Freelance Life Archives - Travel Write Draw by Meagan Morrison

Highlight Real Podcast with Travel Write Draw’s Meagan Morrison

I sat down (virtually) with the ever lovely Josephine Kimberling of Highlight Real Podcast to talk all about the highs…

Postcard from my last day in paradise at the @Ritz

Postcard from my last day in paradise at the @RitzCarltonGrandCayman, with so many magical moments to cherish 😭🏝️🚣🏻✨. I finally had the opportunity this past weekend, to try a kayak tour of the mangroves, with their Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. I learned SO much about the importance of the mangroves to the preservation of the island and the many species living within it.

I also got to indulge in a gorgeous stress relief massage at their award winning SPA 🧖🏼‍♀️, followed by an absolute surprise and delight moment, whereby I was greeted back in my room with cookies adorning my illustrations 😭🍪👗🎨. I’m truly so blown away by the generosity and thoughtfulness put into each experience (and surprise) at this property!! Thank you so very much to the incomparable RC Grand Cayman team for another gorgeous stay!!

Wishing all of you who are celebrating, a very happy early American Thanksgiving!! I’m so grateful for you 🥹!!

All my love, xx MM

Golden moments from my weekend at the sublime @Rit

Golden moments from my weekend at the sublime @RitzCarltonGrandCayman 🏝️🌊🇰🇾. After our “Tea & Couture” event wrapped on Friday, the amazing marketing team arranged for me to have a restorative extended stay on the property 🥹. Saturday began with a private daybed on their pristine slice of Seven Mile Beach 🍉🍇🍍🍈, followed by the most epic sunset, and dinner at the beautiful @SaintJune_Cayman overlooking the water. If you’ve been before, you know just HOW magical it is, and why I continue to pinch myself every time I return. So beyond grateful!!

All my love, xx MM

Another beyond beautiful “Tea & Couture” event

Another beyond beautiful “Tea & Couture” event @RitzCarltonGrandCayman for the books 🥹🫖💎✍🏼!! I was so inspired, once again, by the beautiful guests in attendance and their impeccably chic ensembles. Models walked throughout the elegant Silver Palm space, in quintessential head-to-toe Dolce & Gabbana looks, while the new fine jewelry collection glistened in the sunlight peering through the windows ✨!! And to bring the event to even greater heights, we were serenaded by the most talented violinist @YoanViolin from start to finish 🎻😭. To say I’m grateful is an understatement. A giant THANK YOU to the RC Grand Cayman team for the continued honor!!

All my love, xx MM

Darlings, I’m over-the-MOON to have officially r

Darlings, I’m over-the-MOON to have officially returned to the @RitzCarltonGrandCayman today, in time for tomorrow’s “Tea & Couture” pt✌🏼activation!! I will be illustrating our lovely guests in accessory focused portraits, during two seatings, while the Dolce & Gabbana fine jewelry collection 💎 is showcased throughout the breathtaking Silver Palm.

I cannot believe this trip marks my third visit (in the past 12 months) to this unreal, Triple Five-Star property. It is such an honor to say it honestly feels like home now 🥹!! The superstar marketing team once again pulled out all the stops today to make me feel SO special on arrival. I spend every single second that I get to be here, pinching myself with gratitude.

Now, after a very early alarm and subsequent flight, it’s time to get my rest for tomorrow. I cannot wait to share all of the glamour and beauty with you. À demain!!

All my love, xx MM

Officially in the holiday spirit after illustratin

Officially in the holiday spirit after illustrating live custom portraits at @OmniHotels Blitzen’s Pop-Up, featuring drinks by celebrity mixologist, Julie Reiner 😍🎄✍🏼✨!! I was absolutely blown away by the magical decor and loved meeting all of the beautiful attendees dressed up to celebrate. I didn’t stop drawing for 2.5 hrs straight so the above is a small compilation of what I managed to capture 😆. Video in carousel 2 by the lovely @Teena_Wang.

