Angela Marie Morton: art & illustration

As late fall turns to winter, and the days get shorter and colder here in the Northern Hemisphere, I imagine many people find themselves reflecting on the past 12 months, just as I do. For most of the year, I am focused on each day, but in December, I tend to think about what the world has witnessed, what I have experienced in my own life, and about the goals I’d set for myself back in January. Globally, this year has been intense and, at times, horrific. Genocide, an ongoing pandemic, economic instability, global warming, mass shootings, all of which appear to be set to continue indefinitely. Appalling as they all are, for me, they also serve as stark reminders that life is precious and short, and can end without warning. The weight of that realization can feel crushing, but it also motivates me to not take my time on this earth for granted, and to try to contribute, even in just a small way, a bit of kindness and happiness to others through my actions and my art. Personally, this yea...

If, like me, you enjoy nerding out on all things art supplies. this post is for you. It is  all about the materials I have on constant rotation for my art, illustration, and hand lettering work.   I do research before making a purchase, so I do not accumulate masses of art supplies that will ultimately go unused. By doing my homework and being mindful, I ensure that I only bring in what I need. While I take a minimalist approach, both by choice and necessity, the limitations have encouraged me to be more creative, and to use up what I have before buying more.  So, fellow art supply lovers, here are my tried and true go-tos (this post is not sponsored): Paper   I use both watercolor paper and drawing paper. To get the most bang for my buck, I buy 9x12 pads and cut the sheets to the sizes I typically use, which are 5x5, 4x6, and 5x7. Occasionally I use the full 9x12 size, though 5x7 is my preferred size.  Drawing:   Canson Recycled Drawing Paper, 70lb. ...

  Algernon with Flower Pencil and colored pencils Life experiences, combined with personal spiritual practices and studies, have taught me the importance, value, and necessity of not looking outwardly for validation, self-worth, or identity. Refraining from dependency on external factors for fulfillment has led to a more balanced and contented life, increased confidence, and the ability to give back to people on an individual level, and to the world as a whole, with greater ease and sincerity. This simple (but not always easy to apply in practice) concept has enabled me to live more authentically, and regularly reduces decision fatigue, as I am not perpetually striving for the next material thing, stressing over things far out of my control, or taking actions based on someone else’s expectations.  One of the common themes found in the teachings of the Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, is the concept of non-attachment. The teachers, methods, and spiritual ends are different...

A pre-pandemic photo of me taken at the Oregon Coast A few days ago, I had to acknowledge to myself that the piece I’d been working on for this month's blog post was just not coming together in the way that I wanted it to. Rather than finishing it in haste, I decided to put it aside for the time being. This meant I needed to come up with something for September ASAP, so I opted for a simple and brief personal post that wasn’t as mentally taxing to write. My posts are typically focused on art and the creative process, and less on my personal life (of course, there is a bit of overlap, since life influences art, and vice versa, but you get the idea), so I hope this piece is a fun read. A Collection of Some of my Favorite Things: Favorite flavor: Pumpkin Favorite TV show: Star Trek (the original) Favorite film director(s): Federico Fellini and Charlie Chaplin Favorite childhood movie: The Explorers Favorite book(s): The Razor’s Edge by William Somerset Maugham, and Lost Horizon by J...

This post is for anyone interested in budget-friendly (read: FREE) options for presenting, and selling, their artwork online. I know from experience how overwhelming it can be to get started, and what a challenge it is when you have limited funds. My hope in writing this post, is that the research I did for myself might be of use to others.  Before getting to the list of sites and platforms I use, I thought it might be helpful to provide some context to my choices: 1) I am not a tech-oriented person.  I   use the minimum amount of technology needed to be able to exist in the modern world. Between the pandemic, and my desire and determination to do something constructive with my art, it became necessary for me to delve into unfamiliar tech territory, both in terms of websites and social media platforms, as well as acquiring minor technical knowledge and skills.  2) The sites I use need to be free. Due to budget constraints, I immediately weeded out platforms that did...

Oregon Coast at Sunset photo by Angela Marie Morton There is an expected order for going about certain things in life. From major decisions in career paths, steps in a relationship, and even finances, to smaller things such as decluttering, they all have presumed trajectories. If you deviate from the common paths, you may be looked at sideways, or may even second guess yourself because so-called experts in the field, as well as society as a whole, convey the message that there is a prescribed way of doing the respective task or step. In my own life, I tend towards intuition and spontaneity, combined with caution and practicality. I do research when necessary, in order to educate and inform myself on a subject, but ultimately, I do what is most aligned with my core beliefs and principles, and what feels right for me.  This writing was inspired by a major declutter I did back in the spring of 2020. As I was thinking back on it recently, it started me on a whole train of thought about...

