Meet the Artist

We caught up with K'era Morgan, the artist behind the namesake print of our FW2425 Collection, Flow State. K'era's multimedia approach to creativity draws from compositions within the natural environment, whether its underwater textures, cellular structures, or the energetic forces of waves, currents and wind. We were thrilled to chat with her about current creative practices, life in Los Angeles, and upcoming work!

Tell us about yourself: Who are you, where do you live, and what do you like to do in your free time?

I’m an artist, mother, and peace seeker as a true blue Libra (sun and moon!). I’m a California native having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area although now I reside in Los Angeles after several long stints in Spain where I met my life partner, NYC and Chicago. Free time? I don’t have much of that as a mom or creative entrepreneur but I do enjoy spending time in nature. That combined with something fitness oriented is a perfect combo for me— hiking, surfing, etc. I also enjoy partaking in various arts and culture activities and Los Angeles has a lot to offer on that front - gallery openings, museum exhibitions, live band performances, film screenings... Spending time with family and friends is high on my list too— I enjoy hosting a good dinner party but lounging on the sofa reading a short story in the New Yorker or taking a nap will do just fine. I should also add, I’m a big sports fan. We watch a fair amount of Tennis, football (aka soccer) and Formula 1 which is the most watched sporting event in our home. 

What about this collaboration with Skida excites you? 

Outdoor gear printed with a design from one of my own paintings?! This is a dream for someone like me who loves being outdoors and spends as much time as possible immersed in nature whether that’s hiking, surfing, running, camping, etc. It’s where I can disconnect with all the junk and noise of everyday life and reconnect with myself. Nature is where I find inspiration for my work as well. I think I’m going to have a meta moment, wearing this print on my next hike!

What were some of your inspirations for this print design? 

This print is derived from my painting which is titled: Don’t Mess Ahnemuhnee, is inspired by the colors and textures of those found under the sea. This piece speaks to the beauty but also the fierceness of sea anemone in particular which I equate to the spirit of the human female species. Although beautiful to look at swaying and going with the flow of ocean currents, sea anemones are fearsome fighters. My hope is that this piece draws in and mesmerizes the viewer with the layers of color and marks reminiscent of water currents, bubbles and layers of swaying tentacles or other sea creatures hiding amongst a swarm of anemones.

Can you share one piece of advice for others looking to develop their own creativity? 

Make it a habit. Time is precious and oftentimes things that bring us joy are often put aside for more “serious” endeavors but creativity is also an essential part of your wellbeing and even executing more analytical tasks. When you find a creative pastime make sure you carve out a bit of time to pursue it regularly. There are days or periods of time when I can’t spend hours in the studio however, I do make a point to take a few minutes daily to draw and write in my journal. For a while, I was really into flower arranging and I learned that to make your cut flowers last longer, you have to care for them daily (refresh the water, cut the bottom of the stems, etc.) which requires you to rearrange the bouquet.

Your artwork consists of mixed media paintings, hand-made textile design, and more. How does each medium contribute to your artistic expression?

My creative practice is multi-faceted which I find common among artists… We often are inspired by or find the need to express our ideas in multiple mediums. For a while I’ve had this deep seeded desire to explore working 3 dimensionally utilizing different sculptural materials like wood and metals. This all stems from ideas that have been swirling in my head and filling the pages of sketchbooks that I’ve envisioned taking shape as 3D forms. But everything builds off of one another…My textiles, for instance, are derived from my paintings. And, I would go on to say, my throw blankets, for example, can be folded or rolled, etc. and can take up space like a 3-dimensional object. My paintings can fill a space as well but in a different way. I believe it’s a natural progression in my own practice to feel out different ways to communicate my ideas and how they take up space/fill a space. 

What projects or themes are you currently exploring, and what can we expect to see from you in the future? Are there any upcoming exhibitions or collaborations that you're excited about?

The themes I’m exploring remain the same although I’ve felt some sort of crystallization has taken place as far as my focus. My process has evolved over the last year too, therefore the work I’ve produced has as well. I have my first big time solo show coming up in the fall, which I’m truly excited about not only because of the momentous feat it’s been to create a large cohesive body of work but it will also showcase for the first time this shift in my process and the evolution of my painting. It’s also a little nerve racking because unlike a group show, the spotlight is solely on me! The announcement of the partnership with Skida is something I’ve been looking forward to as well as the upcoming launch of a rug collection I’ve done in collaboration with a well-known rug manufacturer. I can’t share with whom just yet but soon.

There are a few other creative collabs that have been in the works for quite some time with other artists that I hope will finally materialize like a sculptural lighting project. This past Spring I got a crash course in metalsmithing as I was the Designer in Residence for the Jewelry Design Dept at Long Beach City College. I fell in love with the material and I got a real taste for working sculpturally/3-dimensionally for the first time. With the little knowledge and experience that I acquired I’m now eager to continue pursuing some of the initial ideas I executed which could mean more sculptural lighting options like candle sconces and tabletop candelabras. And who knows, maybe even a k-apostrophe one-of-a-kind jewelry/wearable art collection.