Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Pardue
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Even as a child, I found my voice through creating. Working with my hands became my means of understanding the world. That passion led me to pursue formal studies in fine art–first at Savannah College of Art and Design, where I earned my BFA, and later at Parsons School of Design in New York, where I completed my MFA.
Over the years, my work has evolved, but nature remains an enduring source of inspiration. I am deeply drawn to the organic forms, rhythms, and movement inherent to the natural world, particularly in the landscapes that have shaped my perspective. Having lived in diverse environments—Louisiana, Austin, Portland, Savannah, and New York—each place has left an imprint on my work and contributed to my perspective in some way.
Today, my work is collected internationally, and I have had the privilege of collaborating with galleries, designers, and collectors who appreciate the profound impact of abstraction.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have faced–and continue to face–a range of challenges that have shaped both my work and my approach as an artist. One of the greatest is maintaining the integrity of my vision while navigating the commercial side of the art world. Balancing creative freedom with the expectations of galleries, collectors, and large-scale projects is an ongoing negotiation. I want my work to remain authentic while also reaching the right audience.
Then there’s the constant challenge of balancing work and life. As a mother of three, this has been anything but easy. I’ve heard this stage of life called the “Sandwich Years”, caught between raising children and caring for aging parents. Most days, I feel like a ping-pong ball bouncing between being a mother, wife, problem solver, business owner, artist, friend, daughter, while still trying to hold onto my own sense of self.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am best known for my abstract interpretations of nature, particularly my Pods series. These signature, plant-like organic forms incorporate a dynamic range of colors inspired by natural phenomena, cenotes, glowing coastlines, rainbows, minerals, and precious stones. I am most proud of how my work resonates with people on a deeply personal level. I love hearing how a collector connects with a piece, how it evokes a memory, a feeling, or a sense of place. That response from the viewer is the final act of creation.
My approach to abstraction is deeply rooted in nature, but I am not painting landscapes in a traditional sense. Instead, I translate the essence of a place–its movement, energy, and organic flow–into a form that invites the viewer to bring their own interpretation. My process is intuitive and layered, a balance of control and surrender, much like nature itself.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is about creating work that is both personally fulfilling and deeply resonant with others. My work is successful when it deeply connects and resonates with someone. It means staying true to my artistic vision and energy while continuing to evolve and push my work in new directions.
It is also about maintaining integrity in my practice, challenging myself creatively, and finding joy in the process. On a broader level, success is having the freedom to create, share my work with the world, and build a life that balances my roles as an artist, mother, and individual. If my paintings can inspire, move, or bring beauty into another life, then I consider that a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meredithpardue.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithpardue
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithparduestudio
- Twitter: https://x.com/meredithpardue
- Other: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meredith_Pardue
Image Credits
Studio Image – Christopher Durst
Paintings – Meredith Pardue Studio
