Meet Meghan & Salt Water Press

Hello from Juneau, Alaska! I write (and re-write every few months) this little “About Me” section from my home at the foot of a mountain, nestled near a glacier. And yes, it does feels a little bit like a J.R.R. Tolkien intro as I type it. 

I’m Meghan, owner and operator of Salt Water Press. Like many Alaskans, I’ve done a little bit of everything in my career, but I keep coming back to science and art. The daughter of two biologists, my early years were spent at remote fish hatcheries - playing on beaches, living amongst the bears and seals and eagles and ravens. When I went through school, I could never choose a “one-size-fits all” pathway, and ended up majoring in biology and minoring in art. Fast forward 10 years, and after jobs in both scientific research and arts administration, I discovered letterpress printing. I fell head-over-heels for it, the perfect way to combine my passion for visual art with an obsessive need to project manage and methodically work through tasks. 

Much of my illustrative inspiration comes from a deep appreciation of the rocky shores and lush forests I get to call home. I’ve long been obsessed with drawing species and their surroundings, trying to capture life on the coast. That being said - I’ve never been a realist while drawing and painting, and my style is often bold, quirky, and loose. If I’m fortunate enough to print for you, I’ll spend a lot of time researching your subject matter, style and preferred aesthetic. I care deeply about my work connecting with you, and your experience with Salt Water Press. I take pride in my hands-on approach, and do my best to deftly navigate the tedious process of putting ideas to printing machine to paper. 

Salt Water Press celebrates juxtapositions - old and new, mechanical and hand-crafted, science and art. Through Salt Water Press, I am able to create printed works for all kinds of purposes and clients - wedding stationery, greeting cards, art prints, and more. I believe the process is just as fun as the product. I believe in inspiring surroundings, inspiring clients, connecting with my community, and being present. 

What’s in the future for Salt Water Press? So many things. But in a nutshell, community classes and workshops, poster printing to raise your voice, and more. We’re only limited by what we can dream up.

Salt Water Press was originally the brainchild of Meghan Chambers and Tayler Bare. It is now exclusively owned and operated by Meghan, but Tayler remains an active and supportive friend in both life and business.