Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessy-Elena Morales.
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 loved colors, make-up, paints and sparkles since I was little. I often wondered why many of my teachers hardly put any art in the classrooms, it was mainly just academics with little to no attention on inspiration.
As I grew up, I found myself with a mild learning disability, which caused me to struggle in school academically. However, I persisted and went on to study child development and art and get my Master’s degree. I began a career working with young children and elementary school-aged kids. In doing so, I saw that many schools did cookie-cutter art projects, and many times I saw how children couldn’t explore that much in those “creative” projects.
I am more interested in the process which is creative art than the finished product. In my career with children, I saw how happy they are when we give them the materials and support to let them create. They want to do things their way, in their own style, which is so important for development and which is central to the way I teach art.
I started The Magical Atelier because I wanted to reach others with art because art had helped me so much to express myself and create. Children and people need that. They need to know there is a space to create and explore and use their imagination. No, all the art doesn’t have to look the same… and yes sometimes they make grass pink or any other color… It’s pure joy when kids and adults can just create in their own unique style to find their own form of self-expression. Art can help us pull through hard situations, like the pandemic, and we need it that much more when times are tough. I give kids and adults sparkles and the freedom to create and more sparkles; they love it! 💖
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, I did have many struggles especially with school and learn when I was younger. It went unnoticed by seemingly everyone that I had a mild learning disability because I’ve always been quite talkative and sociable, etc… Later, I spent years in a job where I wasn’t given any opportunity to move up, which was challenging, but even so I always continued doing some form of art which gave me joy and a creative outlet – I was doing makeup, face painting, painting with kids, I am also a dancer and I always continued dancing and enjoying music. As I continued doing these things, I started to realize how deeply I love art and how I am undeniably an artist. Later I studied and got my Master’s Degree in childhood development, but even before that, through my work with children, I observed what works for them, what they like & need creatively. I started doing community art at schools and local farmers markets in Santa Monica to bring my work to more kids than just the ones I was working with at school and people began to notice.
I also had struggles with some of the schools where I was teaching — they thought my art was too messy & were concerned about some drips of paint on the ground etc.… I had to explain how children need opportunities to do this, to creatively explore, and even when the other school staff didn’t quite understand I just continued doing what I know and believe the children need. Children, parents, and my community co-workers and family started to take notice. Many of my students from back in the day are now in college! Even now, when I bump into some of them, still tell me how it was so fun that I let them do their art and how much they loved the face painting I did for them. Parents see me and tell me they remember how much their kids loved the art classes they took with me.
My community has seen and acknowledged my work with creative art and children and helped me get an art studio in Santa Monica below market rate. Also, I appreciate the encouragement and support of my sister Lorena and my family. Even though I have experienced challenges, I have the support of family, friends and my community and my passion for art and the work I do.
I’m very thankful for the community that I have worked in for the past 25 years here in Santa Monica, and I’m honored that I have been able to make a difference in the creative development of so many young children. I found my passion doing art with children and sharing it with families and community, and in doing art as a community. There’s a quote painted on the wall at The Magical Atelier that says “Let the beauty you love be what you do.” This is truly what I believe, and when children and families come through our studio, they can read it and take that inspiring message with them. Also, we teach that you should do art in your own way… it doesn’t have to look like someone else’s art. Everyone has a gift and it’s just about discovering what that gift is… Art helps us to discover that. Art helped me discover that for myself. Now I’m blessed enough to share that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an artist, I believe that art is a space of imagination, exploration, and self-discovery. I firmly believe in the right of the artist to experience and explore through their work, and I view the children that I work with as artists. With our studio, we place the importance on allowing children to use their creativity and focus on how the process is the primary importance, rather than the final product.
I am known for allowing children to create and use their imagination. They are very capable, and this is the foundational practice of our studio to approach art-making this way with everyone who comes to create with us. I am a teacher, and I’ve worked with children for the past 25 years, in addition to holding a Master in Psychology, so I understand the stages and developmental levels of childhood. It’s intuitive for me to tailor the guidance and project to the students. I’m also known for sparkles and colorful artwork that catch your eye and make the viewer feel inspired and happy.
Over the 25 years of working with children, some of my students are now in college. When I have seen them, they tell me I remember how we made art together, they got to explore and enjoy themselves, and their families have told me how grateful they are for that. Seeing them grow up and have those memories, and keep their connection to art-making, is what I’m most proud of.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned that it’s crucial for children’s healthy psychological development to art in their own way. They are individuals, and it’s so important to let that be reflected in what they make and not impose that their art should to look like someone else’s. Children live in the moment, they are so present, and it’s such a joy and an honor to be around that. I have learned my passion is being a teacher of children’s artists, and it gives me so much happiness to empower them to explore and create.
Pricing:
- 1 Hour Classes $25/hr
- Art Activities for Parties $155/hr
- Face Painting for Parties $80/hr
- We also offer Adult Paint & Sip (21+)
- We host events at our studio, or travel to customer’s location
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themagicalatelier.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themagicalatelier/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ateliermagical
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-magical-atelier-santa-monica
Image Credits
All photos have been approved by parents & photographers for use on our website and promotional uses. All photos by Jessy-Elena Morales, except for the face painting photo, which was taken by Elizabeth Noble.
