Sisters painter transforms dreams into works of art

Some people keep track of their dreams by writing them down on paper the minute they wake. But local artist Megan Phallon transforms her dreams into artwork.

Phallon has narcolepsy. People with the disorder often report having vivid, bizarre, or disturbing dreams. A person with narcolepsy can enter REM state at sleep onset or shortly after falling asleep, making it possible to dream vividly even during a brief nap.

Phallon’s dreamworld sometimes blurs with reality and when incorporated into her artwork, results are vivid, surreal paintings.

She said, “My dreams help me see elements in a way most are not capable of during waking hours. Even though several of my surreal dreamscape-like works may have a dark or profound theme, I use very lively primary colors for a joyful whimsical feel.”

Phallon grew up in a small coastal town near Fort Bragg in Northern California and had a passion for art since she could remember.

“I’d walk around the art galleries in Mendocino and in middle school I enjoyed drawing dark and bizarre cartoons for my teachers. A couple of them even paid me for my pictures.”

Phallon is a self-taught artist and has a good photographic memory for color and detail.

Her extensive travels in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico had a huge influence on her color choices in the art world.

“I’ve also lived in South Dakota, Utah and Minnesota. We moved to Sisters looking for a change, more of a small-town artsy vibe,” she said.

She added, “I have never been embraced so warmly by a community as this one.”

The scenery most featured in her paintings is a combination of places she has lived, including St. George, Utah near Zion National Park and now Central Oregon.

“I have a passion for painting because I look at the world in an abstract way and enjoy seeing something ordinary become exciting and alive,” Phallon said.

“I started doing commissioned artwork nearly 15 years ago, after I’d done some paintings on my friends’ kids’ walls. After that I started getting requests.”

A few years ago, Phallon was the featured artist as a part of the Pillars of Art Program which was created to introduce tourists to Bend’s unique arts and culture scene. She had several shows at Franklin Crossing and three murals as part of the “tin pan alley project” in downtown Bend.

“I have several paintings with private collectors and in women’s health clinics and have taught art classes at Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD),” she said.

Phallon will teach art classes at the Good Day Café (adjacent to Bedouin) on Hood Avenue in Sisters on Mondays beginning Monday, January 27, from 1 to 5 p.m.

“My classes will be very casual, drop-in-anytime-type class — a very basic painting skills class unstructured and lively with acrylics. I want it to also be a social experience and will serve coffee and hot cocoa,” she said.

“My favorite part of instructing painting classes is when people insist they are incapable of anything that looks like art and then walk away understanding their own abilities. I usually start them with shapes that are common to everyone and then show them how it can evolve into art. Students can spend a little bit of time or come back on and off to continue working on their masterpiece.”

Email Canvasdablock for more information.