We recently had the chance to connect with Megan Wolfkill and have shared our conversation below.
Megan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I tend towards walking a path – I have a clear idea of what I want and what I need to do to achieve it. But, I would love to introduce a little more wandering into my life. The unexpected discoveries and surprises that come along with wandering open new doors that I didn’t initially see or know were a possibility. A good mix is the key!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Megan Wolfkill and I’m a nonobjective painter and dancer based in Cincinnati, OH. My paintings are deeply rooted in concepts of intimacy, identity, and tenderness towards oneself and others. I arrive at the surface of a painting or drawing with the embodied experience of dance in tow. Repeated forms are like repeated exercises at the barre in ballet class – they get more specific, nuanced, and wiser the more times I repeat. The connection to the body and dance is integral in my work, and shapes how I think about space, gravity, directionality, and the creation of fictive spaces in my paintings. Currently, I am working towards a solo show with Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, which is scheduled to open May 28, 2026.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The answer to this questions is a bit of a combination. Both dance class and my mother taught me about what it means to work. In dance class, there is a level of commitment, dedication, and openness to feedback that is necessary for success. You do not yawn or stand with your hands on your hips, you listen closely and apply feedback with a gracious attitude, and you are responsible for your own growth every step of the way. Respect, intention, discipline, and care are at the center of a dance education. As for my mother, she taught me to never ask someone to do something that I myself don’t know how to do. You must know every part of the job, and always be willing to step in and do something that others (or yourself) might consider “below” you. These tenets have served me not only in my painting career, but in every room I walk into no matter the circumstance.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could speak to my younger self, I would let her know that she doesn’t have to fill her plate so much. High achievement is great, but not at the expense of mental health or at the expense of your true passion and purpose. Leave space for the unknown and dedicate time to what you truly want, not what you think others expect of you.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Connection, kindness, expanding access to resources and beauty for all people, and consideration for the plight of others. My work is rooted in ideas of intimacy and tenderness, which translates easily to being aware of the struggles of disenfranchised and underrepresented groups in our world. In my eyes, the way to combat oppression is connection. Know your neighbors, ask people in your community questions, and explore outside your community, no matter how hard that may be.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
There are many paths that any one individual could take, and I contribute my path in a creative career to the privileges I received as a young artist. Access to arts education and passionate educators, familial support, and a deep sense of conviction that what I am doing is important and necessary. I am not afraid to take the road less traveled, and feel at home as a fine art painter.
