The Argus Presents: Morgan Flanagan

While roaming the Lakehead University Orillia campus, you’re bound to encounter new faces: and lots of them! One of these faces belongs to third-year Con-Ed student and artist, Morgan Flanagan. During a recent interview with Morgan, she outlined her background as an artist, the elements of her inspiration, and where her art fits into her future career. 

“One-line drawing I did during my first year while in Professor Adam's art class at Lakehead. The entire drawing is one continuous line. I later added to the drawing by colouring different sections.”

When asked about her beginnings as an artist, Morgan told us her family always worked to encourage exploration and curiosity within the world of art. “As a kid, I really liked crafts, but I actually started sketching when my mother was teaching art classes out of our house when I was in elementary school.” This exposure to art as a child ignited a passion and led Morgan to enrol in an art school before studying at Lakehead University. “I took Jeff Adam’s first-year “introduction to art” (VISU-1150) at Lakehead University. While I am still far from my mother’s expertise, I think art is fun. I love creating something out of nothing and I am grateful to rekindle my passion for art.”

“Practice sketch before attempting to complete a bigger work.”

When asked what her overall goal as an artist is, Morgan humbly replied, “to always be improving. There is always something new to learn about art, expression, and techniques; with each new lesson, I get closer to making the art in my head into reality.” As a non-artist, to hear someone who already seems so elite in their craft still looking for ways to improve was quite striking. 

Next we dove into questions regarding her abilities and interests across mediums. Morgan informed us she will work with whatever she can get her hands on: “If I am drawing to relax, I often do pencil sketches or one-line drawings. Otherwise, I have recently been dabbling in pyrography (a hobby I picked up in quarantine). I work to sand down the wood and burn my designs with various tools before hand-crafted into objects by the wonderful Gail. Once she shapes the wood, I do any touch-ups and seal the wood with beeswax before the finished products find new homes. It requires a great deal of patience, but I am enjoying creating designs on signs, cutting boards, and Christmas ornaments.”  Morgan also mentioned an upcoming painting course she is preparing for by working more with watercolours and acrylics. 

“The designs in the wooden spoon, and cutting boards are examples of my pyrography work. Christmas decorations coming soon!”

“The kayak painting was done using acrylics and was based off of a photo taken while I was whitewater kayaking this summer at the Mindin Whitewater Preserve. My intent was to capture the moment right before flipping upside down and rolling back up.”

As Morgan moves past Lakehead, on to teachers college, and further into a teaching position, she sees art as a valuable asset, not only for her but also for her students: “Art and being creative is something that I believe will play a substantial role in my future career as a teacher. Cross-curricular activities, in particular, are a great way to include opportunities for students to expand their artistic abilities, and think creatively.” 

“The faces, and the skulls are all practice sketches I did before attempting to complete bigger works. I included them here as I am a firm believer that art is a process, and that your continual practice is where your artistic style is most authentic…”

“…I have also come to learn that creating anything is better than doing nothing, and to improve at any skill, you must take pride in the process.”