READY, STEADY JET SET

Happy Saturday My Loves!!

Finally I'm back on the blog after such a long hiatus!! Needless to say, when you take 10 days off from work, you spend the next 20 trying to catch up. I had some really incredible events take place the past few weeks. I illustrated my first scarf for my company's SS14 collection, finally met the gorgeous girls over at Perth Style as well as Lubov Azria of BCBG, modeled for a creative with Lily Qian, attended one of my best friend's weddings and GOTHAM Magazine's Cover Party with my love Alyssa of A-Listed. Now I'm prepping for a quick jet set home and I couldn't be happier.

I read this amazing quote today that said "travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light". I feel like I'm living in the light right now. Can't wait to share more illustrations with you all and finally get crackin' on my Greece Postcards!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrated Packing List: Greek Island Hopping

Hello, Hello, Hello My Loves!!

I'm so excited to be back on TWD to reveal my Greek Island packing essentials!! This Friday May 24th I will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, leaving all the stresses of New York City behind ahhhh. I can already feel that Mediterranean sunshine permeating my skin. That reminds me...I still need to buy SPF 100 lotion because right now I'm grossly Snow White. Anyway, it seems that this trip's packing list is all about statement accessories. Truthfully, bohemian white maxi dresses just aren't that fun to draw ;). Starting from the top left:

Mary Katrantzou Medium Print Pouch Clutch

DOLCE & GABBANA Filigrane Embellished Gold-Plated Clip Earrings

mally Lip Magnifier in Sexy Siren

Zac Posen Illesteva Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses

ALAIA Studded Cutout Leather Sandals

Mara Hoffman Pow Wow Printed Bandeau Bikini

I fell absolutely in love with this season's prints and pop color accents like chartreuse, coral, and tangerine. I'm having visions of Santorini's aqua blue waters as the backdrop to my saturated colored ensembles. The outfits make the trip don't they?! How are you all spending your Memorial Day holiday? Have any of you been to the Greek Islands? If so leave your suggestions below.

Much love,

Meag xx

Greek Island Hopping Getaway!!

Hello Hello My Darlings!!

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!! A little under three weeks from now I will be jetting off to Athens to kick-start my Greek Island Hopping Extravaganza. On the agenda is Mykonos, Paros, and breathtaking Santorini. I can't wait to take you all there with me through my blog. This will be my first time traveling to Greece and I've been told just HOW extraordinarily beautiful it is. 

I searched high and low for references for this illustration and finally landed on an editorial from VOGUE Hellas. I wanted it to feel authentic and equally fashion/travel driven. I loved her headpiece as it related to Greek Mythology and the fact that she seemed to mirror my sentiments towards Greek island hopping (eager). I've been devising my packing list to illustrate here so stay tuned.

Before I sign off, I am dying to get recommendations from you all on the "must-sees" of Greece. Leave your comments and suggestions below and don't forget to include any post tips on themes, photos, postcards that you would like to see here upon my return. Thrilled to bring you Greece inspired posts galore and sink my teeth into a new country. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!!

Much love,

Meag xx   

TWD Darling: Julianne Hough

Hello My Loves,

I'm so excited to reveal my third ever TWD Darling - the beautiful, sassy, ubber talented Miss Julianne Hough. A couple of days ago I posted a process photo of this illustration to my Instagram and I was so amazed by the response. Apparently my absolute girl crush on Julianne is shared by many, many others.

My reason for selecting a TWD Darling is never the same. In this case I was completely transfixed with the style evolution of a formerly bedazzled professional dancer to a complete and utter fashion maven. After collecting photo after photo of Julianne's haircut for my own chop reference, my sheer affinity for her outfit ensembles was undeniable. I...just...had...to PAINT HER!!

The deeper I dug, the more I discovered. She isn't just a wickedly dressed blonde bombshell. Dancer, actress, singer, spokesperson, AND shoe designer with e-tailer Sole Society, I'm honestly left wondering what doesn't this girl do? So apart from dreaming of hanging out with her in her closet one day, my only other wish would be that she sees this illustration and loves it. I'm on a mission to get it to her and hopefully (like Kelly Cutrone and Liz Cabral) I will!!

Who's style do you absolutely adore? Is there anyone TWD Darling worthy in your mind? Leave your answer in the comments section below and maybe they will end up illustrated here too.

Much love,
Meag xx

Photos: Jake Rosenberg for Elle.com & The Coveteur

FACE FORWARD

I felt so inspired tonight at Would You Rock This' drawing session titled The Art of Beauty Illustration. Brandon brought two incredibly talented make-up artists on board to create three distinct trend looks for the evening. I kept thinking of the expression "put your best foot forward" which then evolved to "put your best face forward" and voila this post was born.

