Meet Artist Meg Jacovino
So, tell us a little about yourself
Hi! My name is Meg Jacovino. I am a mom, artist and surfer from Ocean City, New Jersey. I have the most energetic and joyful little girl and am so grateful to be raising her by the water with my guy.
I moved here a few years ago because I wanted to surf more, and it was hands down the best decision I ever made. A few days after settling in, I paddled out at 5th Street and met Pete. Shortly after, we had our daughter, Indy, and I have been sooooo blessed to stay at home with her full time. In all the in-between moments of caring for her, I began drawing again as a way to care for myself.
I started slowly, creating drawings while Indy slept, mostly images revolving around surfing and the sea, which I missed so much being out of the water recovering from childbirth. I eventually worked up the nerve to take some of my drawings to a gallery in town called Peace of Wood. The owners are amazing, incredibly supportive and have helped me gain the confidence to really dream big. I’ve been so fortunate that my little business has been growing ever since.
I create my drawings with pen and ink. My personal work is drawn by hand, but I’m starting to use the computer a bit on client projects, and am even beginning to dabble in design.
What inspires the art that you create?
I’m inspired by the water! The sun, the moon, and the stars. My countless wipeouts, my dreams of noseriding, and the feeling I get when sliding across the face of a wave - a sort of quietness where there’s typically a lot of noise. I try to convey that peace in my drawings.
I’m inspired by the tight-knit community I live in - the talented surfers and creatives here have welcomed me in with open arms. It’s so essential (in and out of the water) to have like-minded folks around, encouraging one another and rooting each other on.
I’m also really inspired by all the surfers I’ve found through Instagram. Connecting with them and seeing the way they draw lines on water through a little app on my phone has been invaluable to my process.
What is your favorite part of the process when creating something?
I take a lot of time perfecting my sketches with pencil before going over them with ink. Inking is definitely my favorite part of the process. The hard work is already done, and I can just focus on creating really clean lines. It’s very meditative, and I tend to lose myself in it.
And drawing hair - I love drawing hair. Before I had my daughter, I worked full time as a hair stylist, so that could explain it.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist and entrepreneur?
I struggle with lots of things, but self-doubt, work/life balance, and the business side of business are probably my biggest hurdles.
I’ve only recently been able to say “I am an artist” when people ask me what I do. It took me a really long time to believe it, and I feel like an imposter most days, but I’m working on it.
Since I stay at home with my daughter full time, I only have time for so much. My partner is a police officer, and his schedule is very demanding. Fitting in everything that my business needs to grow while taking care of my family can be very hard. I want to say yes to every exciting opportunity that comes my way, but I don’t have time for it all while my daughter is still so young. I’m realizing that it’s okay to slow down, that it’s okay to say no if I need to, and that if people really want to work with me, they’re typically happy to wait a few weeks for me to start a project.
I’m not the best business person. I’m sort of making everything up as I go along, making lots of mistakes along the way, and trying to trust that it’s all a part of the process.
What is your life ambition?
That's a big question! I think my life ambition is to be happy. To be a good mom and partner. To be a good daughter, sister and friend. To give back to my community. To keep growing and improving. To surf as much as possible. And to keep drawing.
If you could surf anywhere in the world, where would you go? And where is your current favorite place to surf?
I’ve never been to Hawaii, so I’d love to go there, where it all started.
I have a lot of spots that I love, but 5th street in Ocean City is my favorite. It’s where my life changed. Where I surf most days that I go out. Where I’ll most likely have a friend in the water. And where there’s always a left off the jetty. :)
Website: www.megjacovino.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/megjaydraws
