The Artist Behind Evergreen Summer: Meet Meagan Crocker

Hi, I'm Meg! I'm an artist, designer, and the founder of Evergreen Summer, a stationery and gift brand inspired by sunny days, salty air, and life by the water.

I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I love experimenting with color, playing with different materials, and seeing where a blank piece of paper or canvas can take me. What started as a creative outlet eventually turned into something much bigger, but my love for making things by hand has always been at the heart of it.

A little idea that turned into something bigger

I officially launched Evergreen Summer in June 2018 after years of painting greeting cards for family and friends. I loved making things for people and seeing the joy that something as simple as a handwritten note or a little piece of artwork could bring. I thought maybe other people would enjoy them too, so I decided to give it a shot.

I started with 20 card designs and a dream. Within the first year, the business had grown beyond greeting cards to include custom murals, new product collections, and independent retailers across the country. I eventually took my work to the National Stationery Show and Shoppe Object in New York, and from there, Evergreen Summer continued to grow into the brand it is today.

Looking back, it's pretty amazing to see how far a little idea has come. What began as a way to share my artwork has grown into so many different creative opportunities, from greeting cards and stationery to original paintings, custom artwork, and home decor. I love that my work gets to be part of people's everyday lives, whether it's a card sent to a friend, a gift for a special occasion, or a piece of art hanging in someone's home.

A colorful, hands-on creative process

My style is bright, colorful, and a little abstract, with loose brushstrokes, playful shapes, and plenty of personality. I'm drawn to color and the way it can completely change the feeling of a space or brighten an otherwise ordinary day. I love getting lost in the creative process, experimenting with different colors and textures, and sometimes just seeing what happens when I put paint to paper.

Every Evergreen Summer design starts as an original piece of artwork. I work primarily in watercolor, acrylic, and gouache, often mixing different mediums to get the colors and textures I'm looking for. Some pieces come together quickly, while others take a little more experimenting before they feel just right.

I'm intentional about how my artwork makes its way into the world, too. Whether it's a greeting card, art print, or another product, I want the finished piece to retain the feeling of the original painting. We work with quality printers and prioritize eco-friendly production and recycled materials whenever possible.

One of my favorite parts of this business is seeing how artwork that started in my studio eventually finds its way into someone else's life. There's something really special about knowing a painting I made might become part of someone's home, help celebrate a milestone, or bring a smile to a friend opening their mailbox. That's the kind of thing that makes me love what I do.

The meaning behind Evergreen Summer

The name Evergreen Summer comes from the idea of wanting to take the best season of the year and bottle it up in a jar. There's something about life by the ocean that makes everything feel a little more carefree. Long sunny days, salty air, time spent outside, and that feeling that there's nowhere else you need to be.

I wanted to capture that feeling in the brand and bring it into everyday life, all year long. My goal has always been to create beautiful, artistic pieces that spark joy, creativity, and a little inspiration. I believe art should be part of everyday and remind you of the best parts of your life.

I hope that when you come across an Evergreen Summer piece it makes you feel something. Maybe it reminds you of a favorite beach day, makes you smile, inspires you to send a card to someone you love, or simply adds a little color to your day. Whatever it is, I hope it brings you joy.

A little more about me

I'm originally from outside of Chicago and made my way east to attend Syracuse University. After graduating, I moved to New York City and started my career as an art director in advertising. I loved the creative side of my work, but I found myself spending most of my nights painting and most of my weekends at the beach. Eventually, I decided to make more room for both.

In 2015, I fell in love with a Jersey boy and the Jersey Shore, and we decided to put down roots in Spring Lake. These days, you'll usually find me painting in my studio, running, shaking up a cocktail, or heading to the beach with my family.

I'm incredibly grateful that I get to spend my days making things I love and sharing them with all of you. Building Evergreen Summer has been such a fun, creative adventure, and I'm always dreaming up what's next. Thank you for being here, supporting my work, and making it possible for me to keep doing what I love. It truly means the world.

Meg