a passionate life - Meghann Stewart Artist

From Habitat magazine - issue 02

Artist and mother Meghann Stewart freely admits she is meticulous – even obsessive – about most things.

Fifteen years ago, in her mid-20s, she experienced a health crisis that turned her attitude to life completely on its head. Being diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma tumour that left her deaf in one ear and partially blind in one eye gave Meghann a sense of urgency about using her time well in activities that would give purpose and meaning to her life.

A self-taught artist, and the busy mother of three children, Meghann has been painting for six years. She has adopted a very disciplined approach that sees her painting three days a week in her Kingsland studio.

She is also involved in organising a mural at Auckland’s Kohimarama School, which her children attend. It will be rendered in Resene paint and reflect imagery from a school camp in which she participated with her daughter.

“As a child, I attended 13 schools in four different countries. That’s why I feel so passionately about giving my kids a sense of belonging and why I throw myself into school activities.”

Unsurprisingly, she can’t abide clutter.

“I like everything to have a place and a purpose. Fortunately, our house is on two levels. The kids’ mess stays downstairs and we use the upstairs environment for relaxing, eating and talking.”

Meghann describes the look of her house as minimal and monochromatic.

“I use art to provide the splashes of colour – my house is full of my paintings. I particularly love greens and reds.”

words: Sue Reidy
pictures: Matthew Williams

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