Megan Buccere is a narrative painter originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Megan currently resides in Zachary, a small suburb outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she’s been teaching advanced high school art for the past 21 years.

Megan’s painting style features soft surreal subjects that blur the line between beauty and fear. She says work is constantly evolving. She loves to explore new concepts and subjects and at the same time she finds herself (especially lately) looking to her older work from 20 years ago for new inspiration. “I painted with watercolor almost exclusively for years. My subjects were mostly plant life and a few animals. I didn’t begin with figurative work until I began teaching talented art about 9 years ago. My students needed me to be able to help them and guide them with figurative work so I dove in as a way to better teach them. I began expanding my use of mediums, such as sculpting. I teach ceramics as well. Many artists who are well known have a very consistent subject and style which is widely important for collectors. My main issue is that, as an art teacher, I usually want to jump around with mediums and subjects. I think I’ve finally found a happy place for my work now as it’s divided into 2 areas: figurative pastel works, and more nature based pieces with a darker edge to them.”

Megan says, “art was always my ‘thing’ from as young as I can remember. My grandmother in Tennessee actually got me into private art lessons as early as kindergarten. When I moved to Louisiana I had an exceptional high school art teacher, Donna Soniat, who was a phenomenal motivator and really helped me with career choices. I had initially gone to school (LSU) for studio arts and my intention was to become a museum curator. As classes went on many of my art friends kept remarking that I had really helped them understand this project or that project and perhaps I should teach. I switched my major to art education and have been teaching ever since.”

Teaching has been especially challenging during the Covid 19 lockdown. Megan shares, “As a high school art teacher it has been extremely difficult this year. I’ve had to learn how to teach online as well as in person. Teaching art classes to students who are both in class and virtual at the same time has been a huge challenge. In Louisiana we have been in school almost all year and had to transition back and forth from virtual to in person to blended classes. It has been the most difficult year I’ve had. I haven’t felt as creative this year either. I don’t think I ever realized how much being around other humans really does affect the creative process. Things are looking up now and I have some fabulous shows I’m a part of coming this summer.”

In addition to paintings and sculpture, Megan also works continuously on her "oracle series" that focuses on animals and their spiritual connection to humans. She is also working on completing a second edition of her Obsidian Oracle Deck. The Black Edition Obsidian Oracle Deck, will be released to the public in July of this year. Megan will be participating in several exhibitions at Antler Gallery including their “Poison Garden” and “Unnatural Histories” shows.

Follow Megan on Instagram or visit www.meganbuccere.com.