’ve done! Counterintuitively, the time constraint was liberating. I was able to create and move on to the next piece without overthinking the details. It was such a joy building the shapes of the fish and playing with color and texture without any expectation other than creating something new each day.
ACM: What’s your dream creative project?
TJ: My dream projects have always been the intersection of marine science and art. Illustrating ocean life, designing ecology infographics, or working with aquariums or non-profits to create visuals that are both educational and joyful. I love to spark in others the same sense of wonder and curiosity for our natural world that I feel when I am learning about the ocean and wildlife. I’d love to write and illustrate my own books around marine life, or work with scientists to create content for the public.
ACM: What's something fun that people might not know about you?
TJ: I love to surf! I surf in New England all year long (yes, even in the winter!) I also spend a lot of my time backcountry skiing in the mountains when there is snow.
ACM: Could you share one of the things you most like about ACM?
TJ: I love how committed ACM is to building community and supporting the arts. Everyone truly seems committed to the mission of supporting creativity and culture. There is always a diverse range of cultural, educational, or art events going on – I never know what will be happening in the lobby when I come in to create, and that’s a lot of fun!
Interested in owning some of Taryn’s art? You can buy many of her illustrations as digital prints, pins, stickers, and wearables from her Etsy store: tarynmakes.
Allison Rabin: Painter & Mixed-Media Artist
Allison is a lovely gentle soul who is turning out an amazing number of thoughtful, deeply felt portraits in her ACM studio. Although she is focusing on painting currently, she has also made a number of stunning embroidered pieces and a large series of mosaics made from beach finds. Here’s our interview with Allison at the start of 2025.
ACM: Why do you make art?
AR: I have always made art. Creating something that did not exist before feels like magic to me. (And we feel like this statement is magic too.)
ACM: Who is one of your favorite local artists (any medium)? How come?
AR: I really enjoy the "Not Art" guy. Seeing his work around town jolts me out of the humdrum of a day and makes me laugh. I am also a big fan of the artists at Outside the Lines Studio in Medford.
ACM: If you could only have one art tool, what would it be?
AR: A paintbrush. I use acrylics, but have enjoyed oil and encaustic painting in the past.
ACM: Do you have a favorite work of art you have made? What's one thing about it you love?
AR: One summer I spent months working on doing embroidery over a painting. It is based on a painting by Egon Schiele, and I am proud of sticking with it and finishing it, despite the over 100 hours it took. (photo below)
ACM: Describe your dream creative project!
AR: I have been into making portraits for a long time. I am interested in collaborating with an artist in a different media to make a portrait from non-traditional material, like mosaic.
ACM: What's something fun that people might not know about you?
AR: I have a twin, I love pugs, and I am from Evanston, Illinois.
ACM: What is one of the things you most like about ACM?
AR: There is a quote about how inspiration can come at any time, but it needs to find you working. I love coming in to the studio and seeing other artists busy at work.
You can see Allison’s embroidery in ACM’s exhibition The Threads That Tie Us, through March 28, 2025.
“Lucia,” by Allison Stroh. Acrylic on canvas, 16"x 20", sold.
“After Egon Schiele's Hafen von Triest”, by Allison Rabin. Acrylic on canvas, 16"x 20", not for sale
“Swan Boats at the Boston Public Gardens”, print by Meagan O’Brien.
O Hello Boston: Meet Meagan O’Brien!
Meagan is one of our first Studio Artists, and an amazing illustrator, muralist (see Medford’s own Condon Shell), and connector. She reserves her ACM studio for growing her awesome illustration business. Although she does a lot of really BIG art in mural form, she says the one tool she can’t live without is a PENCIL—which makes perfect sense given her fun, colorful, local cards, posters, and other small works.
We’re so delighted that Meagan chose ACM! In her words, “ACM is such a wonderful place to hang out! There are so many weekly events and fun happenings. I'm a big fan of the Director, Regina Parkinson. She's a delight to be around and I really believe and appreciate the vision she has for ACM, her collaborative spirit, and the joy she is bringing to the Medford community. I feel like ACM is at a really special moment where if you have any idea at all - not even necessarily art related - we're willing to welcome in all of them! It's really wonderful to be a part of the start of this community.”
Meagan has hosted her own Let’s Hang in her studio, an recurring evening where creative folks can gather to sketch, crochet, read, chat, or just hang out. It’s a lovely time, and you are welcome to join in.
And we love Meagan’s upbeat spirit: “Art is everything. I make it to collect memories, bring joy, and celebrate life!”
Check out Meagan’s illustration work at https://ohelloboston.com