M.Lyn Arts invites the community to the historic Blackbeard’s Castle from Aug. 29-31, for a three-night art exhibition, showcasing her latest paintings highlighting dynamic colors, textures, and storytelling. Running nightly from 5 p.m.to 9 p.m., the display will feature original paintings and new creative works that weave together personal experiences, cultural insights, and the complexity of human emotion.
Meg Lyn, the talented artist behind M.Lyn Arts, views this showcase as an intimate exploration of life’s complexities. “The show is an examination of the high peaks and low valleys of the human existence. A good example of this can be found in my piece ‘The Price of Paradise,’ where I use my best friend’s rent receipts as the background of the artwork. We have both shared the experience of having landlords not return our deposit when vacating our apartments, and I wanted to turn that pain and financial loss into something beautiful. Last year, I sold a similar piece and then gave the proceeds back to the person whose receipts I used. It is my way of reclaiming something that was unfairly taken,” explains M.Lyn Arts.
For M.Lyn Arts, the creative process is compounded, sometimes beginning with the first few layers of the canvas with a mood that is symbolized through a multi-textured approach, often including elements of gold and copper leaf, organic materials, and spray paint. Once the background is developed, the subject of the painting takes shape. “Inspiration for my work comes in different ways; sometimes it’s a brightly colored building in the midst of chaos, and sometimes it’s a personal revolution I need to convey. Inspiration comes in unlikely places, most often from a quote, a person, an expression. All my art has a deeper meaning, or it’s not worth painting,” says M.Lyn Arts.
Life in the Virgin Islands has played an essential role in the evolution of M.Lyn Arts. Though growing up in New Jersey, summers were spent on St. Thomas with her grandparents. “I’ve lived here consecutively since 2011, and my art would not be what it is today without the influence of my Virgin Islands community. There is something special about being enveloped in the natural world every day and getting to use inspiration from this beauty to weave powerful stories in my art. Just as the natural world is resilient, so are the people,” says M.Lyn Arts.
“Eight years ago, I realized that I was falling out of love with painting because my work was centered around pleasing people. Now I paint what I want, pieces that process life or make peace with it. The connection made with my community through this work is priceless,” says M.Lyn Arts.
Visitors to the show can expect to see more than just paintings. This exhibition will also feature hand-sculpted ornaments, jewelry dishes made from natural shells, miniature “emotional support monsters,” micro mosaics, incense burners, and goat skull mosaics. Opening night will also include live music, entertainment, and a handful of surprises. A free shuttle service from the Fort Christian parking lot will also be offered on opening night, Aug. 29.
“I want people to know they are not alone as they connect with my work. The mess of life is necessary because without mud, there can be no lotus,” says M.Lyn Arts.
For those unable to attend the exhibition in person, a virtual showing will take place on Aug. 29 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering an exclusive opportunity to view and purchase available works.
If anyone has any questions, M.Lyn Arts can be reached at mlynarts@gmail.com.
