Creative people - Megan Ivy Griffiths
Stepping inside the workspace of textile artist and illustrator Megan Ivy Griffiths is a visual treat. It’s a compact space, in a rundown building, but it has the magical feel of a tiny vintage store filled with treasures and curiosities that draw the eye and invite close inspection. In a style that’s unique to her, the shelves and walls are lined with printing trays that hold miniature found treasures, dried flower hangings, books and postcards from her travels, a vintage Singer sewing machine, miniature mountains of threads and, of course, her own exquisite watercolours and folk style inspired, embroidered dolls and creatures. I’d long been fascinated by her tiny creations - all beautifully painted and embellished with intricate patterns, and full of detail and character. I was so pleased (and genuinely excited) when she agreed to meet me and show me her working process. So, before the lockdown, I travelled to her Dorset-based workshop, when we chatted about her love of nature and travel, how she’s honed her technique over the years, what inspires her, and the slow nature with which she approaches her work.
Claire: Could you tell us a bit about your background?
Megan: I grew up in the countryside in a little cottage in Hampshire which is where I have now moved back to. My late teens and early twenties were spent meandering through hospitality jobs, fun travels, and a job as a chocolatier before doing a degree in illustration at Falmouth University. Since then I have been gradually moving over into being a full time freelancer.
the archive sale
Claire: How did it all start – was there a specific moment that inspired you to begin making your artworks?
Megan: It has been a fairly natural process with a few ebbs and flows along the way, but something that has always been present in my life. When I left university it took a while to adjust and start enjoying creating things again without worrying how it would be marked or seen by other people, but has led me to really love doing it again.
Claire: Do you consider yourself first and foremost an illustrator or embroidery artist - or both in equal measure?
Megan: They’re very much intrinsically linked to one another and I don’t really think about the difference. My embroidery work is a form of illustration and a way of exploring in a more three dimensional way, but carries the same themes and sentiment as my painting and drawing. Most of my time is spent embroidering, probably just because it’s so slow!
Claire: Which came first?
Megan: I started illustrating mainly with watercolours, and then made a ‘dummy’ book for a project that was about worry dolls. I had the idea to make the dolls I had written about in the story and have them attached to the book as little companions for the reader. That was the first time I did any embroidery and found it super novel and exciting to bring a character to life in a sense.
Claire: What sparked your interest in each media?
Megan: When I was growing up my mum was an amazing children's book illustrator, so I was always watching her working away on beautiful projects with absolute fascination. It meant we always had lots of books to look at and paints to play with. My interest in textiles comes from an appreciation of all things crafted by hand, especially wonderfully intricate embroidered garments. I like that each stitch is a tangible way of seeing the time and skill that someone has put into something.
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Claire: How has your work evolved over the years?
Megan: With time and lots of hours stitching, I’ve seen my embroidery work become more refined and I now incorporate a variety of stitches. When I started I mainly used backstitch, but now I’ve found a real joy in learning more complicated stitches and seeing how they turn out in a miniature version. It’s nice to look at old work and notice how it has changed, and I feel really happy with how the colours have evolved and become earthier.
Claire: Is this what you always wanted to do?
Megan: Yes! I don’t think I would know how to do anything else.
Claire: How did your childhood influence your career?
Megan: Massively so. I thought that illustration was quite a normal thing to do because I had grown up with my mum doing it, and the things I make now are trying to recapture the tender joy of childhood, of seeing an acorn and thinking it’s a hat for a tiny creature.
Claire: Could you give us an insight into how you work? Could you talk us through the design and making process?
Megan: I have a basic paper sketchbook that I scribble ideas down in whenever they come to me. These are usually rough designs that are done quickly before the inspiration is forgotten! When I’m painting I’ll then draw it out and use watercolours. With embroidery I draw out the basic shape of the doll and stitch away. It really depends on how creative I’m feeling that day. Sometimes I’ll enjoy being quite free with the design and seeing where it takes me, and others I need a bit more structure to follow. I have found that the best way to get out of a creative rut is to not sit and stress about it and do things like walk, knit, press flowers or anything to soothe the mind.
Claire: Which artists materials do you use?
Megan: Almost all of my threads and textiles are second hand, foraged from charity shops, antique shops and car boot sales. I’ve even had some special ones sent to me from people who weren’t going to use them, the best of which were on beautiful wooden spools. The watercolours I use are St Petersburg but I’m hoping to upgrade to a Sennelier set soon!
Claire: Which three words describe your style?
Megan: Gentle, detailed, patterned.
Claire: Where do you find inspiration?
Megan: I’m inspired by all sorts of curiosities, especially anything patterned and intricate, from fair isle jumpers to curled ironwork on an old church door. Most things that spark my imagination have some kind of history or narrative behind them. I’m always walking in the countryside and observing the changes through the seasons and trying to notice pockets of natural magic. One of my favourite things to do is to go to a car boot sale or fete and rummage around looking for second hand treasures and dusty books.
Claire: Do you have any art icons?
Megan: A big one for me would be Tove Jansson, for her extraordinarily sensitive, human way of creating characters and stories.
