We were lucky to catch up with Morgan Broussard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Morgan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I have always been a creative since an early age however self doubt prevented me from pursuing further and learning more. As I grew into young adulthood I turned to my creative side and embraced it, surrendering to it and diving deep into learning more. I always had a natural knack for art and creating but I lacked the basic knowledge of art such as when/where to shade, highlights, perspective, values, etc. I just started to create more and more, remaining consistent with it. As I created each painting I tweaked constantly, reflected on each piece once it was complete and asked myself what I could do to improve it. As for obstacles, I feel like the pressure of trying to becoming a full-time creative and have a sustainable income from it was and still is hindering my progress. I had to step back, remind myself to create what I desire. The beauty of Art is that it is not perfect, it never can be. Letting go of that desire of perfectionism has been essential to my growth. Letting go of the fear that others will not like or understand my work also helped me blossom. Art is subjective and that is the beauty in it.
As for skills, I think proportions in portraits is one of the most essential. I’ve spent lots of time, trial and error trying to accomplish this. One thing that really helped me was watching studies on YouTube of famous works, famous artist studies such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, DalÍ, and Da Vinci. Seeing their techniques explained and pointed out in their masterpieces has been a major key in my development.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Morgan Broussard. I go by @artbymorgzz on Instagram, where I share my creations. I’ve always been creative but never pursued it consistently until almost two years ago. I was in a rough place mentally, surviving depression and anxiety and I needed an outlet, I saw a picture I loved and wanted to draw it. From that point on the rest is history. I’ve created 300+ works of art. My primary media is Paintings, however I do dabble in some digital art as well. I refer myself as a multi-medium artist as I work with oil paints, acrylics, watercolor, and gouache. I also create decals, shirts, and cups on the side from time to time. In 2022, I’ve had my most accomplishments thus far. My art been noticed several times by Actress Jennifer Tilly, Actress Jamie Clayton, and my idol YouTuber Bailey Sarian. In 2022 alone I’ve been accepted and participated in 7 art gallery shows with local Insomnia Gallery here in Houston, TX. My art is a reflection of my interests, my mind, and personal experiences. I have a fascination with horror, macabre, and all things goth and it definitely reflects into my art. This year I’ve spent a lot of time creating my favorite horror characters, discovering and developing techniques, and using art to process and heal from trauma. Art has healed me and continues to heal me daily, Each time I create it feels like magic. I want my followers/supporters to know the healing of art, how therapeutic it feels to create a masterpiece from a blank canvas, or piece of paper. I hope that I can inspire others through my art, through my healing, and my vulnerability to be myself and express myself.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Even if you cannot afford to purchase an artists work, there are many ways you can support them. Growing my following has been a struggle for me, and I’m no where near where I’d like to be. Every like, comment, share, interaction with my art immediately warms my heart. Society is quick to support celebrities and people they’ve never met, but to support a small business, an artist much more meaningful. Being a creative and having the courage to share it to the world is a very vulnerable thing to do. The world can be cruel, however there is also so much beauty and support. I urge people to support the creatives in their life, even if you can’t afford their work, share it! Like it! Comment on it! It’s all free and it helps our engagement more than you know.
“People need art in their houses, They don’t need bed bath and beyond dentist-office art. They need weird stuff”
-Ezra Croft.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, my goal is to create a stable source of income with my art. I have a long ways to go but I will not give up. I want to spend my life doing something that I love, something that is ME. I want to urge people to create, even if you think it’s bad. Just create. Doing something I love whole-heartedly for the rest of this life is my dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://morganbroussardgallery.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: @artbymorgzz
- Other: TikTok: @artbymorgzz
Image Credits
Morgan Broussard