Teefury

Thanks to Megan Lara's Facebook fans for these excellent interview questions!

Your most inspiring media?
Oil paints are my favourite media to work in, but also the most time-consuming.  I like to work quick and get things done, so I usually just stick with digital.

How long does it take for an idea to become reality, what is your general work routine for a standard art piece?
Oh, jeez, those nouveau pieces take like 15-20 hours or so.  Other designs typically take a little bit less.  My routine is usually to thumbnail something small and low-res, find some helpful references, mash them up in a similar design, and then draw a more refined design using the references to help me.  I don't draw anything on paper--I just do it all in photoshop.

If you could pick only ONE fandom to draw/paint from for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oh jeez.  I'd say Firefly, but there's only one season.  So I'll say Battlestar Galactica, just 'cause there's more there.  :)

How old were you when you realised you wanted to do an art based career?
I think I was four when I told my mom I wanted to be a painter!  Well, a painter and a professional softball player.

Did your parents ever say 'get a real job'?
Never!  My parents have always been extremely supported and have never suggested I deviate from my artistic path.

Do you prefer working digitally or real paint?
As far as work-related art, definitely digital.  It's easier to fix and cheaper.  There is nothing more fun and relaxing than painting with actual paint, though.  Love it.

Your advice for other artists trying to start out on sites like Teefury and Ript?
Figure out the demographic each site caters to, first.  Teefury, Woot, Qwertee, Ript, Threadless all have a a different audience that you need to appeal to.  Look at past designs and get an idea, but don't do stuff that's *too* similar.  Sites like TF want to keep a variety.  Once you get started on your design, make sure you learn about the shirt printing process a little bit.  CMYK printing, colour limitations, halftones, etc.  And don't be afraid to ask questions and see what you could be doing better.

What music do you listen to while working?
I almost never listen to music.  I watch a TON of Netflix. :) I just finished watching Torchwood and Community, and am thinking of rewatching Battlestar Galactica. :)

Which Firefly/Serenity character would you be?
Kaylee, no doubt.  She is just relentlessly happy, and I'm pretty much like that.  It takes a lot to get me down.

Of all your ideas for art projects, what proportion do you see through to completion, and what proportion are crumpled wads tossed in the trash (or recycling bin) because they're unworkable or not meeting your expectations? How and at what point in the process do you decide?
I'd say I finish approximately 90% of the work I start.  I usually start to hate projects when I'm about 30% done, but I always try to push through, unless I *know* it's absolutely terrible, haha.  I can usually tell if it's not going how I want after I start to lay down colour.  If the colour isn't working, then the whole thing probably isn't going to.

Links to my stuff:
Website:  http://www.meganlara.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mLARAart