With the changing of the season from spring to summer, I decided to change things up for this month’s blog post, too. While I enjoy the challenge of tying most of my writings into the broad theme of art and creativity, part of being creative is to branch out of your comfort zone on occasion. Welcome to June’s blog post, which covers how I keep my daily skincare routine simple, natural(ish), inexpensive, and minimal.  Yes, the subject is a tad fluffy, but sometimes it’s fun to indulge in a bit of fluff. I am not an expert in the field of dermatology, and this post is not sponsored. And, of course, everyone’s skin needs are different, so what works for me might not work for someone else. However, as a 40...<mumble mumble> year-old woman, after having tried various products over the years, I have concluded that, for me, less is best.  While I was fortunate enough to not have an acne problem in my teen years, I do have a history of other skin issues, and have experimented wi...

  Enso Circle Black watercolor In Zen buddhism, the term “beginner’s mind” comes up frequesntly. Books have been written about it, and pontifications abound, though it is a simple concept: approach what you are doing as if you are a novice. You will be open and receptive to the experience, and will pay close attention to what you are doing, but will not overthink anything.  I recently read an interview with the late Raymond Briggs that reminded me of this beginner's mind principle. He said he felt his first drawings were always the best, and all the drafts that followed were just attempts at trying to replicate that first drawing. I completely understood what he meant, as I have found that to be true for my own work, as of late. It is especially the case for the brush pen Asian-influenced style I do, though it is also often true for my character drawings. The first little bunny I drew in haste, so as not to forget the idea, is one of the cutest sketches I've done. There is jus...

Tulips in the Neighborhood photo by Angela Marie Morton Springtime is a time of rejuvenation, and is the perfect season for a reset. Signs of renewal and rebirth are everywhere, serving as gentle and encouraging reminders of the cyclical nature of life. It is a time to open the windows and let the fresh air in, and to change the sheets from flannel to linen. I love getting organized and refreshing spaces, both mental and physical. While I appreciate and enjoy the cleansing and joyful feeling the spring season brings, I can’t help but associate this time of year with two events that have had a huge impact on my life: WHO’s declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic which had, and continues to have, a devastating effect on my life and the lives of so many around the globe, and the death of a loved one, eighteen years ago this year. And, of course, there is Easter. The story of Easter is one of the most compelling of all time. Our household acknowledges Holy Week by listening to Gregorian chant...

AngelaMarieArt.redbubble.com   In late 2022, my husband and I had a brainstorming session regarding the future of my creative endeavors. One rainy Sunday in December, over our afternoon tea, we went through the work I had produced during the year. I'd had a few people express interest in buying pieces, after sharing them on social media, and we both felt it was time to seriously explore ways of making my art available for purchase, but were unsure of which platform and method would be best for our situation. I had done research in the past, but nothing had seemed to be a good fit, for one reason or another. In early January of 2023, we decided to take a closer look at print-on-demand sites, specifically Redbubble. It looked promising and fit our specifications so, after more detailed research, and a bit more discussion, we decided I should try it. I spent a couple of weeks getting things organized and set up and, in early February, launched my shop . As it turns out, I quite enjoy ...

Minimalist Color Palette Pen and watercolor pencils Style:   distinction, excellence, originality, and   character in any form of artistic or literary expression - Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition The above definition of the word “style” is one of many, and I felt that it was the one most suited to the topic of creativity in general and, for the purpose of this writing, art in particular. Being a self-taught artist, without industry connections or training in the field, requires me to be entirely self-driven in seeking out knowledge and information about the business, specifically illustration in my case. Luckily, my college experience provided me with the research skills needed to dive into the overwhelming sea of material available. I have learned quite a bit, some of which is objective (what an illustration agency does, licensing information, how to find and contact potential clients, and industry terminology, for example), but much of what I have glean...

Welcome, 2023. The part I like best about the close of the previous year and start of a new one, is the natural invitation it provides to make a fresh start and have a bit of a reset. I do not know of any other holiday that brings the same, unique combination of relief and anticipation. I chalk my fondness for New Year’s up to being a ¼ Scottish, as Hogmanay is the biggest celebration of the year in Scotland. I never met my maternal Glaswegian grandfather (he died in his mid 40s, when my mother and her sister were wee bairns), but he gifted me my Scottish genes via my mom, which I carry with honor.  While I do not take part in traditional New Year’s festivities in the U.S. (I am not a “party person” and I do not drink alcohol) I look forward to ringing out the old and in the new in my own, quiet way. For me, New Year’s Eve is less of a loud celebration, and more of a simple acknowledgment of another year passed. New Year’s Day is a day of relaxation, calmness, and of consciously se...