Teatime with Meredith Wing

The trees are getting fuller, flora is budding, and the sun is staying a little longer. Slowly but surely, we can feel the streets of New York City coming to life with the warmth of spring. To many of us, a vegetable is a vegetable and a flower is a flower. To Meredith Wing, a lemon wedge could be a stylish hat, broccoli florets could stand as statement earrings, and petals could compose the layers of a beautiful gown. As an illustrator, Meredith sees the world through her own special lens.

Art has always been a part of Meredith’s life, but her brand MooMooi fully cultivates her exposure to fashion, writing, architecture and French culture. Her playfully creative multimedia art form has garnered the attention of major clients, such as Soho House, Tory Burch and Herbal Essences. And it’s no surprise why– Meredith’s optimistic art reminds us to always take notice of the beauty that constantly surrounds us, both tangible and intangible.

                                      Photo Credit: Sera j. Wright

Morning routine?

Find all my pajama parts scattered around the bedroom and make the bed right away! #Butfirstcoffee: Americano with oat milk at my corner cafe in Williamsburg – Gotan! Catch up on news with NPR podcast on the way there… Then I respond to all of last night’s text messages, go for a run if I’m feeling motivated, sit at my desk and spend a few moments peacefully observing the mini episodes of others’ quotidien routines (not to be too voyeuristic, but rather feel connected to humanity!).

How do you stay in shape?

Jogging three or so times a week and walking around the neighborhood–mostly to go get pastries and come back (so it has not been working well for staying in shape!).

Cure for creative block?

If I’m feeling blocked creatively, I will go do something else and come back to it later… Readjust my eyes on something other than the paper or the screen… Make a cup of coffee… Do something physical instead. When I return, the project is a little more fresh. I try not to force it.

Evening routine?

Dinner with my husband: Usually a simple meal we cook at home or pick up at Whole Foods! Then… Eating dark chocolate and scrolling through Ebay for vintage! In theory, I am reading a book, but really I fall asleep so quickly when doing it in bed that I can’t read that way anymore. My husband and I also love to watch documentaries. We recently watched one about a little known but prolific sculptor living in LA—so fascinating to have a peek into others’ lives and the depth of life experience all around us.

By your bed?

Citrine crystal given to me by my best friend, Amber. A New Yorker several weeks old, with a sticker marking the page of an unfinished article. Always a water bottle.

On your desk?

A ceramic jar of technical pens, delphinium flowers, laptop, scanner, Moleskine notebook, Airpods, and every type of cable you could ever need.

Guilty pleasure?

Van Leeuwen ice cream and Britney Spears.

Most overused phrase?

“Google it.”

Favorite quote/personal motto?

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.” — LUCILLE BALL

Advice to your 20-year old self?

Traditional, white collar jobs are overrated.

One thing you’d change about your profession?

More hand drawing, less digital! Better pay!

What does it mean to you to be an empowered woman?

Being an empowered woman means being unapologetically original and myself. It means owning the good parts and the bad parts of myself. It means showing gratitude, taking responsibility for having a first-world female experience, and empathizing with plights of women around the globe. We are all part of the same community and only as liberated as our most oppressed peer.

People are surprised that you are…

Super-duper OCD.

Proudest moment?

Burts Bee’s or Herbal Essences campaign!

Greatest role model?

My father; he is always going the extra mile with a smile, be it creatively, personally or professionally.

Risk that’s paid off?

Moving to Paris for two years after college.