Meet Brittany Morgan | Visual Artist and Craftswoman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In the pursuit of following my dreams, I wanted to hone in on my creativity and artistic abilities. Art has always been a staple in my life and I implemented my talents throughout my educational career. My high school was a magnet school and I graduated as the only African American Visual Arts student in that class. Continuing on to my college years, I graduated from the University of Louisville with a Fine Arts degree. My educational journey has been sparked again and I’ve just recently been accepted into Edinboro University’s Art Therapy Master’s program.

Art and creativity coincide together as a guide in my life and my small business of being a practicing Visual Artist and Craftswoman. With a career path of Art Therapy in motion, my artistic background will be used to help heal others through creating works of art. The most rewarding thing about being an Artist and pursuing a career in the field is that I can bring someone’s vision or once in a lifetime moment into a piece that lasts forever. Providing a little piece of myself, a tangible entity, to recipients all across the world is what inspires me the MOST as an Artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being an African American, Female Visual Artist my art represents me and those who look like me. I paint images that are relevant to my community and portray themes that inspire others. Sometimes it is hard to stay positive and paint light hearted images of African Americans during a time where more images of oppression are expected. I want to show that there are more layers to what makes my culture and background worthy of praise.

Towards the end of my college career, I joined a Black-Greek Letter Organization (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.) and my Art career began to evolve. I would create custom works of art, painted paddles, painted clothing items, and create crafts centered around the remaining eight Black-Greek Letter Organizations in the National Pan-Hellenic Council on my campus. When I graduated, I customized my graduation cap for my big day and little to my knowledge (or expectation) my artistic career took off! I was soon asked by upcoming graduates all across the U.S. to customize ‘their’ graduation caps and I’ve done this now for over ten years. Within this time frame, I am most proud of being featured on Essence Magazine’s website showcasing the ‘Best Graduation Caps of 2017′. I had no idea until a prospective customer said “I fell in love with your work when I saw it on essence.com”…wow! What an honor.

To look at how far I’ve come as an Artist and Craftswoman, it definitely hasn’t been easy but knowing that I get to create pieces of work for others’ most special and memorable days of their lives is what is MOST inspiring. I’ve always worked for other small businesses and have gained the most of my professionalism and business knowledge from such. It’s inspiring to see people who are now millionaires also start from the ground up. Their drive, persistence, and patience was at the forefront of their success and I took notes.

Creating for others has been the key to unlocking my success thus far but I feel that my dreams are much larger. I feel that I can touch others not solely tangibly with artistic items but through my gift and knowledge of art. In pursuing my Master’s in Art Therapy this fall I will do just that. I want to utilize my artistic and creative background to really make an impact on people’s personal lives and psychological well being.

I want the world to know that art is embedded in me and I was created to create.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this should be fun! I love to curate and set the mood for a good trip. I love to do the touristy things but also get a little lost and stumble upon gems.

The start of our trip in Miami, it would be a South Beach kind of day! Having lunch and a monstrous drink at the Sugar Factory is social media worthy. Walking down Collins Ave/Ocean Drive and seeing all of the hotel façades and neon lights is really fun to do. We may even stop at Wet Willie’s and make the “hard” decision of choosing the right margarita. With the beach just a few steps away, we’ll venture over and scope out the cutest painted lifeguard post to snap some pics of…and maybe even next to. I mean, who visits South Beach and doesn’t take a selfie by a lifeguard post?

I like to make my vacation days “themed” so another day/adventure would lead us to the Walls of Wynwood. As an artist, I LOVE just walking around the neighborhood and looking at all of the different pieces/styles on the walls. ‘Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop’ is a MUST to stop at for a larger than life slice of heaven.

Continuing on to another curated day, with such prominent Cuban influence in the city, all things Cuban for this day! An early lunch at ‘Havana 1957’ on Ocean Drive to indulge in some Cuban delicacies and a mojito (or two) to get our day started before we head to ‘Little Havana’. Once we arrive, the photo op next to one of the famous Calle Ocho Roosters is a must. A cold, Cuba Libre and maybe even a cigar will make for a wonderful trip to Little Havana.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Parents, Harrison and Pamela, have both been a pivotal force behind the woman that I am today. Both possessing artistic capabilities, my Parents never steered me away from following a career path in the field of art. Growing up in a low-socioeconomic neighborhood, my Parents never allowed our family finances to get in the way of having me be a part of art camps, classes, and extracurricular activities. I owe them everything that I am because they believed in and encouraged me to keep going.

A career in Art can sometimes come across as whimsical and not worthy. Regardless of such, I find joy in what I do and what I ‘will’ do in my future. My Father passed away unexpectedly during the semester that I was intended to graduate from college. To say that my life was turned upside down would be an understatement. However, I thought about how much my Father believed in me and rooted for me to keep pursuing my dreams. I couldn’t fail him at that point and I knew that doing what I love would be the best way to honor him.

Harrison and Pamela, this is for you! All that I am, all that I will be and all that I ‘can’ be.

Website: www.brenee-ac.com

Instagram: @brenee.artscrafts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BReneeArtsCrafts