We have been following the artist Megan Cedro for years now and her work has really evolved. We fell in love with her portraits of sullen young women with doe eyes– real gamines. Well today we did a quick studio visit and took in a sneak preview of her first solo show, A Wonderful Tragic Life at Yashar Gallery in Greenpoint opening this weekend.

Megan’s palette has moved from simple lines with touches of color to saturated reds, blues, and greens or a sheen of metallic gold. Over some chilled gin drinks and live piano music at the Manhattan Inn,  we discussed love, life, and paper maché. Between sips (and rants about the awkwardness of middle school and the deliciousness of  Italian food) we delved into what makes her new work different. She sees her new work as “older and wiser” with “more texture.” Megan’s process is organic, she lets the materials (she salvages old wine boxes and reclaims wood for many of her works) speak to her. Then when an image surfaces she delicately paints the apparition. Her inspiration has shifted from brooding models to religious iconography with one piece called Pope Joan, who according to Megan “can conquer things.” She likes that “they seem religious.” Her new portraits have swathes of color that remind us of stained glass.

According to Megan, ” I want people to get those feelings of being wise and grounded. But at the same time feel very wild and free.  I’m kind of obsessed with the balance of these qualities: Wonderful yet tragic. Young yet old. Magical yet scientific.”

The show opens this Friday July 9, 6-10 PM with refreshments by Sixpoint and Mast Brothers Chocolate. With most works under $1000 and gorgeous prints for about $30 a pop you can afford the art you love. Check out the invitation here and bring all of your friends!

We’ll have more from the opening on Friday, stop by and say hi to Megan and the gamine.

Browse Timeline

• Next: » ART//Artist of the Minute: Rosson Crow
• Previous: « STYLE//Happy Fourth of July!