Megan Barrass - Artist
'To make visible the magical moments'
'BRIGHT and VIBRANT art serves as a window into my approach to life, encapsulating a philosophy that embraces positivity and enthusiasm. Each stroke of colour is deliberate, embodying the belief that life is to be experienced in its fullest spectrum'.
Megan is a Shoal Bay based artist known for her vibrant, expressive paintings that celebrate Australia’s coastal beauty and native flora. Working primarily with acrylics on large canvases, she captures the energy of the ocean, maritime life, and bold floral compositions with dynamic brushwork and rich colour palettes.
A lifelong lover of the sea, her art is deeply inspired by her surroundings, from the shifting moods of the water to the intricate details of native plants. She exhibits regularly, including in Sydney and local Port Stephens shows, and is an active member of the Artisan Collective Port Stephens. Recently, she collaborated with author John ‘Stinker’ Clarke on a children’s book about the Port Stephens mullet run, blending art and storytelling to engage young readers with marine conservation.
With an ever-growing collector base, her paintings have found homes across Australia and beyond, bringing a piece of the coastal lifestyle to private collections worldwide. Whether on the gallery wall or in a family’s living space, her work continues to spark joy, connection, and appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.
Upcoming
2025 CV | April exhibitions 'Florescence' held at |
2025 | Living, loving, creating and painting in Shoal Bay, Port Stephens NSW. |
2007 - 2017 | Working on paintings; commissions from Thompson Health Care Developers NSW. |
2006 - 2015 | Moved to Hunter Valley, operated Emma’s Cottage Vineyard and Art Gallery. |
Early times | Diploma of Graphic Design Grew up in the Northern Beaches of Sydney NSW Australia. |
Projects
2024 2023 2022 | 'My time in Sydney' solo exhibition Group show Artwork for 'Milly the magnificent flying mullet' children's book. Artwork for 'Banjo the adventurous bream' children's book. Nov Artist residency Lighthouse Art Newcastle NSW |
2022 | Oct ‘Local qualia’ exhibition, Artisan Collective Gallery, Nelson Bay NSW |
2022 | Feb ‘Sydney’ Group exhibition, Traffic Jam Galleries NSW |
2022 | Artwork for ‘Port to Plate, Port Stephens’ a community Seafood cookbook |
2022-25 | Active member of Artisan Collective Nelson Bay, Port Stephens NSW |
2021 | Curator for the 2021 AGL Port Stephens Art Exhibition |
2021 | Jan & Feb ‘Colour’ Art Exhibition Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral, Mosman NSW |
2021 | Nov ‘All Australian’ Art exhibition with Traffic Jam Gallery Sydney |
2020 | Nov Port Stephens Council ‘Abundance’ WALL MURAL O’Meara Lane Nelson Bay 35meters wide x 4 meters high |
2020 | Aug & Sept Feature artist at Artisan Collective Port Stephens, Nelson Bay NSW |
2018 | 2022 Represented by Traffic Jam Gallery Sydney |
2019-2020 | Involved in starting and running Shoal Bay Art Gallery, Shoal Bay NSW |
2020 | Feb Artastique Maitland NSW community art event |
2019 | Sept Word and Art Project, Manly Art Gallery NSW |
Company Commissions
| 2016-2017 | Wahroonga House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (29 paintings) |
| 2016 | Boronia House, St. Mary’s, Thompson Health Care, Australia (33 paintings) |
| 2015 | Milford House, Randwick and Sea Beach House, Mona Vale, Thompson Health Care, (30 paintings) |
| 2014 | Mittagong House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (38 paintings) |
| 2013 | Terry Hills House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (24 paintings) |
| 2011-12 | Fredericton House, Kempsey, Thompson Health Care, Australia (23 paintings) |
| 2011 | Turramurra House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (9 paintings) |
| 2009-10 | Kempsey House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (25 paintings) |
| 2008 | Bowral House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (15 paintings) |
| 2007 | Avalon House, Thompson Health Care, Australia (15 paintings) |
| 2004 | Collaroy YHA, 3 levels of murals |
