CHS Bookkeeper Ms. Morgan’s creative upbringing inspired her to take up new, artistic hobbies in her free time. Morgan grew up upholstering furniture and making crafts with her mother, which inspired her love for the arts. Now though, she enjoys creating a wide variety of artwork including: paintings, sculptures, and texture pieces.

According to Morgan, expressing her creativity and giving away her pieces is what she loves most about the rewarding activity.

Q: What is your job here at CHS?

A: “I am the bookkeeper here; I process orders and handle all the accounts.”

Q: How long have you worked at this school?

A: “This is my seventh year at CHS and my fourth year as a bookkeeper.”

Q: What did you do before you came to this school?

A: “I was a teacher and administrator at a private school for fourteen years.”

Q: How did you get into painting and crafting?

A: “My mom used to upholster furniture and make crafts so I learned from her as a child. I would upholster furniture with her and we would make different crafts like wreaths made of pinecones and dried flower artwork. In my thirties, when my kids were little and we lived in Vermont, I started making various crafts and Christmas ornaments to sell at craft fairs. I have always enjoyed making Christmas ornaments. Seven months ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to paint, so I found online acrylic painting classes to take and started from there.”

Q: What types of art do you make?

A: “Mostly abstracts, texture art, 3D art, and plaster art.”

Q: What kinds of materials do you use?

A: “I use acrylics and watercolors for painting. I make my own texture paste using canvas and metal screening to create forms then use plaster and acrylic. I also use Aluminum foil, textured cloth, pallet knives, leaves, gold and copper leaf, and even cake decorating tips. The use of textured materials gives the art a whole different perspective and depth.”

Q: What inspires your work?

A: “I have always had a love for art. I often visit art museums like the Chrysler and go to art shows. I take inspiration from and learn from other artists.”

Q: What is your favorite part about making artwork?

A: “I’ve always been interested in art and I like giving it away to other people. It’s relaxing and allows me to use my creative brain rather than just crunching numbers. I’m learning to make more detailed pieces like oceanscapes and beachscapes which I find quite challenging. With abstract art, I can put the paint down and manipulate it the way I want to create something completely different.”