Randy Morgan: Burning With A Passion for the Arts

Home and business owners and organizations looking to make a bold, creative statement turn to Randy Morgan’s sculpture drawn from nature. The depth of detailing Randy incorporates in his art is astounding. He is an award-winning bronze sculpture artist who specializes in handcrafted bronze doors, architectural elements, and public art pieces, and his works are inspired by his love for nature, history, and unique art mediums.

A bronzed wall depicting the history and natural beauty of the Sacramento River region is one of the commissions he has received. He created the “The Waterman’s Wall,” a bronzed mural depicting local coastal heroes enjoying “a day in the life” for the City of Laguna Beach, California; and, a colorful mural celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage for the City of Upland, California. Other clients commission him to design and create custom doors and tiles.

Meet Randy Morgan

After reading my interview with Randy, you will understand why art enthusiasts fall madly in love with his work. If his sculptures strike a chord with you, feel free to comment and share this interview.

Interview

How does sculpture enhance our landscape and interact with nature?

Sculpture is innately drawn from the shapes and images of nature. Have you ever stared at a pile of rocks until they became dancing gnomes or clouds? Plus the patinas (colors) that are used in sculpture are basically stains and all derivatives of earth tones and more natural colors than paint.

What’s the number one reason you chose sculpture as your medium?

As far back as I can remember, I have burned with a passion for the arts. My talents were first recognized at five-years-old by my teacher when she entered my “Painting of a Horse” at the LA County Fair where it won 1st place and a blue ribbon. As a child, my father would bring home large rolls of paper from his print shop and quickly find me immersed in a drawing project. I would spend hour upon hour drawing landscapes and portraits of my sports heroes, cowboys, and Indians.

Destiny eventually paired me with Carl Abel, a world-renowned wood carver in Laguna Beach, California. Abel took an interest in my artistic sense and taught me the ancient art. In 1975, I took a life-changing trip to Mexico where I studied art and was drawn to the works of Diego Rivera and Jorge Orosco. Over the next several years, I combined Abel’s techniques with my own evolving artistic sense and a newfound love for bronze casting. I soon found his works gracing residential, commercial and public arenas throughout the world. Although very satisfied with drawing and painting, when I found sculpture I was thrilled to take my drawing to the next level. Being a child I loved building things and getting dirty. I have been called one of the world’s premiere bas-relief sculptors. The definition of bas-relief is drawing in sculpture so it was just a natural progression for me from drawing and painting.

What percentage of your sculpture is created with nature in mind?

 All of it. Art to me is a mimicking of our universe and the natural world. I create my art with the viewer in mind and trying to evoke some sort of feeling or emotional response.

What are a few of your upcoming projects and what are you working on now?

I am concentrating now on my “Road Map of Art Walls” which are a series of large bas-relief murals that tell a historical story in the communities in which they are placed. Whether it’s icons, the characters, the flora and fauna, the historical landmarks and the stories therein. We round out the story of the making of the art through the magic of film making. You can check these out on my web page at www.randymorganart.com I am currently working on a public art monument in Laguna Beach, California, a Motown industrialization mural in Detroit, Michigan, early next year a wall mural in San Diego, California and we are always evaluating future sites with my fantastic team at Randy Morgan Art.

What motivates you to create on days when you don’t feel particularly creative?

Some days you just have to chop wood (ha ha!) Seriously I love making art. It’s what I do and what I love to do. These days I try to balance my life with my spirituality, my art, and a lot of laughter and the quest for joy and peace.

How does art fit into your life?

Without sounding too cliche, art is my life. Art to me is hard work, planning and a leaving little bit of room at the end of the process for magic.

What’s your all-time favorite project? 

The next one! That’s a tough question it’s like choosing between your children. If I had to just pick one it would have to be the Art Hotel project in Laguna Beach, CA for my friend Gail Duncan at her hotel. This 70 by 10 foot mural around the pool is pure Laguna Beach. I would like to add that we as artists need art patrons. Without art, patrons to share our vision with there would be no Sistine Chapel. I could not have created a single mural on my “Roadmap of Walls” without the support of art patrons. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with some really extraordinary art patrons without whom my “Roadmap of Art Walls would not be possible.

Featured Artists

If you’d like to be featured on joanmatsuitravelwriter.com or chigirie.com, we highlight artists who practice a variety of mediums at our convenience as time allows according to our editorial calendar. Interviews will be conducted by email unless otherwise determined. Send an email with a sample image (malware free) of your work and we will reply if we are interested.

Make art a part of your life. Learn something new. Amazon.com offers a wide selection of art supplies that will motivate you to create. Need more inspiration, visit chigirie.com, my online art gallery and learning center.