Meet Tyler Morgan | painter, henna artist and designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
To be creative was always in me. I wanted to be a lawyer because that’s what I thought everyone wanted me to be. Not to be cliché but, doing something that you enjoy waking up to do even if you aren’t paid, when you’re sad , when you’re happy , when life is stormy and even when you feel stagnant, was and is a blessing. Even though I’m not quite doing art full time, art is escape that the Lord ordained for just for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art was always a winding road for me. comparing myself to other artists , being insecure about how different my art was and focusing on what my art was lacking almost made me quit; Eventually I realized everyone’s journey is entirely different and the new knowledge you gain continues with you on new ground. I’ve also learned the nerves before submitting or showing any art never goes away and realized it just means you care. I was always doing  unpaid commissions for family and friends earlier on my journey. After a while I would do commissions for commercial sets and sometimes film or tv. I remember how nervous I was for my first commission, when I was around 17. The smile across my face and gratitude in my heart when I saw my piece in frame was one of the happiest moments on my journey; I was ecstatic. Then later on in life I completed a digital piece for oscar winning short film “two distant strangers” which really solidified my how serious my art career was getting. Shout out, “Travon Free” for give me a credit on the film, love you for that. Seeing my name credited on something so hugely celebrated helped pull up my chin and call myself a professional. All my art is a testimony of God’s movement in my life and how tangible He is on this earth which is why hands are a common motif through out current my pieces. God is in every brush stroke and decision in my art, even long ago when I didn’t know him. While in school I merged henna along with the vast color palettes I’ve seen while shopping for saris with my grandmother and turned my sightings into mono prints. While mono printing my signature style emerged and  that eventually lead to a solo exhibition hosted and orchestrated by myself (2022)

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to grand central market and spend sometime at The Broad. Then head to echo park to Bar Bandini and El Prado. Homage in chinatown is also a fun time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to The Lord most importantly for this artistic path he carved in front of me. To my mom, my sister and my family for all the support. Again to my mom for when she didn’t get her deposit back because I got so much paint on the floor when I was younger. Shout out to my sister for wearing my crappy henna designs when I was first learning and for being my best friend. Shout out to my grandmothers and grandfathers for being a financial blessing to me and for helping my mom feed my family, for helping watch my sister and for giving me some of the most important life lessons. Lastly, to my aunt who I always have respected as a person and artistically, thank you for your artistic wisdom.

Website: https://www.tylervmorgan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/van_gotti/?hl=en