I was so amazed watching the girls transform from the inside out with each new stylization. It made me wonder whether something as immaterial as make-up has the power to really transform how we feel inside. My Father always says that "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at start to change." If that is true, and I believe it is, think of all the possibilities we have to improve our lives for the better each day.

I leave you with that tiny bit of food for thought because sleep is calling and work can be unforgiving. I promise to be back on the blog very soon with some SUPER exciting announcements and collaborations. Can't wait to share!!

Much love,
Meag xx

SHORT STORY

What's in a haircut? Confidence, insecurity, a quest to be trend right, a desire for individualism, all of the above? Exactly two weeks ago I returned home to Toronto for the Easter Holiday and dared to bare...my neck...for the first time...in years. I chopped off 6 inches back in December and decided to keep going, going, going, gone, up, up, up to my chin. And frankly, I haven't looked back (or down literally speaking).

For months now I've been watching, one by one, as my favorite models (Daria Werbowy, Karlie Kloss, Jessica Stam) went for the plunge or should I say chop. I observed with envy as they made the incredibly brave move to cut the security blanket from their heads. I salivated over February's fashion week street style shots; the inimitable Miroslava Duma racing between shows with the chicest of chic bobs. Finally I decided it was my time.

Hair throughout history has persisted as a symbol of femininity from Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Brooke Shields' Blue Lagoon. Cutting it off feels, simply put, liberating. I feel like I own my beauty more by redefining what is associated with being feminine. I can't help but notice how I appeal to different men with long hair than I do with short. I might even argue that the guy who approaches me with tresses to my chin seems to appreciate a little more just how strong willed I am.

In short (no pun intended) cutting ones hair is no laughing matter; because I happen to think there is a lot more in a haircut than meets the eye. Do you agree? Have any of you cut it all off recently? What possessed you to do so? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Much love,
Meag xx

Living In Your Truth

Oscar de la Renta FW13

What does it mean to live in your truth? How do you find your truth in order to live it? So many people ask me how I came to find what I love and my only answer is my unwavering quest for the truth.

I don't know why I love fashion illustration as much as I do, I just know that it is the most fulfilling, genuine expression of myself. I know that even if nobody saw it as having any value, if no one cared to look, I would still need to paint these miraculous little glimpses into the world of fashion. Because to me, what I do, is like breathing. I couldn't live without doing it. Or at the very least, I wouldn't be contributing the best of me to the world around me (and frankly that's just as terrifying).

We can spend so much time getting caught up in the woulda/shoulda/coulda. But at the end of the day, if you are living in your truth, if you are following your heart, then you probably are exactly where you need to be right now.

If I have any regret in my life, it is the time I spent wasting second guessing myself. I've known all along what it was that I wanted to do but I worried too much about what others around me were doing too. Ultimately, fortune favors the bold, and I don't just mean monetarily. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the leap of faith, for a chance at the reward. I'm not sure I've even seen the reward of my risk yet but what I do know is that I'm grateful everyday that I'm living honestly with myself - who I want to be, who I'm meant to be.

You're probably wondering what any of this has to do with anything, maybe even specifically the look I painted for this post. Trust me, there is a connection ;) Oscar de la Renta, who happens to be one of my all time favorite designers, really took a risk this past season when he partnered with the dishonored John Galliano for his FW13 collection.

Oscar has a label with a tremendous amount of credibility. Taking Galliano under his wing, after he was very publicly ousted from Dior, could have been very damaging to his brand (fashion can be unforgiving after all). But instead of fearing the risk, he embraced an undeniable talent, and delivered one of the most evolved and breathtaking collections of his career. Living in his truth resulted in a beautifully transcendent expression of design and self.

I'm certainly not advocating taking lofty risks with your life, but more like walking away from what you know for the chance of something greater. Living an unfulfilled life to me seems like a much scarier fate.

Anyway my loves, I would be so interested to hear your thoughts on the topic of living in your truth. What does it mean to you? Wishing you an amazing week ahead.

Much love
Meag xx

Cher & Dionne

Happy Sunday Darlings!!

I've just returned from this week's Would You Rock This? drawing session held at my Alma Mater FIT (*sigh*). Walking through those hallways certainly brought back a floodgate of wonderful memories. We were so fortunate to be hosted by famed illustrator Steven Broadway today, who reminded us that fashion really is all about the gesture, the moment.

