Interview with Morgana Weeks

Hi Morgana, we’re really enjoying your illustration classes at Makers Mews and we’d love to find out more about you. When did your journey with illustration first begin?

Oh gosh, well I have always drawn and doodled ever since I was a toddler, it was one of my key forms of expression. I drew pretty much every day, even if it was a small scribble. Eventually I did an A Level in art but wasn’t sure where I wanted to go with it, so I studied a Fine Art degree at Aberystwyth University. We went through every possible medium, style, and genre of art you can imagine, but the one that really inspired and felt right to me was illustration. As a child I was always reading the most wonderful books filled with magical images and enchanting art, so in my second year of study that’s what I specialised in! 

Fast forward to 2017 when, after working full time for many years in various jobs, I was diagnosed with M.E. It was very difficult to work full time but in amongst my sadness and anxiety I found myself becoming very productive with art. My sibling suggested perhaps I should expand my art and make it a business. It was terrifying at first but now in 2024 it is still going strong, and even now I am still learning and exploring illustration while doing a job I adore!

You recently collaborated with Irish singer, songwriter and storyteller Grainne Holland on a beautiful book Draiocht an Dulra, a beautiful journey through the wheel of the year through song and music. What did you learn from working on this book and which was your favourite illustration to work on?

This book was so magical to work on and I learned so much! I was working closely with Grainne to ensure the illustrations reflected her vision for the songs and captured the spirit of the stories perfectly. It was certainly eye opening to work on a project that was deeply connected with the Gaelic language and Celtic folklore and a real pleasure to explore how to incorporate those aspects into the illustrations themselves.

It’s almost impossible to choose a favourite, but I think my favourite would be the gathering of fairies dancing around the fire for the song Lunasa. The Spider fairy and his friend in An Fiodoir is another one I really loved doing!

You are so talented at lots of different illustration styles, which medium do you love working with the most?

Well, I shall say one thing here, something I also tell my students. Talent only equates to about 8% of what I do, the rest was years upon years of study and practice, experimenting with different mediums, styles, etc. It did admittedly take me a long time to find my styles and preferred mediums.

I adore working in inks and watercolours, but I also love the scratching of working in fineliner and nibbed pens. I actually worked mostly in traditional art before slowly training myself to use digital mediums too. This to be honest was more of a cost-saving tactic more than anything, I was going through so many materials each month it felt wasteful. Switching to a digital platform took another few years of practice trying to use my traditional skills and transfer them, but now I wouldn’t look back. I can create my art to appear just like my traditional works without the heaps of waste and costly materials. 

So predominantly I work digitally replicating my old methods, but I do still have a store of lovely papers and my precious inks to go back to when the mood takes me! 

In 2023 you created the Folktale Exhibition at the Watermark. What was it like to have your work on display and do you have plans to create more events like this? 

This exhibition was truly wonderful. It was really gratifying to have my works in a place for the public to see and discuss. I really wanted to show my love of folklore with this exhibition and do indeed plan to do more in the future. I am planning for at least one exhibit towards the end of 2024 but would also love to do more regular exhibits and talks providing I can find the space to do so!

A lot of your artwork is inspired by nature and folklore, how do they influence your creative process and practice?

Nature has always been a big inspiration for me,I was raised to be very respectful of it and be mindful of sharing my space with nature and all that encompasses. I have a particular love for wildlife which often inspire folktales and myths of their own so the two intertwine beautifully into my work. 

Quite often an idea for an illustration will be inspired by the nature I see around me, the seasons and the folklore/omens attached to those aspects. 

As a resident of Ivybridge, what do you think the town needs more of and why? 

I’ve lived in Ivybridge most of my life (a brief exodus to university and then working in Plymouth for a few years kept me away) and the town has grown so much over that time. I think we need more creative spark in the town for sure, more collaborations between artists, musicians, writers. We have so many here but they need to be celebrated so much more! We have a wonderful community here, bringing them together creatively would be a real dream! Creativity is a wonderful outlet for emotions, focus, and giving purpose. It would be wonderful to offer this to those most in need of it. 

Where can people learn more about your amazing work? 

I have a website that showcases more of my work and gives information about collaborating with me and requesting commissions!

I’m also very active on Instagram where I post art and studio goodies daily. That by far is the best way to get in touch and keep up with all my shenanigans! On Instagram and Facebook search for @wabisabicreationsuk and look for my little bird logo. I also have a shop where I sell prints and my original works on Etsy!

Thank you so much!