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.
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.”
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!”
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.”