About the artist
For me, the year 2020 has been a hot boogala mess!
I didn't want to be a casualty of COVID-19. When my school shut down March of 2020, I had to re-think a lot of things.
As a junior, I wondered what my senior year would look like. Would I ever go to the prom? Would I get my first date? Would I cheer in the bleachers at ball games?
My parents had spent the last few years telling me about 'runway', in other words how much I still needed to get done before applying to college -- and now in the last summer I had to extend that runway and make the best of things -- I had to do so, while the worst of things was happening to everyone around me.
I started painting shoe boxes to relieve my stress.
My parents loved them and that made me love them more. I painted and gave my art away as presents. And then I realized that if I could turn my love of color and fashion into a business, maybe I could save my summer and my sanity.
At 16 years old, sanity is a big deal and if I could find a way to make things sane in this crazy time in our history, I would win.
It's been hard and frustrating.
I thought I could just paint phone cases and sell them.
I had no idea what it took to start a business. I can say this, though, I have learned a lot about business, securing raw materials, back room organization, sales and marketing.
I've also learned a lot about myself.
I've learned that fear and sadness and joy can live in the same room together, at the same time.
I've learned that when I sing loudly and off key, it makes my parents miserable but it makes me happy.
I've learned to take charge of my happiness, as best I can.
I've learned that no matter what's thrown at me, I can handle it and move forward.
And that's probably been the most important lesson, of all.
~ Morgan M.
~Morgan M