COLOUR AND SKULLS : Morgan Connoley

Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you my interview with the beyond talented, Morgan Connoley. I first stumbled upon Morgan when I found her Facebook page about 6 months ago. From that moment I have been OBSESSED with everything this very driven lady creates. Her fanciful works are being snapped up as soon as they go on sale, and no wonder, they're every bit as fabulous as the lady behind the brush. Not only is Morgan making waves locally, she's being recognised on a National level; her works being sold in a  plethora of outposts, she's in the running for the YEN MAGAZINE Female Art Awards, and interest in her work has appeared all the way from Los Angeles. 

The Geelong born and raised artist, with whom I share a love of New York, Mexico and all things Dan Hillier, took some time out of her uber busy schedule to answer my questions below. We talked all things design, travel and music. Take a look...

I search the web daily for new sources of inspiration. Whether it be art, a photo, a quote, a space, a blog, a magazine, a chair, a person or even just a colour. What is your biggest source of inspiration?

I draw my inspiration from lots of different things, blogs, websites & magazines provide a huge amount of inspiration but I also draw it from friends, family, exercise and general health and wellbeing, I'm a big believer in starting with a healthy body and mind...

Who do you look to for inspiration, both personally and professionally?

I am inspired by so many people: Australian artists Bec Winnel & Kelly Smith, Dan Hillier, Yayoi Kusama, Damian Hirst, Fafi, Black List Studio and my friends: Jenna Ramondo & Laura Alice who are also artists.

I find your works to be simple and clean, yet fanciful and romantic even. What are the ideas and meanings behind your 'Colour and Skulls' Series?

A few people have asked me if there was a deeper or hidden meaning behind my 'Colour & Skulls' series, unfortunately there is not ... Mexico is a country that I have always wanted to visit, their 'Day of the Dead' festival fascinates me and I guess it all stemmed from there. I was fortunate enough that the whole skull trend was on par with the timing of my collection, hence their success.

My very own 'Colour and Skulls' print in my house.

Having very recently purchased one of your prints, I find myself staring at it endlessly; every stroke of your pencil, every shaded corner, the light, the shade and the texture. What techniques are you fond of and why do you use them?

I have studied art both through schooling to private tuition to a degree at University and through the years I have learned a lot about technique, however when I'm drawing I don't 'think about' what I'm doing, I don't plan my moves with the pen, it just happens! With the 'Colour & Skulls' series the first few illustrations I wanted to actually look like a drawing, not photorealism, so they have a lot of contrast, cross hatch etc.  With the newer pieces in the collection I've been really concentrating on my hand eye coordination, testing myself as to how real I can make something look ... which is new for me!

Neon 'Colour and Skulls' Works, completely SOLD OUT! Another collection on the way perhaps? We can all keep our fingers crossed!

The Wolf, one of my personal favourites. Need to get my hands on one of these. 

Being from the same small town, I know how hard it is to gain the recognition that you need to succeed, which by the way you doing amazing at, what would be the biggest challenges an upcoming artist like yourself faces?

There are a few challenges that I have come up against whilst trying to gain recognition, firstly trying not to 'pester' people, or push your work too much. If all they see in their facebook newsfeed is my work, they'll get sick of it and 'unlike' my page so I've been planning my posts/uploads to certain nights/times and using instagram in between. I have a much larger fan base on instagram.

Competition. That ugly word that nobody wants to mention! We all have it, and I have experienced the ugly side, the nasty side of people being bitter.  This was one of the reasons that we set up the 'Geelong Illustrators Collective'. We wanted somewhere for like minded people to interact, throw around ideas, help each other out. Not be spiteful, jealous or bitter. Geelong is a small place, too smaller place to not get along with people.

The accessibility to quality artwork for everyday people has changed of the last couple of years, why do you think this is?

Social media platforms, namely Facebook, Instagram and blog spot have contributed hugely to my success as an illustrator thus far. Being able to press a button and 'push' my work out globally is almost unfathomable! But I am hugely thankful that I have these technologies to do so.  I have had contact from art shops in California that I didn't know had been following my work! It never ceases to amaze me how people have found my work online. Not surprisingly, more of my work has been sold via facebook than in the various retail outlets and galleries across Geelong and Melbourne.

