{"Id":638,"Name":"Morgan Weistling","Biography":"Morgan studied art at an early age with his father, a former art student. His parents met in art school and started a family. The younger of three children, Morgan began imitating his father\u0027s drawings every night as he sat on his lap. That led to his studying the art books his father had aquired years earlier. Authors such a Andrew Loomis, Vanderpole, and Bridgeman. The most important books, though, were the volume set from the Famous Artist School.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAt the age of 12, Weistling was determined to go through the entire course on his own since the school was no longer in existance. By the age of 15, his study of anatomy, drawing, and painting needed a mentor\u0027s direction.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThat direction came through a retired illustrator named Fred Fixler. Fred\u0027s school, then called the Brandes Art Institute, was dedicated to one thing: learning how to draw from life. \u0022The minute I saw his life drawings I knew this was the guy to study with, there was no doubt,\u0022 says Morgan. Working part-time as a janitor for the school to pay his tuition, Weistling studied there for 3 years.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhile still a student and working at an art store, one day a prominent illustrator came in for supplies. Weistling showed him his student work. The next day he found himself employed at one of the top movie poster agencies in Hollywood. \u0022At that time, all I wanted to be was an illustrator,\u0022 Weistling says, \u0022but that was amazingly fast.\u0022 For the next 14 years he illustrated for every movie studio in Hollywood as well as many other fields of illustration.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAfter being art-directed for years, Morgan needed to paint something for himself. He took time out to produce a painting of two children and brought it to Scottsdale Arizona on the advice of long time friend, Julio Pro . Julio, an artist and collector, suggested Morgan approach the top galleries and , if need be , work his way down.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe first gallery he walked into signed him on the spot, Trailside Galleries. Co-owner Maryvonne Leshe was quick to spot new talent. She was soon proven right. \u0022He would send his paintings to us un-framed and before we could get them hung, they would be sold,\u0022 quips Maryvonne. Soon a \u0022draw\u0022 system for Weistling\u0027s paintings became necessary. His first one-man show had 26 paintings and all were sold opening night. The following year, at his second one-man show they sold out on opening night, as well.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWeistling participates in both the Prix de West Invitational and Masters of the American West Exhibits. He won the Patron\u0027s Choice Award in the Masters show in 2000. Recently in 2001, he won the Prix de West Award as well as the Nona Jean Hulsey Buyer\u0027s Choice Award for his painting, \u003Cem\u003EThe Dance\u003C/em\u003E.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMorgan and his wife, JoAnn, have been married 11 years and also met in art school. JoAnn still paints and will soon unveil her talents to the world. Their 6 year old daughter, Brittany, is often a model in Weistling\u0027 paintings.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E(This biography was quoted with the permission of \u003Ca href=\u0022http://www.morganweistling.com/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMorgan Weistling\u003C/a\u003E.)\u003Cp\u003E","Awards":null,"HasAlbums":false,"HasPortraits":true,"HasRelationships":false,"HasArticles":false,"HasDepictedPlaces":false,"HasLetters":false,"HasLibraryItems":false,"HasProducts":false,"HasSignatures":false,"HasVideos":false,"HasMapLocations":false,"TotalArtworks":35}