Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Allen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My artistic career began at an early age as a method to convey emotions and cope with distressful situations in my life. I still strive to express raw emotions in my work and I believe the process of automatism is the best way to be explicit with an audience. Motifs of horses, canines, and birds are commonly used in my art to express poise, anger, and anxiety respectively. I take inspiration most strongly from my experiences in life, in meeting new people, travel, nature, and understanding our history’s relevance to the present.
I have studied Studio Arts at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas; and most recently at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. I have traveled abroad in Spain, France, and Italy to study the Masters of Art & Architecture. It was here that I was influenced by the way the Masters used allegories to hint towards the symbolic meanings behind their artwork.
Since moving to Chicago in 2013, I have developed & quickly mastered my skills in custom framing. I began custom framing at Picture Us Galleries and later Frames First, seeking to widen my skill set as an artisan. Presently I call Chicago home, where I work independently as a freelance artist & illustrator. I have a number of publications, including two completed books in the series: “The Adventures of Lily & the Fox”.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every challenge along the way has been a reminder to believe in my vision. Every obstacle has been an opportunity to resolve my doubts. The biggest struggle has been believing in myself. Not everyone will believe in you, but believing in yourself is essential to accomplishing any task.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
SeedyStudios.com is most notorious for its customizable art, which includes: family portraits painted in watercolors, whimsical pet portraits, and illustrative couples portraits. I offer framing and gift-wrapping for the perfect present shipped to your doorstep. SeedyStudios shares daily sketchbook updates (on Instagram & Facebook)– because I am constantly creating new things!
My clients love being updated with frequent, live video streams of their commissioned artwork in the making. SeedyStudios.com is a place where you may browse & purchase original artwork produced with a variety of mediums including watercolors, acrylic paints, inks, markers, and more. It is a place where you seek the unique, and discover the remarkable.
What were you like growing up?
I was definitely a really weird kid! Ask anyone, and they probably have a story to tell you. I was viewed as an outsider and a loner most of the time, but the moments I remember feeling most accepted by others is when I was making art. I was always an artist, but coming out of my shell began somewhere withdrawing at the lunch table & recess, allowing my classmates to watch me create.
When I wasn’t drawing unicorns & wolves: I rode horses as often as I could and had more pets in my childhood than most folks have in a lifetime. At the time I wanted to be a veterinarian, so I volunteered at the local animal shelter weekly, walked my neighbors’ dogs, and trained animals. I was almost always outdoors, and when I wasn’t, you know I was making art.
Pricing:
- Custom Pet Portraits: $30-$300, depends on size, medium, and the number of pets
- Illustrative People Portraits: $70-$300, depends on size, a number of folks, and overall complexity of the scene.
- Art Prints: $12-$80, including giclée, large canvas reproductions, and more!
Contact Info:
- Website: SeedyStudios.com
- Phone: 202-643-6457
- Email: seedystudios@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedystudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeedyStudios/
- Other: http://morganallen.daportfolio.com/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