The online world also allows us artists to find ways to involve ourselves in the art community. Sales aren't the be all and end all

Our world is becoming increasingly digitalised, for example, the demise of print media in favour of electronic versions. Do you think a shift towards electronic or digitalised artwork is likely? Is that something you are/would dive into?

As you would probably imagine, I'm a big lover of print. I studied Graphic Design! I will ALWAYS like to see my work printed, on paper!

There is something about electronic art that seems false to me. People say that print is dying, I think that is an overstatement. Yes, its becoming less common, but it won't ever die. If it does, I want a new career! As simple as that. 

Being a designer, I know the importance of artwork in any space. Do you have any advice for home owners buying artwork for themselves?

Artwork in your house must have significance to you. Be it a piece that you purchased while traveling overseas, a piece that was given to by a dear friend, a piece that come from your grandparents house ... if its there simply to decorate a wall, it is sterile, you can't interact with it. There is not one piece of artwork that I own, that doesn't have a story behind it.

I am also a huge campaigner for supporting the local artists in your area. Buying from local art shops/markets who support local artists. We're all just trying to pave our own way.

Moving from art into textiles? Look out home wares stores, Morgan is coming!

Not only do Morgan's designs look amazing singly, but the look even better in a large group. 

Any exciting works, exhibitions or collaborations coming up?

2 friends and myself have started up a little side project called 'Geelong Illustrators'.

'Geelong Illustrators' is a small collective of young artists from Geelong & surrounds, designed to be a platform for illustrative artists to collaborate and inspire through group exhibitions, meets, mutual support and crafternoons. We aim to inspire each other to high standards of creativity with zero pretentiousness. 

Geelong Illustrators is the brainchild of three artsy ladies - Morgan Connoley, Jenna Ramondo and Laura Alice - whose love of inky, story-telling pictures and dreams of a collaborative community unfurled into this fledgling project. The idea came with the realization that Geelong had a strong group of amazing illustrative artists whose talent remain untapped. 

Our definition of illustration is inspired by the movement towards 'story-telling imagery with a hand-drawn feel'. It is not specific to the traditional forms of illustrative applications, but rather expresses a certain stylistic school of artwork that has recently emerged.

Our debut exhibition to be held mid this year.

Morgan's Illustrations were recently used in 'FASHION JOURNAL' Magazine.

Local Press clippings; Morgan and The Geelong Illustrators Club featured in 'OUR PLACE'.

'THE GEELONG ADVERTISER' features Morgan in their lifestyle magazine 'GT'

Your number one goal in life?

To remain healthy. I suffer from Crohns Disease and got quite unwell last year which ultimately lead to emergency surgery. I've always considered myself a healthy person but since my operation I vowed to try harder. I have gotten into the whole 'clean eating' thing, gotten back into exercise, trying to have more time at the beach rather than in my studio. Generally just keeping myself the best that I can be.

Favourite design store?

I have LOADS of favourite design stores: Hermon & Hermon in Richmond, Rigby's in Barwon Heads, KYO In Ocean Grove, Mill Markets in Geelong, Ballyhoo Art in Geelong, Signed & Numbered in Prahan, Kitson in LA, Artist & Fleas Markets in Chelsea, NYC, 

Your interior design style? Do you have any favourite interior designers? Or favourite spaces?

My interior design style is definitely eclectic, a combination of old and new, from an antique meat chest and succulents in pots, to framed Dan Hillier artwork and a dining table from Thailand that's made of old Thai fishing boats. I put a lot of thought into pieces that I pick for my house. I draw a lot of inspiration from design blogs, websites & interior design magazines.

My partner and I are currently having plans drawn up for our house that we are building which is based on the style of warehouses converted into open residential living spaces.

With an unlimited budget, what would be the one piece you would love for your home?

At the moment? I'm on the hunt for a Kilim rug ... how boring does that sound?! I love Turkish farbics, rugs & cushions. 

