Meet Meghan DeRoma: LA Mama and Silly Street Founder

“I am an artist in many ways now, and it's taken me a lot of living to get there and to actually call myself an artist.”

WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS CAREER?

I am an artist in many ways now, and it's taken me a lot of living to get there and to actually call myself an artist. I thrive on having several creative pursuits going on at once: I write, illustrate, paint, draw, design, and make cardboard jet packs.

Careerwise, I grew up in the branding/advertising world, and though I am happy to have moved on from that towards my own projects, I am grateful for that experience. My last job was as the Global Creative Director for Toms. I picked up all kinds of useful skills and experiences in those past roles that continue to inspire and support my current projects.

Now I work on loads of things. I have a kids brand called Silly Street, several children's books that will be published over the next two years, an alcoholic beverage start-up, and a monthly collaborative art project that I curate with a close friend. I also work on branding projects like a fun boxed wine design or creative direction for Roots & Wings Foundation, a nonprofit that supports metastatic breast cancer patients.

I also make art. This is where I am doing the most pushing and exploring right now. I have yet to launch this part of my work, but it is well underway.

WHAT ARE THE NAMES AND AGES OF YOUR CHILDREN?

Bodhi, 10 and Ryder, 5.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR?

There are two moments for me that tie, and I chose them for the same reason. The first is making and launching Silly Street. I had been working on it for a long time over a maternity leave through breastfeeding and even in in-between moments like pumping at the office. One day, we got a call from Target and the game buyer was interested in our idea but they wanted to gauge interest via a Kickstarter. We had to launch a whole Kickstarter campaign in a month. I walked into the office of my boss at the time and she told me to leave that very moment — in the middle of projects and clients — to do my thing.

The second was when I signed on with my literary agent, which is a sort of grueling and ultimately hilarious story, involving a can of spray glue in a parking garage and 18 packets of hotel sewing kits. I had spent months and months putting together an illustration portfolio for a big show at my first summer conference for children's book writers and illustrators. The two weeks leading up to it had been full of all nighters and kiss-the-kids-and-go-back-to-work. I hadn't seen my husband in days and I was dealing with a fair amount of imposter syndrome and self-questioning.

The beautiful thing these two moments have in common is that they were moments when I took a risk and went after what I truly wanted to do, what I wanted my life to be like. They might not be accolades, awards, or achievements in the classic sense, but they were defining moments on my path, moments when I conquered my own self doubt and barreled through resistance to change the course of my life. I love that my kids can see me doing what I love. Because of those choices, I am not living by someone else's clock. I am flexible and available to them whenever they need me, and I have a really great pile of art supplies that they regularly raid.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A MOTHER?

Noticing the moments where someone you thought you knew just two weeks ago shows you a whole new facet of their depth, of their growing and evolving personality. Seeing these little people becoming, continually, inspires me like nothing else in the world.

AND WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING?

Homeschooling a kindergartener. More seriously, letting go of the fear of not being there to protect them at every moment. They need to take risks to learn and grow, and my two are rowdy and athletic boys — really daring little skateboarders and surfers — so it is hard not to audibly gasp sometimes.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SOMEONE NEW TO YOUR INDUSTRY?

Meet people. Find the others. The others like you. The others that have a weird obsession with eBay vintage shopping like you. Or a penchant for The Artist's Way. Or Spinal Tap. Or Lord Byron. Or podcasts. Or crystal magic. Or polaroid transfers. Whatever gets you going. This is especially true for artists and writers and entrepreneurs (speaking directly from my personal experience). For example, I have an illustration critique group that I am a part of, and it has be an incredible source of growth (in work and just as a human) and friendship. Community is so important: Having people you can trust who are in the weeds and just as ambitious, passionate, and on their path as you is invaluable. They will be your support, your cheerleaders, your guides, your teachers, your sisters. Being a part of Fashion Mamas has been amazing for this very reason.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEW MOTHER?

It's going to be ok. And always get down to eye level.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS COMING UP?

I do! I have several books coming out next year: A series of three books for Silly Street, which I illustrated and co-authored, and Awake, which is my debut as an author/illustrator. I am working on writing a musical about paleontology, and a series of sculptures and drawings on women and decoration. And I am looking for artists to participate in our monthly collaboration project (reach out if you would like to hear more! It's a really interesting project on perspective). And finally, we are launching our beverage in Spring 2021. Lots to do in the next few months, but I am thrilled to be able to spin all these plates.

Follow Meghan at @playsillystreet & @magsderoma.