I've titled this post Cher & Dionne because his selected outfits felt so reminiscent of my all time favorite movie Clueless. And now I'm wishing I was back in Cali cruising through Beverly Hills. Anyways my loves, tomorrow calls for early morning market meetings so I'm off. I've been making a lot of progress behind the scenes and I can't wait to share the results with you all. Sleep tight...

Much love,
Meag xx

Material Girl

Good Evening Lovelies!!

Hope you've all been enjoying your weekends. I'm so elated that I had back to back drawing sessions this week (John Jay Cabuay at the Society of Illustrators Thursday night and Would You Rock This at the Ripley Grier Studios this afternoon). It feels so incredible to be drawing regularly again and today was just beyond.

Brandon Graham, of Would You Rock This, purchased these incredible props (Moet & Chandon bottles, Chanel N0 5, Coach purse etc) which elevated the experience to another level. You really had to think about the product, how to sell it, how to merchandise your own fashion illustration. The finished piece became a mini ad.

I have a few more drawings I'd like to post from today's session but right now the friends are calling and karaoke in Chinatown awaits. Jusqu'a demain.

Much love,
Meag xx

Custo Barcelona Fall 2013

Hola Babies!!

I'm hoping you had a fantastic weekend!! A few lucky New Yorkers, myself included, got to soak up a beautiful three day weekend. I caught up with friends over delicious brunches and macrobiotic meals lol and strolled around SOHO and painted and...you get the point. Anyway, as promised, here are my final illustrations from the Custo Barcelona show last Sunday. Nothing ever compares to the rush of inspiration brought on by seeing these clothes coming down the runway.

I got a little feedback from the Custo Barcelona Social Media team, who retweeted my sketches from the show, and left some smiles on my facebook post. I'm hoping they are pleased with these sketches as well. Alright loves, time for sleep.

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrating at Custo Barcelona Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Hi Friends! It's me, Meagan Morrison, at #MBFW

Custo Barcelona Runway Lights Down

Custo Barcelona Illustrations Drawn Fresh from the Runway!

Custo Barcelona Final Runway Walk

Girls Sitting Pretty in the #MBFW Tents

 Good Evening Lovers!!

I made it through NYFWeekend and I'm so proud that I managed to illustrate fresh drawings from every runway show I attended. Custo Barcelona this afternoon was hot, hot, hot, though it seems style.com disagrees with me. Furs and sequins and minis and textures and layers plus a 'beauty meets beast' aesthetic was to die for. Also, sweet little bonus that they showed both men's and women's together. It made the show longer hence allowing the audience to savor the experience.

I stuck around the tents afterwards for a golden opportunity to illustrate the fashion pack. As luck would have it, I ended up sitting near the lovely Rachel and Liz of thatschic.net and lateafternoonblog.com who politely asked to photograph me while illustrating. They were so sweet and enthusiastic about my work it made me all the more excited to be drawing from the lively environment. My goal for next Fashion Week is definitely to get backstage to illustrate precious prep time.

Well babes, once again it's time for SLEEP. Tomorrow I'm slammed with back to back design meetings and I have three days to turn over my illustrations to Would You Rock This from today's show. Wish me luck.

Much love,
Meag xx

Illustrating at Tibi Fall 2013 NY Fashion Week

Tibi FW13 Front Row

Tomo and I soaking up Tibi

Runway Lights

Look 1 Drawn Off the Runway

Model Mayhem

Look 2 Drawn Off the Runway

Tibi Final Walk

Hola Babes!!

I finally took the plunge today and drew from the ACTUAL runway at Tibi's FW13 show at Pier 59 this evening. I can't believe I did it!! Usually I'm too overwhelmed and elated just to be attending the show that I can't think about capturing models walking at lightening speed down the runway.

The show was very clean and minimal, mixing highlighter bright greens and blues, with black leather and graphic prints. Oh and it had a pretty jammed front row including Olivia Palermo, Hannah Bronfman, and every major blogger in town!! Tomo and I even had a moment with Katie Holmes out by the elevator (yes we stood next to her and it was fabulous).

Anyway, time for some sleep. I have another big day tomorrow at Lincoln Center!!

HUGS & KISSES,
Meag xx

LINEWORK

Hello Baby Dolls,

Happy, happy Friday...well make that Saturday!! It's past midnight in NYC and the city is blanketed under the spell of Nemo. What a way to treat New York Fashion Week (Hello Mother Nature, don't you know that this is like the most important time of the year?!!). Anyway, I'm barely awake and riding high off of my first week at Collection 18, my drawing session Thursday night at the Society of Illustrators, and some FANTASTIC NEWS I received at around 10:30 PM ce soir eeekk!!

