Creator Feature: Morgan Evans
- Melissa
- Feb 1
- 6 min read
When I first came across Morgan Evans’ work, I was surprised to find I already had a piece of it in my collection. It was after Christmas 2023, and I saw Morgan’s social media and was smitten with the unexpected style featuring Appalachian animals and pop culture figures like Iggy Pop and Kermit the Frog. I commissioned a portrait of me and my partner as a gift, and when he saw it, he retrieved a small painting we had of the flat woods monster. He recalls getting it at the Big Ideas Festival in Hazard in the fall of 2022. It was Morgan's.
As the first of an on-going series to feature artists and organizations I love, here is an interview with Morgan about her work.
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Can you start us off by talking a little about your artistic journey and how you got where you are?
MNE: I am a full-time folk artist. I was raised in Northeastern Kentucky and am inspired by the storytellers and folk art legends I heard so much about in my hometown in Lewis County. Growing up, my life was very much about survival. Coming from an abusive home, my childhood was far from normal. But, I won’t get into all of that. Long story short… I was traumatized. I took happiness anywhere I could find it, and I like to think my art journey started because I was healing my inner child.
I went to Morehead State University, but not for art. In fact, I have no training in art at all. I was taken out of public school at a very young age, so I have never even had a single art class. I earned a University Studies degree and am currently in graduate school through New Mexico State University’s Global Campus where I’m obtaining my MA in General Sociology. I was never interested in going to school for art because I like painting in my own free-thinking way. I hate restrictions and was scared school would make it not fun for me. However, I’ve always been interested in society and social change. I hope to one day combine my love of art and sociology into some kind of non-profit effort in the future.
What does that mean to you, being a “folk” artist?
MNE: Being a folk artist to me means I'm not bound to any formal education or style. I'm not in a box. I can paint freely without any expectations other than my own free-style. I also refer to myself as an “outsider artist” because everything I do is outside the box. They may have slightly different definitions to some people, but I feel like they are essentially the same thing to me. I like being able to just paint on anything and in any way. Being a bit eccentric anyway, I never know what I'm going to paint and with this title I feel like being eccentric is almost required. I knew I wanted to be a folk artist when I met Robert Morgan years ago at the Kentucky Folk Art Center. Looking at his exhibit and seeing everything glued together in such a beautiful way made me know right then and there that this is what I’m going to be! Plus he was a super nice person. He was there working on part of the exhibit, and he took the time to talk to us. He even gave us a signed copy of his book, which was really amazing!
What kind of art do you make? What inspires you?
MNE: I create acrylic paintings on canvas and found objects such as wood, thrift store frames, and whatever else I can find. One time the ceiling fan broke and I painted on the blade that nearly took my husband's head off! I try to be as sustainable as possible with what I use to paint and what I paint on, especially since I create so many pieces. I use acrylic paint because it is very bright and bold and easy to maneuver. I feel comfortable in that type of paint.
I’m inspired by people’s stories and how to translate them into paintings. I love being inspired by old photos, music, and a story about someone's life. I like to think all my critters have their own hardships and lives, and could give you good advice. I see them as the outsiders and the underdogs that are downtrodden. A lot of them play instruments and have bad habits like drinking and smoking. I see people as animals. Chances are if I have met you, I have already decided what animal you are in my brain. It’s a very strange habit of mine. Although I would like to experiment a little with more people portraits, outside of the musician portraits that I do.
I like painting critters, people, and cryptids with stories, even if they are stories that I have created. I think this comes from me also being a writer.
What artistic mediums would you like to try?
MNE: I would like to explore outside of my comfort zone and one day make huge papier-mache sculptures of possums and stuff. I have also experimented with collage and really enjoy it. I plan to make more this year! I love looking for old music sheets and painting my critters over the notes.
I first came across your work on Facebook. How do you incorporate technology and social media in your business?
MNE: When I first started selling my art online, about nine years ago, things were very different. I was on Etsy and Poshmark selling vintage clothing, and just put my art up for fun one day. And it worked. The first piece I sold was a very tall portrait of Abraham Lincoln with giant snakes coming out of his top hat. It went to Brooklyn and I just thought that was the coolest thing ever! I felt so completed and cool. I had sold a ton of vintage clothing to cool places but it never felt as good as someone wanting to buy something I had created with my own hands. I got addicted to that feeling. I’ve never wanted to keep my own art, so the only way I would create was if I intended to sell it or give it away. My business took off on Poshmark, then I made my own website and I’m still running it today.
What is the significance behind “spared splinter” as your business name?
MNE: The name “Spared Splinter” came from the concept of survival, someone being spared from a situation and somehow surviving. Splinter refers to someone who is a loner, an outsider, somebody that’s downtrodden. A spared outsider. I also like the idea of a splinter because it also refers to wood and I do a lot of paintings on found objects, like wooden planks. Most of what I create is for the outsider who has survived something, even if it's just life in general.
What’s the big picture goal for your art?
MNE: My biggest goal for my art now is to make people happy. As simple as that. Making someone happy is better than anything money can do. I’ll always strive to keep my art affordable but I will always be the person who is giving my art away as well. I don’t want that to change. Maybe my future career in sociology will provide me with a little more financial consistency so I can continue to be able to achieve my art goals. This all started as a healing journey for me and now my inner child is making people laugh, smile, squirm, and cringe all over the U.S. That's enough for me.
This isn’t the only reason I paint though. Honestly, I just can’t help it. I'm always creating. I feel odd when I haven't made something in a couple of days. It’s just in there, and I have to do it. I don’t think I could ever stop. I consider art as a vital part of the human condition; it's in everything and everybody. I see people and animals as walking works of art. I can be inspired by anything. Being an artist right now, in this modern world, means appreciating life.
How does it work if someone wants a commission from you?
MNE: To purchase a commission from me is super easy. Go to my contact page on my website sparedsplinter.com, or just email me at sparedsplinter@gmail.com and say, “Hey, I'm interested in a commission.” There’s a consultation by email or phone and I'll send my price chart over! I will make the listing on my website and, depending on the size and whatever else is going on, I’ll usually have it done in about two weeks!
Email: sparedsplinter@gmail.com
My website is sparedsplinter.com
My Instagram is @sparedsplinter
My poshmark page https://poshmark.com/closet/sparedsplinters
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