Today we’d like to introduce you to Alea Morren.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always been drawn to the visual arts from a very young age. I received my first set of oil paints at age ten, and grew up watching & adoring Bob Ross. Always an adventurer willing to try it all, I studied ballet, played all the school sports, and served on the student council and newspaper in my small high school.
From 18-19 I had the privilege of doing a 2 year intensive art program before enrolling in the Interdisciplinary Fine Arts program at Concordia University in Montreal. My studio work was solid, but I felt I needed more grounding in history and culture and really get a better understanding of the world in order to make a comment on it as an artist. My curiosity about the relationship between human beings and the environment eventually led me to shift to a B.A in Human Geography, and later to complete a Master’s degree in Public Policy. These academic experiences taught me to recognize frameworks and patterns, and to reflect more deeply on the structures that shape our lives. In my early twenties, I became a member of the Baha’i Faith, which has profoundly influenced both my worldview and my artistic practice.
It was always my dream to be a professional artist, but having a family was also a priority. I adore children and was a nanny through my teen years. I am a mother of three, and one of my children is severely disabled, due to FOXG1, a complex neurological condition. My parenting experience has been very unique and our lives are a bit out of the box. Parenting has shaped me in countless ways, deepening my empathy and sense of purpose. At the same time, I have come to understand how essential it is to express my own ideas, exercise agency, and have a strong community.
In 2021, amid the pandemic, my husband, an epidemiologist, got hired at Emory and we moved here. I felt it was a good time to set us up in a way that could also support my art practice. Living in Lynwood Park has been a dream realized. The spirit of connection and mutual support among neighbors is truly special. My art studio has grown into a vibrant community hub. There is a weekly art lab for children, and women’s art-and-coffee gatherings. There are also regular classes for the wider community, with the goal of helping people reconnect with their creativity, embrace play, and build meaningful relationships. When I am not hosting others in the studio, I use it to create my own artworks; hand painted ceramics, paintings, and 3D or mixed media artworks, out of moss, resin, or fabric. I’m continually experimenting with new materials and ideas. My artwork is available for sale through my website, and I share my creative process on social media.
I cherish the dynamic nature of my practice. Creating alongside others allows us to learn, grow, and discover how we can support one another in countless ways. Providing semi-structured, skill-building experiences for others helps them develop confidence, perspective, and a stronger sense of themselves all the while meeting others.
To be human is to be creative and nurturing that part of ourselves is so important. I’m grateful to have space to do this for myself and invite you to join me anytime!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Something I always think about is from Khalil Gibran, when he says, “Pain is the breaking of the shell that surrounds your understanding.”
The idea that suffering and pain is the training ground for growth is fundamental to my philosophy. It has also been my own lived experience.
Having a family and being a mother was a major part of my vision for my life. After having my first daughter, every day was like Christmas, for about a year! When she was 1.5, I recall saying to my husband, “I think I need more challenge. Perhaps I’ll return to work, or we can have another baby.” The universe is always listening, so be careful what you ask for! Our second child was born with FOXG1, a condition that due to a gene mutation, means lifelong disability and dependence. Screaming, seizures, fear, and sleep deprivation became my world and the ground beneath our feet shifted. The dreams I had for my children and my life were drastically altered.
But again, these tests have a purpose, if you can look deeply and find the wisdom. I have been to the deepest parts of myself and I have come back, alive. Anyone who has been through something like this will know what I mean. And when you come back from that, there is nothing you cannot do because you have found inner strength and resilience is the prize. So many of my artworks come from this truth. So yes, to answer this question, the road has not been smooth and it has been so hard. But I am grateful because the fire burns everything away and leaves the gold.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I have a diverse background in lots of different art forms, in 2021 I began exploring alcohol ink painting. I really love this art form and I am becoming known for it. My approach to art classes is also novel, in that I am not prescriptive or rigid, but rather aim to facilitate and lightly guide participants, helping them to build confidence and to trust themselves. So my instructional style is unique. I also think my class offerings are fun and constantly novel, based on what people want to try (or that I want to try). I am very proud that Adanel Studio has become known as a supportive creative space that is accessible to all ages, abilities and skill levels where community & connection get stronger. Girl Scouts meet here for art badges, friends with Down syndrome have art parties here. Children have creative art labs and grow their friendships and confidence. This is the power of art to heal and build.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am so grateful to have be in this community- both Brookhaven and Atlanta in general. There are so many open hearts and generous spirits here. I am blessed by everyone who comes to nurture and engage with their own creativity. I am always seeking to evolve and am always welcoming new ideas for new art projects and collaborations, as I am able. My role as an artist is not to aim for perfection, but to use the arts to serve the world and whenever possible to be visionary. I would love to hear from you about your own creative process, your ideas, because we all grow from this sharing. Feel free to reach out via my website, or social media channels.
Pricing:
- Hand-painted ceramics- $20-120
- Paintings -$320-2500
- Prints $40-485
- Resin Jewelry- $20-40
- Art Classes- $20-$60 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adanelstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adanelstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adanelstudio/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alea-m-17b19215/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/adanelstudio/
Image Credits
Alea Morren, Adanel Studio