Thank goodness I practiced my illustration linework the other night because it looks like I'm going to be drawing at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this weekend YAY!! Oh and super bonus: my sugar free diet is working like a charm (minus the maniacal daily cravings). I have more energy now than I have for years and I'm feeling like a superhero illustration | design machine yipee skipee. Well friends, it's time for ZZzzz. I have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend ahead.

Can't wait to catch up with you soon!!

HUGS & KISSES,
Meag xx

SUGAR FREE

New Year - New Lifestyle. Lovelies, I'm going sugar free.

It isn't so much a choice as it is a necessity. Sometimes when you go to one extreme, you have to swing the pendulum back the other way to get on track again. Needless to say, I'm relearning how to eat...well.

Those of you who know me, and I mean really know me, would probably describe me as one of the most indulgent people on the planet. I love decadence. I love champagne, and steak tartar, and duck confit on a Wednesday night just because I can. That is what makes me, me. I have a real thirst for the luxuries of life.

This is also why up until now, living in the center of Manhattan has coincided with every fiber of my being. You can live life here to the absolute extremes. Sunday brunches with fantastic dj's and unlimited mimosas, dinner dates with friends any night of the week, bar openings, gallery hoping, movie screenings, soho shopping sprees...there are no limits here, period. But when you're told pretty explicitly that you need to quit eating sugar NOW, suddenly there are limits (BIG ones).

You don't realize, until you are forced to pay realllly close attention, just how much sugar the average person consumes daily. From your milk/juice in the morning, to your salad dressing at dinner, just about every meal contains sugar. Perhaps the biggest shock of all for me is realizing just how much changing the food in my life affects absolutely everything else in my life too.

Suddenly living in a shoebox apartment in the West Village with no kitchen space doesn't seem so ideal for a person who now needs to prepare their own meals. Going out dancing a few minutes from home doesn't have the same 'win' feeling when having to explain why you can't drink with everyone else. Everything from where I eat to where I hangout is now influenced by my new diet.

Now I'm on the eve of starting a new job and I can't help but wonder how I will maintain a sugar free life in the face of new stresses and deadlines. When you change your life-source (ie food) you undoubtedly change your whole entire life. And despite whatever alarming inconveniences/cravings I faced in beginning this new chapter, I feel my body changing for the better. With less sugar comes diminished anxiety, fatigue, and weight, which is replaced with clearer skin, more energy, and a much more balanced life.

This is just the beginning for me and with it comes a new thirst for life (a much healthier one too). And I'm beyond excited to see where this new lifestyle takes me.

Have any of you gone sugar free? I would love to hear about your experiences below.

Much love,
Meag xx 

TWD Darling: Kelly Cutrone

"I happen to believe the world will change only when we change ourselves. And that starts with finding ourselves. And that starts with listening to ourselves: learning to quiet the clamor in our minds and the voices of everyone around us and move toward what feels right - toward the things we know, for reasons we can't explain, that we're meant to do, the things that make us feel alive."

- Kelly Cutrone 

You know the expression "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear"? Well, I think that might be the most accurate way to describe how I came to read (thrice) Kelly Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You". Cutrone is a wildly successful PR maven who is known for her no holds barred attitude and honest approach to business. But above all else, she is a woman who lives in her truth. For this reason alone, I felt compelled to read her book, paint her portrait, and become closely engrossed in the world of Kelly Cutrone.

When I initially started the TWD Darling portion of my blog, I had always hoped to draw (both literally and figuratively) attention to truly inspiring individuals. I never imagined, however, that I would be moved this profoundly by another person's written words. The truth is I found myself again by finding Kelly. For the past year and a half I had felt so lost and confused at times trying to navigate my career in New York. So much so that I stopped hearing my own voice and replacing it with the deafening noise of doubt and fear.

Can I make it? What if I fail? Is this ever going to happen for me? were the mantras that played on rotation in my mind.

And then I opened the book of Cutrone, and was reminded why I began the journey to New York, why I started this blog, why I've made decisions to pass on certain opportunities and not others. I was reminded to always be my most authentic self because "ultimately, if you're doing what you're meant to do - if you're in your truth - doors will open for you." And that "even when your wallet or your need to be on a VIP list is calling you, stand strong and remember what your brand is about." I was reminded of what I've known all along, to stay true to me.

I could write pages on the amazing pearls of wisdom overflowing in this book but rather I will advise you just to read it on your own. It isn't just for the young NYC fashion hopefuls, but for anyone venturing through life with a quest for the truth. Ultimately, your life comes down to you, what you want, what you hope and dream for. You are the foundation of your own world and you manifest your own destiny. Start with you and the rest will follow. Kelly, if you ever read this, thank you for being so brave and sharing your truth with this book. You helped me to find mine again too.

