Meet Meghan, the visionary behind La Marée Art, who merges the rugged charm of Maine’s coastline with the tranquil allure of the Mediterranean in her stunning epoxy-resin creations. Her artistic journey, sparked by a lifelong passion for hands-on expression, took a transformative turn when she discovered epoxy resin. Despite facing early challenges and multiple failed attempts, Meghan's perseverance led to a breakthrough that marked the beginning of La Marée Art. Today, her work showcases a unique blend of New England and French Riviera influences.
With her woodworking, Meghan aims to defy stereotypes and highlight the importance of creative innovation and environmental responsibility. Her story is a powerful example of how dedication and creativity can redefine artistic boundaries and make a meaningful impact on both the craft and the community.
Could you please introduce yourself and briefly overview your background as a maker/artist?
My name is Meghan! Since I was little I have always loved art as a way of expression - particularly working with my hands in any capacity. I started La Marée after finding myself at a bit of a crossroads, I turned to a new and exciting medium - epoxy. I was very intrigued by the sights of a river table and was determined to figure out what other cool things could be done with epoxy. The first piece I ever created with epoxy was an absolute disaster. So was the second, the third, the fifth, the eighth, and the twentieth! Since the internet was not bombarded with resin videos at the time, it was purely trial and error. FINALLY, just as I was about to give up - what felt like the 100th try - came out pretty darn cool. Things snowballed from there and thus La Marée Art was born!
How has your background or experiences outside of the arts influenced your creative approach or the projects you pursue?
After college, I moved out to Southern France to study. I often found myself sitting in the sand of the calm, warm, turquoise Mediterranean. It is the combination of these waters and the New England coastline - that I grew up on - that has had the greatest impact on my vision for La Marée.
In what ways do you incorporate sustainability or eco-conscious practices into your projects?
We have a "no wood waste" project in the workshop where we focus on using as much of the tree as possible. This means even the cutoff "scraps" are upcycled into new serving boards or coasters! This is unique in that it makes each piece entirely one of a kind. It allows us to mix woods effortlessly and create designs that would otherwise be incredibly difficult. With these efforts in place, we have virtually no waste in the wood shop!
What role do mistakes or "happy accidents" play in your creative process? Can you recall a time when a mistake led to an unexpected and positive outcome?
Yes! Our signature whale tail is actually the product of a mistake - After a large lumber shipment, I asked an assistant to cut planks at a specific length but there was a miscommunication along the way and we ended up with A LOT of wood cut 4 inches too long. In an attempt to not have to trim down and waste what had already been cut, I started playing with ideas of new shapes. Having already cut a very large whale tail board, I was eager to see if it could be scaled down to this smaller size. And VOILA! Our best selling whale tail was born! Since then I've expanded this board into multiple sizes where they can be found at LLBean, throughout coastal Maine galleries, and online at Uncommon Goods!
Do you have any favorite tools or techniques you frequently use in your projects? Why do you enjoy working with them?
My favorite tool is by far the jigsaw! I feel like I can cut anything with that tool. It allows me so much creative freedom in my work.
How do you approach experimenting with new materials or techniques in your projects? Are there any materials or techniques you're currently excited to explore further?
I love experimenting! Playing with new tools, materials, and techniques is the quickest way to grow. I've discovered a lot of ways not to do things as well as designed countless pieces this way. It's the best way to let your mind run with an idea and keep running with it or take an abrupt right turn! I'm always experimenting and testing the limits of TotalBoat!!
As a TotalBoat ambassador, how has using TotalBoat products enhanced your projects? Are there any specific products that have become indispensable in your workshop?
TotalBoat ThickSet and TableTop have both become indispensable in the workshop! I use ThickSet in projects that require a deep fill with high clarity like my coasters, oyster boards, anything with florals... I use TableTop for everything that is ocean and beyond!
Can you describe a challenging project or obstacle you've encountered during your journey as a maker? How did you overcome it?
Women with power tools seem to still be a "new" concept for some people. A constant struggle I face with my business is people asking me "Who does your woodworking though?" As if it couldn't be me because I don't fit the stereotypical profile. I find myself making constant references to my social media account where there are videos of "PROOF" that I know how to use more than a screwdriver. It is these constant shreds of doubt that somehow I can't possibly be the artist and the woodworker that keep me wanting to learn more and add to my plethora of tool knowledge. I bought a CNC machine a few years ago and have always had female assistants in the workshop. It empowering to break the stereotypes and to do it so well!
What role does technology play in your practice? Are there any digital tools or software that you find particularly useful?
I recently became versed in CNC machining! We have a large CNC machine in the shop (her name is Big Barb) and it's been magical! It's quite the learning curve since there are so many functions and rad things it can do, but a fun process. With the CNC machine, I am able to offer customized engraved messages, names, and even clipart. When we need a very specific shape cut out (our most recent request was a cow), we can do so very accurately with the CNC. Yet another stereotype that these large cutting machines are largely dominated by men, but not here in our shop!!
As someone who shares their work online, what impact do you hope to have on your audience or the maker community as a whole?
The moment I stopped watching what everyone else was doing and started following my creative intuition was when my business took off. It's easy to get caught up in the trends of social media and wanting to do what everyone else is doing but in doing so, you lose your own creative signature - it becomes a constant battle to keep up. By focusing on my own creative projects, I never experience this feeling of being behind or needing to do more!
Can you describe a dream project or collaboration that you aspire to undertake in the future? What makes it so compelling to you?
I would LOVE to collaborate in some way with Dewalt Tools. My entire shop is almost exclusively black and yellow! I've been using Dewalt tools since I started with just a drill and a palm sander - now when you come into my shop, you'll see the words "Dewalt" on every tool we use! I would love to collaborate with these guys because they have such a minor female presence in their marketing and I think now more than ever, women are using all the same tools as these men in the advertisements are arguably, even better than them! I want to show all the other ladies out there that were once like me with just an old drill and a dusty sander, that you can learn to use tools at any point and you can use them well to build some cool sh*t!!
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to get started working with epoxy?
It's really hard! It can be very discouraging at first to make art with epoxy since it's such a fluid medium and how you leave it, isn't always how it cures. Persistence and experimentation is key - you have to play to know what you can and can't do with the medium. You have to make mistakes in order to learn how to fix them! Stick with it, it's worth it.
ThickSet Deep Pour Epoxy Resin Kits
ThickSet Fathom Deep Pour Epoxy Resin
MakerPoxy Ocean Serving Board Class Kit
