Megan Matthieson is one of my favorite artists working online.
One of the reasons I find her work so powerful and compelling is that at 51 years of age, she is still putting herself out there in an edgy and vulnerable way.
The emotion present in her videos move me and make me uncomfortable–two qualities of true art.
The two other things I wanted to mention that inspire me about her videos, is the effort that she makes and the honesty that is present.
All of her videos are made in her house. She uses what she has, films herself, as well as edits herself. Mostly she holds her Flip camera and doesn’t use a tripod. She has taught herself iMovie.
It would be so easy to feel like it’s too much effort to make these videos. A sense of Who cares, No one watches them anyway type of mentality could easily take hold.
But there she is, using movement and costume and nature and music to express herself non-verbally. I find them refreshing for just that fact– it’s a different kind of online presence and communication style. Everyone is blogging away being experts or clever with their writing. Things can get a bit ho-hum.
And the other thing is that there is no means to an end kind of gain here. It’s not a product or an enticement to buy or hire. It’s simply her adding her voice to the collective expression.
I hope you feel moved by watching as well as inspired to give yourself this kind of permission.
Oh, and if you want to read about her process, click here to read her posts about what she is doing and why.
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I always look forward to her videos. Sometimes so raw, or poignant, or downright fun. Yes, she puts herself out there and I love that she does that. She helps me (I’m 53) from pulling in and shutting down and generally feeling that I’m too old to start something new. She gives me hope and makes me think that, “Yeah, I DO still have some life left in me. This is not the downward slope. Now find something that you’ve always wanted to do (and never did) and do it!” She’s a wonderful inspiration.
This is one of the most beautiful works of art I’ve seen in a while. It is not about the fact that she is 51 and being bold to do something like this at that age–it is that real artists are ageless and the raw creative power that is in them can come out anytime in such a way that we are all moved. Not only is she so expressive in her movement but she is a wonderful cinematographer!! Thanks for showing us her work!!
Thank you, Bindu, for giving Megan the spotlight….she wears it well, deosn’t she! I am Megan’s sister, famially and soully!! Megan is WAY younger than I, chronilogically, and yet, we have traded positions of teacher and student countless times for 50 years. Sometimes, because I am older and feeling “dated”(?), I think “Okay, NOW, she really has passed me by.” And within a day or two she will call with a question or need for support that allows me to reach into my quiver of remembered wisdom, and we have synched again. I love meeting my sister’s need and, at the same time, her request has gifted me…. helping me remember what I know.
Awesome Bindu, thanks for sharing!
Totally inspired! @MeganMatthieson Re: @binduwiles Fave Artists Post here: http://bit.ly/fqEuum
You are so lovely to share your space, I’m so honored. Thank you Bindu. xo
One @BinduWiles Favorite Artists Working Online http://t.co/yyyUXsV
so lovely and generous from my friend, @binduwiles. http://bit.ly/h0G5DI
One Of My Favorite Artists Working Online http://bit.ly/hCx0rY Why @binduwiles loves the "edgy, vulnerable" art of @MeganMatthieson
RT @coachcreative: One Of My Favorite Artists Working Online http://bit.ly/hCx0rY Why @binduwiles loves the "edgy, vulnerable" art of @M …
Totally awesome and present! Thank you for sharing!
-T