Megan Badger shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Megan, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time between art and nature. While those sound like cliche subjects to use for answering this question– please do not underestimate their wrath. Personally, I love envisioning and drawing content that spins reality towards a humorous field regardless of how dark the subject matter might be. My inspiration is a giant wad of imagination, reality, and appreciating small details in the environment.
Nature operates as a springboard for me and the ‘bones’ of my creations. Losing track of time, taking some risks exploring new territories that hold their own obstacles, and embracing the unknown through such adventures are ways that exercise and support my goals to continue trying new approaches in both my personal and artistic life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Megan Badger and I lurk within the artworld and social media as BADGER. Please don’t ask me how I came up with the name.
BADGER is my artistic title that appreciates the talent of Albrecht Dürer and Shel Silverstein– both very unique artists whose craft I deeply admire. Through stippling (using multiple dots to create an image) and playful linework, I have created my own style of traditional illustrations for (mostly) all ages.
Recently, I have been putting a lot of work into a comic for St. Louis’ SLICE (St. Louis Independent Comics Expo) that will be hosted at The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries this year on Saturday, October 18th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CST). Since I have NEVER made a comic before, the whole experience is making me squirm and feel a variety of emotions all at once. It’s like trying to visually create a dream that doesn’t make sense to anyone but you– but making every effort to help the viewer understand it. This comic is about a dog that goes to the desert and makes a REAL mezcal shot. It’s designed to be simultaneously minimal, gross, comical, and wholesome. My 11-year-old niece gave it a 7/10; so, I’m busy working out the kinks.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The comparison game is what breaks the bonds between people. I believe evaluating and appreciating your individuality is highly important to be able to grow and move confidently in this life. It is important for people to realize that no one else is them and that everyone is an original. The best medicine to restore one’s desire to compare is not viewing others as a threat but as an opportunity to learn and take time to review personal goals. This might be an everyday thing for some people but will ALWAYS be worth doing to achieve being the best version of yourself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Everyone has different levels of what ‘suffering’ is– for some, it’s a phone dying at the dreaded family reunion; for others, it’s pacing their breath and embracing pain after a car accident while they wait for a rescue team to arrive.
My suffering is taking on too many opportunities when I already have a full-time job, family obligations, and other gears– unrelated to art– turning in my personal life. This form of ‘suffering’ taught me patience and compassion and, honestly, I do not believe real success can be achieved without it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
This is a very fun question! I believe that whatever you create from your imagination is reality in another dimension. I cannot prove it but I believe it. Sometimes, I’ll zone out and imagine what it would be like to meet my creatures in the flesh– diving deep into what that might feel like– bliss, discomfort, confusion? There is so much we don’t know that I wouldn’t rule out the possibility.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
100%– I feel like I’d be extremely depressed and question my existence if everything I did was for acceptance or praise. If I didn’t give everything my best, I would stay up each night wondering and questioning the potential that could have been unveiled with certain projects and situations. And, if I gave everything my best and didn’t yield great success, at least I learned something. Personally, life would have little meaning if doing my best relied on being praised for acts I carried out. I want to feel personal achievement through life and know I did my best while possibly helping others learn something new along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meganbadger.com/
- Instagram: @mgnbdgr
