Meet Emily Morgan | Owner/Founder of Lovely But Dead, Columbus Collage Collective, Midwest Merchant Project

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I am currently managing three independent businesses and projects: Lovely But Dead, the Columbus Collage Collective, and the Midwest Merchant Project.
Lovely But Dead is solely focused on showcasing and selling my collage art via my website, social media, and in-person markets. However, the Columbus Collage Collective and the Midwest Merchant Project are ways in which I can give back.
I started the Columbus Collage Collective in August of 2023 with Douglas Cuckler (aka Wonder Doug) as a way to bring together collage enthusiasts of all backgrounds and experience levels on a regular basis. We provide all materials (glue, scissors, craft knives, magazines, etc.) to participants to ensure that everyone has what they need to create their masterpieces.
The Midwest Merchant Project is a community data project that I started early in 2024. The project aims to collect data from small business merchants in and around Central Ohio and analyze it to provide a view of the unique commercial characteristics of each neighborhood. This service is free to use, and all results are published to a dashboard on my website.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been fascinated by plants and mushrooms and the way they seem to be slowly fighting to reclaim their spaces. Sometimes, that reclamation can be subtle, like a dandelion growing up through the cracks in a parking lot, and sometimes it can be brutal, like infection or decomposition.
This fascination fuels my collage art. I heavily incorporate hand-cut botanical illustrations and modern photography to blend these two worlds, showcasing lush plant life reclaiming often stark and serious photographs – sometimes beautifully, sometimes brutally.
Additionally, I strive to find photography that represents everyone. Much of the antique and vintage imagery used in collage features a very narrow cross-section of people. I aim to depict everyone, from all walks of life, being swallowed up by lush florals and conflicting elements.
I reside in Clintonville with my partner Alex, and work quietly in my home studio surrounded by bits of paper and cats. I am constantly cutting out leaves and flowers and storing them in small boxes. When I am ready to create, I let the creative process take hold and assemble as much as I can all at once. Typically, I can complete a piece in one day, but larger works may take two to three.

I am excited about a lot of things! My first solo exhibition at Granville Center for the Arts is coming up in July, we are moving the Columbus Collage Collective to a new, larger space at Wild Goose Creative in Franklinton, and I will be showcasing my work at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington in 2025. I am also excited to kick off the market season and to be participating in some of the best art festivals and markets in the city (Worthington Arts Festival, Labor Day Arts Festival, Hops on High).

I started working at markets with my aunt Mary Beth when I was in high school – she bought and sold antique and unique clothes, jewelry, and other items. I distinctly remember helping her at Comfest for a few years and this solidified my love for being a merchant. When I started creating my own art, I knew I couldn’t hold onto it all, so I started my own booth with everything I learned from her. She passed away a few years ago and I think about her every time I’m out meeting people and selling at markets.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My absolute favorite place in Columbus is Franklin Park Conservatory. I find a lot of joy and inspiration here and we have the distinct pleasure of being able to hold Collage Parties here throughout the year. The folks that work and volunteer there are always so kind and helpful and spaces like this are so important to our growing city.

My other favorite local haunts include:
Museum: Columbus Museum of Art
Local Gem: Wild Cat Gift and Party
Restaurant: Agni
Music Venue: Newport and Dicks Den
Coffee Shop: Cup O Joe
Park: Park of Roses and Goodale Park
View: Stories On High
Pizza: Harvest Pizza
Antique Store: Eclectiques Antique Mall
Day Trip: Columbus Zoo

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
For my partner Alex. In 14 years, we have seen the best and the worst of each other and continue to be madly in love. Without his love and support, none of this would be possible.
For Doug, for helping me be brave, for making art with me, and for letting me text you new work after I finish it late at night.
For Jill and Kelly, for being my best friends and keeping me grounded.
For my family, for supporting me every step of the way.

Website: https://www.lovelybutdead.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovely_but_dead

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovelyButDeadArt

Image Credits
The photo of myself and two other gentlemen was taken at the Granville Center for the Arts, credited to Olivia Boucher ([email protected])

All other photos are property of Lovely But Dead