All my love, xx MM

Darlings!! There are just 24hrs left to shop the @

Darlings!! There are just 24hrs left to shop the @CASETiFY x @TravelWriteDraw ✨11.11✨ SALE, including my best selling phone case “La Vie En Rose” 🇫🇷🥀, and more!! Now is the perfect time to get a head start on those holiday stocking stuffers or freshen up your tech accessories for the 2024 home stretch. It’s the last chance to get a number of the original collection pieces too, so do not miss it. Head to the link in my bio now before SALE ends!!

All my love, xx MM

Friends, I’m SO beyond delighted to invite you t

Friends, I’m SO beyond delighted to invite you to join me for another special edition of Afternoon Tea at the incomparable @RitzCarltonGrandCayman next Fri Nov 22nd 🫖💎✍🏼✨!! Choose from one of two seatings (11am or 2pm) and you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in decadent treats, while viewing Dolce & Gabbana’s newest fine jewelry collection, and receive a complimentary accessories focused portrait by yours truly 🥹. I can’t believe it’s been 4 months already since our last Tea & Couture event. I simply cannot wait to see your gorgeous faces again!!

Reserve your spot:

Phone: +1 345.815.6912
Mail: CaymanRestaurants@ritzcarlton.com

All my love, xx MM

A grade school teacher once told me that when you

A grade school teacher once told me that when you can’t see the light, be the light ✨. In this case, I decided to paint it 🥰🎨🌸. It was a quiet weekend for me, working through big feelings, and having long chats with my nearest and dearest 🥹. I don’t know what the future holds but I do know I’ll always keeping looking for the light...

All my love, xx MM

Today’s the day, my loves!! And while I still ca

Today’s the day, my loves!! And while I still can’t rock the vote, I hope you do!! Exercise your birthright and make your voice heard on the election ballot. Vote like your life depends on it, because it does 🗳️!! xx MM

Postcard from my final full day in PARAÍSO (that’s Papiamento for paradise 😉) @RitzCarltonAruba 🏝️🇦🇼✨!! The team oh-so-thoughtfully booked us the most relaxing morning massages which were followed by a surprise glass of Prosecco with chocolates waiting for us in the lounge 🥂🍫🌸😩. I then had the opportunity to do an off-property excursion to see more of the island’s natural landscape.

I was completely unaware that Aruba is in fact a desert island. My jaw hit the floor when I saw the sheer amount of cacti lining the roads, combined with that quintessential dry heat 🌵. I got to see Aruba’s famed California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, Natural Bridge, and Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins. I also learned so much about Aruba’s past, present, and future, which will enhance my art to come!!

And while I don’t have photographic evidence, I’m proud to share that on my return, I stood up paddle-boarding across the hotel’s ocean front 😆👏🏼. It was a stellar day from begining to end and I’m so very grateful!! I’d like to say a very big THANK YOU to the amazing RC Aruba team for the most beautiful trip and to the incomparable @Lee_Edelstein of @BrandmanAgency for making this trip unforgettable.

Now it’s time to finally put paint to paper with all of this inspiration!! xx MM

(1st Photo Credit) 📸: taken by the talented Mr. @Lee_Edelstein!!

I finally understand why they call Aruba “One Ha

I finally understand why they call Aruba “One Happy Island” @RitzCarltonAruba 😎🌴🥥🍹!! It doesn’t take long before you are completely enchanted by the friendly locals, stunning beaches, relaxed vibe, and vibrant architecture here!! On Day 2 of my research trip, alongside the brilliant @Lee_Edelstein of @BrandmanAgency, we were positively spoiled by the RC Aruba team with an all day beach cabana, magical trip to The Butterfly Farm, a drive through colourful Oranjestad, and the most DELICIOUS dinner at the property’s very own Casa Nonna 🍝🦞!! Let’s just say, I have no shortage of inspiration to paint from when I get back to my NYC studio!! Stay tuned for more, my loves!! xx MM

Bon Bini na Aruba, loves 🏝️🇦🇼✨!! I’

Bon Bini na Aruba, loves 🏝️🇦🇼✨!! I’m so excited to be here for the first time, on behalf of the @RitzCarltonAruba, to gather inspiration for the new illustrated VIP Postcards I’ll be creating with the team 💌!! It is rare and oh so special when I have the opportunity to visit a destination or property prior to creating the art. That means I’ll get to paint from my own lived experiences, memories, and connections made at RC Aruba, over the next few days!! I can’t wait!! Stay tuned for more and if you’ve been to Aruba before, do not hesitate to leave your suggestions below!!