Claire: What is your most prized possession?
Megan: I get ridiculously sentimental about everything… especially feathers! My friend gave me a tiny blue Jay feather that they found on a walk, and I keep that as my good luck charm.
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Claire: Do you listen to music while you're working? If so, what kind of music?
Megan: If I’m embroidering and in the zone I’ll listen it would be something melodic and mellow. Some favourites would be Joan Baez, Donovan, Linda Perhacs, Henri Texier. To get my energy up I’ll play some funky psychedelic African music or cheesy 80s.
Claire: What’s the soundtrack to your life right now?
Megan: Travelling Wilburys - End Of The Line, because it’s about everything being alright and not worrying or feeling the need to prove yourself which is a train I want to be riding!
Claire: Do you get lonely or do you have a group of likeminded creatives you hook up with?
Megan: The nature of my work means that I do spend a lot of time on my own sometimes. Usually it’s a pleasure to be able to burrow away and make things all day, but it does also get lonely and means I’ll try and string out a conversation when I go to the post office and find someone to talk to! Online interactions can be super useful, and luckily I have some friends who also freelance and understand that it’s not just hanging around in your pyjamas all day. I find freelancing very rewarding and it’s also very hard sometimes because there’s no one else there to guide you. So talking to other creatives is an important part of my day.
Claire: What was the last book you read?
Megan: The last book I read was The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington. It’s a really witty, hilarious and sensitive tale with wonderfully bonkers language. A true treat of a book!
Claire: What was the last exhibition you went to see?
Megan: Recently I went to an exhibition called ‘Unbound - Visionary Women Collecting Textiles’ at Two Temple Place in London, which featured historical mind blowingly beautiful pieces that inspired you to think about how intricate embroidery could be. The building itself is worth a trip with amazing carved wood and decorated tiles.
Claire: Could you tell us about the workshops you run?
Megan: In the workshops we learn and practice different stitches, which we then use to create a little embroidered figure. So far I’ve taught people how to make a lion, bird and spring maiden. As a fairly shy person I was quite frankly terrified of doing them to begin with, but it has always turned out to be the nicest time. Because I usually work on my own it’s a huge treat to spend the day stitching and chatting with other people, who are always very generous in sharing their own techniques and knowledge. It becomes a really inspiring atmosphere.
Claire: What's the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Megan: I’ve had the loveliest messages from people who have given the dolls as keepsakes for babies, used them as little companions or reminders, and gifted to special friends. I’m grateful that the sentiment of them being a source of comfort transcends to other people, because it is why I started making them for myself. I find workshops very rewarding when everyone goes quiet and focused, and are stitching in a meditative way. Embroidery, painting and crafting have been a way for me to deal with anxiety, slow down, get in the flow and just enjoy being present. Being able to share that with people feels very special. I have also loved doing wedding invitations just because you get to be part of a joyous occasion!
Claire: Who are some of the other creatives you follow online?
Megan: My friend Nicola Hardingham (@nicola.hardingham) who does brilliant illustrations and ceramics. She makes ‘Strong Women’ figures, and I have one on my shelf that gives me a firm talking to when I need it. Rosanna Morris (@rosannaprints) who creates beautiful earthy prints, Lucy of Tuck It In (@tuckitin_quilts) who makes soft, botanically dyed quilts, Rachael Cocker (@rachelannacocker) the ceramic and pattern wizard, and textiles artist Karen Stevens (@kzstevens).
Claire: What is the thing you most want to be known for (personally or professionally)?
Megan: The lady who walks around with a pet goat
Claire: What makes you laugh?
Megan: Comedies that are offensively British, like Psychoville, The Detectorists, Peep Show, This Country, Flowers. Also Tim Key poetry and every time I do something clumsy which is fairly constant.
Claire: Where are your favourite places in the world? and why?
Megan: I just love so many places in the UK, especially in the South West where I have lived and explored a lot. In springtime walking from Mawnan Smith church along the Helford river with flowers peeking through the hedges and crystal clear water. There’s a coast path in Dorset near Dancing Ledge that’s my family's favourite place in the world. The walk features rolling patchwork fields, turquoise water, about 1000 steps up and down a valley and ends with an ice cream at the village shop or pint at the pub. What more could you want?! Last year I took a trip to Sofia and got the night train to Istanbul which was an incredible city and a feast for the eyes. They leave food out for cats and dogs and take amazing care of them, so there are hundreds of happy cats to stroke and play with in the street (i recommend a film called Kedi about this), and the architecture, frescoes and mosaics of the old churches and mosques were incredible.
Claire: What are your plans for the future?
Megan: I haven’t got much of a clue at the moment, but I would like to dedicate time to learning and expanding my textiles knowledge and other crafts. It would also be nice to work on some bigger projects. I’ve only just learnt to use a sewing machine and have made a patchwork quilt, so I’m envisioning a huge throw with hand stitched details all over it.
You can find Megan’s work at: www.etsy.com/shop/meganivygriffiths and at Instagram at: @meganivygriffiths Look out for updates to her shop for Christmas 2021!
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