Meegan Barnes is a Los Angeles-based ceramic artist and painter who showcases the city’s popular landmarks in her sculptures. Iconic music venues like The Troubadour, The Viper Room, and The Hollywood Bowl have all been rendered in ceramic form, as well as popular eateries and hangouts such as Musso & Frank’s, In-N-Out, and the Hollywood Roosevelt. Her work is often quite tongue-in-cheek, as evidenced by the piece she created based on the news story about a Cybertruck crashing into the Beverly Hills Hotel, or the nipple-pierced Jon Hamm sitting in a wooden tub from the most recent season of Fargo. She also captures specific moments in music history, such as the formation of Guns N’ Roses at Canter’s Deli, solidifying her role as an “anthropologist” of Los Angeles culture.
Barnes’s artistic journey began in the Bay Area, where a childhood steeped in music and art inspired her to study illustration at the California College of the Arts (CCA). After working as a designer and illustrator, she discovered her passion for ceramics while living in San Francisco, initially gaining recognition for her ceramic sculptures of butts. Her artistic repertoire extends beyond ceramics to painting, a medium she revisited, drawing inspiration from her background in illustration.
Barnes continues to bring the vibrant culture of Los Angeles to life through her distinctive and playful artistic lens, blending her talents in both ceramics and painting to celebrate the city’s spirit.
First album you bought?
Duran Duran Rio. My bedroom was plastered with their posters.
Last album you bought?
Santigold. We were friends since before she started doing music. I called her from my flip phone in Tower Records to geek out.
First concert?
Duran Duran at the Oakland Coliseum, what can I say, I was a super fan.
Last concert?
John Legend at The Greek
Was there one album that made a significant impression on you?
Toss-up between Mary J. Blige’s What’s the 411? and Everything But The Girl’s Amplified Heart, which I cried myself to sleep to during a bad breakup.
Who is your musical hero?
Beyoncé
How important is music to your creative process?
It’s everything. I have to have music on when I’m working. Some people can listen to podcasts or have shows on, but not me. I’m usually singing out loud, and taking dance breaks helps keep the blood flowing.
BONUS: What is your favorite album cover of all time (and why)?
Queen – News of the World album scared the shit out of me as a kid. It opens up into this horrifically mesmerizing scene that you just have to see for yourself. It’s even more scary now, given the rise of AI.
Tems – Damages
Sade – Nothing Can Come Between Us
Jungle, Channel Tres – I’ve Been In Love
Snoh Aalegra – Whoa
Tierra Whack – Moovies
Neil Frances – Music Sounds Better With You
Drake – Nice For What
Rhye – Come In Closer
Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Khruangbin – People Everywhere (Still Alive)
Sault – Wildfires
Bruce Springsteen – I’m On Fire
Father John Misty – Pure Comedy
Check out Meegan’s playlist below on Spotify. Be sure to like Background Noise on Facebook for updates on future episodes. You can browse ALL the Background Noise episodes right here.