All my love, xx MM

Looking to the future now 🥹🙏🏼💫. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but I didn’t realize how much I’ve been living in a sustained state of fight-or-flight until I landed back in the US 4 days ago, officially on solid ground. It’s hard to think clearly about the future when you feel the persistent weight of a ticking “visa” clock on your shoulder. I know nothing in life is ever guaranteed, but there’s a certain security that comes with knowing that you get to stay however long you’d like/need in the place you call home 🥰.

With the 10 year full-time anniversary of my business under my belt, and now my Green Card, I’m just so excited to really think about what comes next for me. It’s just unbelievably refreshing to feel this internal shift towards the long term vision. Even my priorities and values are shifting with my recent birthday in late September too. All this to say that I cannot wait for what comes next. I feel like a butterfly that just broke free from the chrysalis, who finally gets to decide which direction to fly 🦋!! Will you fly with me?!

All my love, xx MM

My loves, it is with so much relief that I share,

My loves, it is with so much relief that I share, I’m finally the recipient of the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability 💚GREEN CARD💚 😭🇺🇸🗽🥂!! I was officially approved during my interview at the US Consulate in Montreal last week and just crossed back into the US as an immigrant on Friday night!! It means everything to me to have been approved for lawful permanent residency in the US as a self-petitioner; based solely on my career as a fashion illustrator, independent of a spouse or corporate sponsor.

It took 3 years from prep to approval, 5,000+ pages of relevant press and achievements as evidence, 20+ letters of client recommendations, medical exams, police record checks, and nearly 2 decades of pursuing this career in New York to get here, but I’m HERE!! Of all the things I’ve accomplished in my career, this is undoubtedly my proudest achievement 🥹!! I feel SO MUCH PEACE knowing that the endless visa hamster wheel, of renewing my O1, and proving my worthiness of being here every 3 years, is finally OVER!!

A big, heartfelt, thank you to every single person who helped me in securing this status. I’m so excited to finally get back to regular Travel Write Draw business, moving full speed ahead, traveling freely, and serving my clients across the globe, now that this is finally behind me. This process put my entire life on hold since Sept 1st, as I prepared to cross the finish line. My takeaway from it all is this: the sky is truly the limit. You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to!! The glory is in YOU. And the next chapter has finally BEGUN 🚀!!!!

All my love, xx MM

New York, my forever muse 🥹🗽🌇💗!! Some

New York, my forever muse 🥹🗽🌇💗!! Some of you may remember that earlier this year, I was doing quite a bit of memory recall/unearthing the archives from my earliest days in the city. If you’ve been following my IG stories the past two weeks, you can now probably guess as to why that was!! A new chapter has officially begun and I’m pinching myself to have finally made it 😭. More tomorrow.

All my love, xx MM

Postcard from the most magical week, in my beloved

Postcard from the most magical week, in my beloved former home, MONTREAL 🤩🌇🇨🇦✨!! If you follow my IG stories, you know I was there to attend one of the most important interviews of my life to date 😭 (more on that to come). When I found out late August this year, that I’d be returning to Montreal to attend said interview, I had a funny feeling it was a good omen.

Moving to Montreal to attend McGill University for my BComm (a lifetime ago) marked the beginning of my young adult journey, to forge my own path. The people I met there from all corners of the globe, bursted my worldview wide open, and undoubtedly changed the course of my life forever. It was also unbelievably special to overlap with my sister there for 3 years while she completed her BA.

I’m so excited to share my raison d’être for the trip, once I’ve crossed the finish line later this week. It’s been 3 long years in the making, and completely swallowed up my life since Sept 1st, as I prepared for the last leg. Separately, I had a number of you DM me for Montreal recs so I’m planning to prepare a little city guide for you all on TravelWriteDraw.com shortly. Here’s to getting back to business oh so soon!!

All my love, xx MM