We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Theodore Morris III. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Theodore below.
Alright, Theodore thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I am very happy that I am a creative. I am able to create whatever I want and I can express my feelings and thoughts through the work I make. I use my creative expertise and talents to create stories and projects that reflect my feelings on particular subjects, exaggerated aspects of myself, and amplified moments of my life. I like to experiment and try new ways to tell stories whether that involves focusing on unconventional subjects or just making things that I have not made before. Though I am working a job that is not creative where I do get paid, this does not make me wonder what could have been of my life if I have taken up a different profession. I think that I feel proud of the field that I chose because it makes me happy that I get to do it how I want to, and it that it makes my peers happy seeing my work.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in Maple Heights, Ohio, I could always draw at an early age, I was influenced by animated movies and television shows from then up to now, and I am a 2022 animation BFA graduate of Kansas City Art Institute. I got into my industry from watching animated movies and television shows from as early as I can remember. Along with drawing while watching these I have developed my own stories and characters. I have always drawn using pencil, pen and paper, but during my time at school I have adapted and developed to drawing digitally. An aspect I think definitely sets me apart from other artists is my cartoonish style and unique storytelling. This is due to my influences from cartoons by creatives such as Craig McCracken, who is one of my biggest influences. I do not know many other artists who can say that they draw influence from cartoons, and I find that makes my creative process special and unconventional.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
There was one assignment back in school where our class had to find anyone in the animation industry to interview. I sent out many emails over a couple of weeks and I did not hear back from most of them. I think that there was only one week left until the assignment was due and I wanted to give up. For some reason I did not even though everything seemed hopeless. I then decided to ask for help from my instructors and I ended up getting to interview three people. It just came to show for myself that even when I want to just quit when things get hard, I still stick through whatever challenge is in my way and persevere.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
My audience is mainly my friends that I met. I made my Instagram I think back when I was in high school, and I made a YouTube channel at the beginning of the year 2023 where I post my past schoolwork and future projects. On my Instagram I just post drawings of things that I like and art of projects that I make to express and challenge myself creatively and stylistically. My advice for people to build a social media presence is to just post stuff that you like, and that you do not have to follow any trends to do so. Just do your own thing and you will find people that will think that your stuff is cool.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theodore.morris/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoremorrisiii/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theodoremorrisiii
- Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user105570729
Image Credits
Image 8 Background by Everette Corbett Image 7 Background by Shea M. Durfee