Slapp Chat with Meagan Morrison, Illustrator, and Founder of TravelWriteDraw
Fashion Illustrator Meagan Morrison brings her exotic adventures to life through her brilliant artistry on her platform TravelWriteDraw.
Her feed is a stunning medley of travel photography, fashion illustrations and other art pieces.
A scroll through her account is an enchanting journey across the globe and we're obsessed!
We chatted to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) graduate, founder and all around boss babe, Meagan, about inspiring others and the importance of staying humble.
Where are you from?
I'm originally from a small town north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada!
What do you do?
I'm a fashion illustrator, drawing inspiration from my travels across the globe.
What is your typical day like?
When I'm home in New York, I usually start my day with yoga, pilates, or cycling. From that point, there is nothing typical hah! I could be heading into Manhattan for client meetings, packing my bags for the next travel partnership, or wrapping an illustration deadline in my studio. The unpredictability of it all certainly keeps it exciting.
How did TravelWriteDraw start?
TravelWriteDraw was inspired by a trip I took to Dubai in 2010, when I was still an illustration student at FIT in New York. I was so enchanted with this otherworldly city of contrasts. The men and women dressed in their traditional abayas and kanduras, juxtaposed against the modern skyscrapers emerging out of the desert, really inspired me. I realised after that trip that I wanted to cultivate a life and career of travel, where I not only illustrated the things I saw, but also shared them with a community of like minded people. A few months later I launched TravelWriteDraw blog and the rest is, as they say, history!
What has been your greatest achievement in your career so far?
I loved working on the new wine label art for the Ritz-Carlton hotel group because it quite literally encapsulated the essence of TravelWriteDraw. I got to take an inspiration trip across California to visit 4 different RC properties and film the journey with the brand team. Then all that inspiration was channelled into 4 original works of art that now live on the wine bottles at Ritz-Carlton properties across the globe. To see my pipe-dream (travelling the world and illustrating the journey) quite literally manifested into products for my favorite hotel brand, takes my breath away to this day.
How do you stay healthy, body and mind?
Exercise (be it pilates, yoga, cycling, running, dancing etc.) is one of the greatest pillars of my life as an entrepreneur. Starting my day with something completely unrelated to my work, and something that connects me to my mind, body and soul, is paramount! I'm also a big fan of sound baths, breathwork and meditation. I've had some pretty big personal breakthroughs with all the spiritual healing work I've done.
What inspires you?
My greatest source of inspiration is without a doubt travel! When I settle on a specific destination in my artwork it brings everything into focus. I start to look at the natural climate, the way people dress, the food, the landscapes, the history. All of it provides so much richness and colour to draw from. The challenge is marrying all of that inspiration together and telling my story of the destination, in a clever and conceptual way through my art.
Who is your beauty muse?
At the moment, Carrie Bradshaw hah! I'm currently re-watching every episode of Sex and the City and I'm totally enamoured!
What are your experiences of diversity in the beauty industry?
I still think we have a long way to go, but having lived and worked in New York for 10 years now, I've never seen as much positive change towards inclusivity as I have today.
What advice would you give to other girls and guys looking to get into the creative industries?
My advice would be to dream big and start small. Stay humble, be helpful and ask tonnes of questions. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and don’t wait until the "perfect" opportunity. Start where you are, with what you have. You'll be surprised how far true grit and talent can take you.
Beauty is…
Loving and owning yourself wholeheartedly. There is nothing more beautiful than that.
If you could only Slapp on one beauty product, what would it be?
Cover FX Dewy Skin Primer
Follow Meagan: @travelwritedraw