Mary E. Morgan Art Studios
My philosophy of art is simple: man was created and thus has a creative nature. It is my fundamental belief that every individual is inherently creative and expresses this creativity in various ways. For me, creating visual art stems from an inner necessity to create. Though my methods and creations have developed over time, they are a fluid entity, which continue to morph in the process of personal growth and artistic discovery. Art is a marriage of inner and outer world experiences, of the past and present nature.
I have learned through the years that taking ownership of one’s creativity is a paradox, frustrating while rewarding at the same time. Sometimes an idea fails to produce a product that effectively communicates the initial purpose or theory; however, it is rewarding when the product communicates an unintentional message, one born only from the creative process itself. Public opinion is a secondary reward; however, it is always affirming as an artist to hear, “The artwork speaks to me” or “I really enjoy your technique or colors.” Accepting the fact that I am an artist with creativity and the ability to produce artwork has been difficult. Time to create was a luxury I could not afford when my children were young, and I was working full time to contribute to family financial needs. After putting my artistic production on the back burner for so long, going back to school and learning how to be creative was a challenge. Raising three children, teaching art and just living had been more than enough to fill my days; however, I began to recognize that my spirit was suffering. As much as I loved doing all that I was doing, something inside of me was missing. Only when I began to have more time for myself could I begin to think that maybe I could be an artist and perhaps I hadn’t been fair to my creative self. Obtaining my MA was a key turning point in my artistic experience. Having my husband’s support was invaluable. Now, I am a college professor of painting and an artist, experiencing the joy and satisfaction that comes with nurturing my creative spirit.