INSTAGRAM – SHOW PONY

meg.tait_showpony

Illuminated artwork & fairground-inspired signs.
👇 Shop limited edition signs, cut-outs and prints.
/ Email for bespoke projects

✨ NEW ✨ One-of-a-kind Large Smileys. Painted u

✨ NEW ✨ One-of-a-kind Large Smileys. Painted using a combination of tape and free-hand, and then distressed making each a true one-off.

These pieces began with what I initially considered imperfections and had intended to throw away;

Where my work is usually incredibly neat, periodically I notice small flaws (small dents in the wood, a paint-bleed that I can't fix etc). My first instinct was always to throw them away. Instead I put them to one side, and eventually I began sanding them back, with the intention of reusing the wood and avoid unnecessary waste.

Part-way through the sanding process, I stopped and looked again. The layers, marks and worn surfaces created a more vintage, aged character that I hadn’t intended, but immediately connected with.

So, rather than sanding them back further, I've started to varnish them in a high gloss to create a series of true one-offs.

The first few sold through @paxtonglew, and they're now also available on
@artfinder_com and also my website 🙂

#smiley #distressedartwork #smileyface #showpony #signage

Hi, I'm Meg 👋 I realised it's high time I shar

Hi, I'm Meg 👋 I realised it's high time I shared an intro and the story behind what and why I do what I do 😊

I’m a Fine Art Graduate from Nottingham, now working as a full-time artist and sign-maker based in Hastings. For as long as I can remember, I've loved words, lettering, fairgrounds and signage, so when I was planning my wedding in 2015 the first thing I made was a huge 'Fabulous' sign with lightbulbs in. It lit-up the dance floor, and it sparked something in me!

I pretty much dropped what I was doing at the time (@merrimaking) and launched Show Pony; hand-making custom and entirely bespoke signs for individuals, events and galleries. I absolutely love it!

I've created pieces for ITV, Selfridges, Norman Cook, Guilty Pleasures and for adverts both online and in print.

I work between two studios in St-Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings, mostly at bizarre hours (I have young kids), and often fuelled by a lot of coffee (I have young kids!). I like to work with empowering and positive words; it's uplifting, and I believe in the positive impact it has to see them every day. Alongside my signs are typographic prints, and wooden cut-outs featuring icons of popular-culture.

I sell work through my own website (www.megtait.com), @artfinder_com, @holly.co and in independent galleries including @paxtonglew, @art_yard_sale, @atomgallery @theymadethistagram and @stelladore_gallery.

As my kids grow, so does my ambition, so stick with me, I have lots of plans!

Thanks for following ❤️ (Please do tag or share with a friend who you think may like to follow too.. it’ll help me pick things back up after the school summer holidays 🙂 xx)

A Party Pack of three Mirrorball Smileys, edged wi

A Party Pack of three Mirrorball Smileys, edged with silver, gold and rose gold glass tiles. Originally created for @art_yard_sale. Now available through my website ✌️

23 carat gold leaf, with enamel paint on glass 🍌🙂

A small series of works using the process of reverse gilding on glass. Created in collaboration with my dad 🥰 and using gold from @ashandover

Framed and ready to hang. The bananas come with an orange background. We also made Smileys, which are available with a choice of pink, orange or blue 💫

#goldleaf #goldgilding #gildedbanana #gildedsmiley bananaar

Close-up detail of a recent sign commission ~ ‘F

Close-up detail of a recent sign commission ~ ‘FUN’ painted pastel tones, and fitted with 16 lightbulbs 😍

#signage #handpaintedsign #signwithlights #lightingdesign #pastels

I've just added some brand new, one-off Smileys to

This one's for fabulous Brighton (and Hove Actuall

This one's for fabulous Brighton (and Hove Actually)

#brighton #brightonandhove #hoveactually #lasvegassign #

I make bespoke wiring for each of my signs, meanin

I make bespoke wiring for each of my signs, meaning I also have to get them PAT Tested. So shout-out to my friend David who does it for me - one of the friends I actually get to see MORE the busier I am 🙂🙌

David @moth.studio.gallery

Every single one of my Smileys starts here! Cut

Every single one of my Smileys starts here!

Cut by two absolute legends at an industrial estate in Rye. Here’s a glimpse into the process 🙂 #cnccutter

And Werk. Back from Brighton after soaking-up the

And Werk.

Back from Brighton after soaking-up the post-pride atmosphere, and feeling all kinds of energised!

#pride #brightonpride #werk #showpony #handmadesignage #signage #andwerk #pride2026

I finally managed to take my son to see the ‘Thi

I finally managed to take my son to see the ‘This Show Is So Gay’ show at @marestreetmarket

Curated by @theymadethistagram, it features work by 22 queer artists. If you’d like to see it, it’s on until the end of August!

#proud #thisshowissogay

One-off prototype for sale. Perfect condition 🙂

One-off prototype for sale. Perfect condition 🙂

Paint on wood
UV-protective dead-flat varnish
35cm
Ready to hang
Dimmable LED, backlit. USB

#smileylamp #smileylight #showpony #lightingdesign #smiley

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who cam

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who came to see my show, and to @theyard.waterworksroad for the opportunity 👯‍♀️

🌈 Pride Smileys 🌈 Created in celebration of

🌈 Pride Smileys 🌈 Created in celebration of Pride 2026, in collaboration with @theymadethistagram!

This edition of just 100 hand-painted Smileys are available online, and at the ‘This Show Is So Gay’ show at @marestreetmarket throughout July.

20cm
Paint on wood
Finished with UV-Protective varnish
Authenticated and numbered on verso
Ready to hang
Limited edition of 100 🌈

#pride2026 #thisshowissogay #showpony #theymadethis #proud #pride #coaldropsyard #smiley

Sure they’re meant to go on the wall, but they’re really fun to play with 🙌☀️

#smiley #mirrorball #discoball

💥 One-off Yes Sign available 💥 I’ve just a

My solo show "Waiting for my big break" is now ope

My solo show "Waiting for my big break" is now open... in what has to be the tallest exhibition space in town! The Net Hut, Hastings.

Next open Wednesday 8th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th or by appointment. hello@megtait.com

#waitingformybigbreak #showpony #newwork #theyard #hastings #whatsoninhastings

Ok let’s do this! Setting up at @theyard.waterw

Ok let’s do this!

Setting up at @theyard.waterworksroad today, which was a good chance to hang out with @sandersderoeper too. I love it here! ❤️🙌

A sneak glimpse into the beginnings of a collabora

A sneak glimpse into the beginnings of a collaborative series of Smileys I’m working on with @theymadethistagram for Pride 🌈

The tape-peel 😍

The tape-peel 😍

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