But with unlimited budget ... I would LOVE a Frida Kahlo self portrait! Or another Dan Hillier, perhaps an original Dan Hillier ... wall sized! Now you've got me thinking!

What do you love about Melbourne?

I love the food, the laneways, the little independent shops, the individuality there are countless pieces of Melbourne that I love ... but these days, I love the coast even more.

What is your favourite city in the world and why?

Absolutely 100% New York City, I know it sounds cliche...

I've been fortunate enough to do a bit of traveling but I have never felt how I felt whilst in New York City. I'd move there in a heart beat.

The vibe, the art, the people, the apartments, the markets ... everything is just so inspiring and welcoming. I felt at home in New York.

If you could go to any city that you’ve never visited, what would it be?

I would really like to go to Mexico next ... but if you're asking specifically a city, I would love to check out the art scene in Berlin. I hear its super edgy.

If I looked at your iPod, what was the last song you listened to?

'Substance' by Girls, my favourite band. I find Christopher Owens' lyrics fascinating.

How can people get in touch with you regarding potential commissioned works or purchasing your work?

Most of my orders come through my facebook page: www.facebook.com/morganconnoleyillustrator or via instagram: @colour_and_skulls

Morgan has also just launched her first online store. 

http://www.colourandskulls.bigcartel.com/

So there you have it. An ambitious young designer with her eyes firmly set on amazing things. Be sure to check out Morgan's Facebook page, and follow her on Instagram. With new and exciting things coming all the time from this delightful lady, you don't want to miss out. 

Black Beauty

Black; its chic, simple, elegant, dramatic and oh so sexy. Why are people so scared off when it comes to the colour black and their interiors. Be bold, be brave and take the plunge; it might be just the colour to take your room from 'display home perfection' to  lustrous chic. 

Its true what they say, once you go black, you never go back!

The reverse 'Pop of Colour'. Create a secluded nook within a bright room.

The Industrial quality of the above vanity softens the harshness of the black walls. Classic marble bench tops tie the two together beautifully. 

Dramatic and textural. Loving the combination of the natural materials. Stone and timber.

The combination of matte and gloss. Amazing. 

Nothing I love more than a dark, sexy shower. Those monochrome Islamic inspired tiles add drama to an otherwise very simple shower.  

Greg Natalie magic. 

The Uber chic pad of designer Vera Wang

Monochrome palettes allow you to go crazy with seasonal colours. Pink....Yellow....Orange...

New York City Apartment by Haus Interior . IN LOVE with these lacquered walls.

If using black on the whole room is a little too serious for the commitment-phobes of us out there, try using black as an accent in a monochromatic space.

A black feature wall balances the heaviness of the black sofa. The over scale lamps add to the dramatic space. 

Make a statement with a black door. The high contrast between white and black will always be a winner; simple, classic and timeless. 

Black timber flooring will make any room seem so much bigger!

So my hot tips for using black in your home:

1. Be brave. At the end of the day, its only paint. 

2. Play with the colour. Think about it in 3D. Think about tones, textures, materials and objects. It can be taken a lot further than the 1D surface of your walls. 

3. Think outside the box. Wallpaper is no longer a tacky thing of the past. Get on board with amazing black and monochrome wallpapers available at designers like Cole and Son , Osborne and Little and Marimekko just to name a few.

4. Think about accessories. Lamps, throws, cushions, picture frames, artwork and even floor rugs. Country Road Home , Armadillo and Co Rugs , Dash and Albert , Jonathan Adler , Haus Interior and even Flair Home Collection are known for being constantly inspired by these muted colour palettes

5. Don't be afraid to combine and clash patterns. As a rule of thumb, if the patterns are in the same colour tones, they'll go together in a nice 'off' way. The beautiful thing about interiors is that they're never quite perfect...there's something nice about walking into a space that's a little 'off'. Design is NOT colour by numbers. 

6. ALWAYS REMEMBER: If it goes wrong, its simple. Just start again. Paint it white, return the rug, sell the couch. You'll never know unless you give it a a go. 

Design's meant to be fun, so go enjoy it.