Much love,
Meag xx 

Armani: Through the Eyes of Illustrators

Armani SS13

Happy, Happy New Year Everyone!!

I hope you had the most spectacular holiday season with your loved ones. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted here. The final month leading up to Christmas was quite hellish for me. My life sort of came crashing down and I was really forced to reevaluate things. In any case, here I am, back and recharged; perhaps still thinking things through but much stronger than I was before.

Best of all, my first post of 2013 is a celebratory one. I have been dying to share here, since late October, that I had been contacted by ARMANI's Digital Communication Worldwide and asked to contribute an original illustration to their facebook album Armani: Through the Eyes of Illustrators. I was so unbelievably honored and excited that I nearly burst at the seams.

My final piece has been added to the beautifully curated album alongside several other EXTREMELY talented illustrators worldwide. Be sure to check it out here and stay tuned for many more TWD posts to come. Lastly, but certainly not least, thank you to all my amazing followers (new and old) for keeping me so inspired and motivated every step of the way. I love you all.

Much love, many hugs, and so many kisses!!
Meag xx

On The Fringe

Coco Rocha VOGUE Mexico

I have a small confession to make friends. I'm on the fringe.

In fact, my whole life I've been on the fringe.

I was never popular in school. For better or worse, I've always marched to the beat of my own drum. It dawned on me recently, as I inch ever more closely to my five year mark in New York, that I still very much exist on the fringe.

Before I moved here I imagined my life looking very differently. I believed so naively that New York would embrace me like a coveted gem. I would be invited to all the "in" parties. I would make an impression, do things differently, really be a "somebody". Truth be told, that couldn't be further from reality.

Somehow after three and a half years here, I still exist on the fringe. I still peer from the sidelines, hoping, praying for my big break. I wonder if my affinity for integrity, for sincerity, has somehow relegated me to no man's land in the business world. If only I could schmooze better, have a little more edge, maybe, just maybe, I could get ahead.

But by the same token I wonder if being on the inside is really anymore fun?! Perhaps being on the fringe is really where the exciting stuff happens. When you aren't looking over your shoulder all the time, wondering who is watching you, whether you look the right way, or are associating with the right people, maybe you actually just get to be...

Not long ago I listened to the remarkable David Downton speak at FIT. He said that he never wanted to be "in" fashion because that meant you eventually had to be "out". So perhaps, after all is said and done, being on the fringe is really where I ought to be...

Meag xx

Hard Rock

Jason Wu - KARLIE BOX CLUTCH

Hello My Lovelies!!

I've missed you oh so much. I finally had the opportunity to paint just for me this weekend and it felt incredible. A big weight was lifted from my shoulders a few days ago and I feel like, for the first time in possibly three years, I can really think clearly about what and where my life is going. Since obtaining my work visa in the United States I had really lost sight of why I even came to New York in the first place - to be a fashion illustrator. Sometimes the universe smacks you right in the face in order to steer you right back on track.

So how does this GORGEOUS Jason Wu clutch fit into all of this?! Firstly, and quite simply, because I loved the giant gem/crystal trend that happened this fall (ahem Prada). Secondly, because I had just done an interview with FASHIONISMYWAY and talked about how New York requires a little a lot of armor in your wardrobe. It's such a hard knock city, not for the faint of heart, and something about this clutch felt very metaphoric of how I feel most of the time here; shiny, vibrant, and polished on the outside - vulnerable and delicate on the inside.

Anyway, I'm feeling some big changes coming in my life and I couldn't be happier. Sometimes when everything is falling apart it is actually falling into place.

Much love,
Meag xx

A Tale of Three Handbags

Hello My Darlings!!

I'm finally back on TWD woohoo!! I've wanted to do this post since before I left for Europe back in September. I had this idea about embodying each city (New York, London, Paris) in a handbag. I do work for a handbag company here in New York after all ;). I spend so much time everyday staring at bags, making interesting graphics, thinking about trends, that naturally I relate everything to handbags now. Kate Spade, Alexander McQueen, and Hermes seemed like the perfect designers to capture the essence of New York, London, and Paris respectively.

I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to be posting this. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. And with so many exciting prospects coming my way, I assure you I will be updating here A LOT more frequently. I also want to thank ALL of my new Travel Write Draw Facebook Page followers. You have no idea how touched I am that you have been so receptive to it. That is definitely the space to get behind the scenes with me and my illustrations on TWD. Anyway, I'm happy to announce that Postcard from Paris is on its way so stayyyy tuned my loves!!

Much love,
Meag xx

Portraits from FNO at Lord & Taylor