By Ashley Etter
Staff Writer
She wore high heels made out of nails to a gallery opening. She uses bright colors with wide brushstrokes and loves to create sculptures made out of recycled materials. She is president of the Student Art Association and graduates with honors this May.
Meagan Edmonds is one of Rogers State University’s many talented artists who enjoy self expression and giving back to the community.
Edmonds discovered herself as an artist when she traveled to Italy on RSU’s Study Abroad program in the summer of 2008. The beauty of Italy and the landscapes gave Meagan a whole new interest in subject matter.
Italy also influenced Edmonds to try new styles of paintings, and she found a love for different media in art, including watercolor.
Edmonds has a huge appreciation for art that is different and sometimes controversial. For Meagan, art is all about self expression.
With experience in a variety of media, Edmonds creates artwork out of many different materials. Graphite and watercolor have been her most recent favorites.She enjoys creating sculptures because of the unique process of combining and manipulating objects.
“The thing I like about sculpture is that if you do something that you don’t like, you still have the opportunity to manipulate it into something else.” Edmonds said. “Sculpture is very different from other art forms; it is very forgiving.”
Edmonds is working on a portfolio of watercolor paintings that consist of explosive, bright colors of the female nude. She enjoys working with big brushstrokes and bright washes. Edmonds has a very broad range of visual arts, such as creative use in sculptures and unique, expressive paintings.
Edmonds has many artistic influences, including Edward Hopper, a longtime favorite. This influence can be seen in the colors and subject matter in many of her paintings.
“Having professors such as Gary Moeller and the great art professors has helped me more than anything by believing in me. They kept me from giving up,” she says.
The Fine Arts Department has helped Edmonds create a path as both a student and an artist.
“I’ve learned what it is to like your job, feel needed, and for people to realize your abilities and give you the leeway you need to make decisions for yourself and become successful.”
Originally, Edmonds planned to start an education at RSU towards becoming a doctor. Although she really wanted to make a difference and help people, blood just wasn’t her thing.
She changed majors to the Bachelors of Fine Arts because it was something she loved to do. She is actively involved with helping the community through the Student Art Association.
Edmonds plans to begin a Masters degree at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa with a major in Architectural Urban Design. There, she will be able to use her background as an artist and make the future better for others.
