Morgan Lindsay Nelson
Designer / Visual Artist / Writer / Founder of Random Lately & About The Soufflé
Portland, OR
www.morganlindsaynelson.com
instagram @morganlindsaynelson
youtube
substack
Q What do you do?
“I’m a multidisciplinary creative based in Portland, Oregon. Specifically: I focus on design, visual art, and writing. I’m obsessed with the weird, wonderful, and often chaotic process of creativity. My work delves into the nuanced experiences of womanhood. I create for those who appreciate the juxtaposition of things that shouldn’t go together but somehow do, along with bittersweet and imperfect facets of life. ”
I always aim to foster a sense of connection and understanding, especially through my Substack, About The Soufflé, where I turn oddly specific topics into creative inspo. (Yes, I can connect Sylvanian Families and nuns to your current creative block. Trust me.)
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
A slashie all my life, my journey began as a Y2K-era fangirl who found solace in her imagination. This thirst for the unreal led me to explore various creative outlets, from screenwriting and illustration to fashion and editorial work. Over time, I honed my skills through a lot of overthinking, YouTube and Google deep dives, and some formal training via mentorship with artists and designers.
Each step led me to find my common thread: I like making people feel something—and I love helping others do the same. Authentic storytelling and artistic expression is my love language.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Incorporating inspirations outside of typical milieus lends the most unique qualities to art. For me, this is reality TV. Bravo produces some of the best performance art out there. And it’s this special love of their brand of camp meets luxury that my work is filtered through. If it’s not extra or unexpected, I’m not interested. I also infuse a sense of comedy in my art, anchoring it through my lens of vulnerability and authenticity.
Q What are you working on right now?
Currently, I design Random Lately, my t-shirt line, sell my art as glicée prints, am in pre-production on an animated web series, and run About The Soufflé. Overall, enjoying the “what even is this?” highs and lows of making the things I most want to see in the world.
Q What’s your style?
Irreverently “This probably shouldn’t work, but it does” is my vibe. I’m endlessly inspired by pop culture and nostalgic zeitgeists and thrive on finding new ways to show and say things. Stylist Allison Bornstein has a “Three Word Method” to define one’s wardrobe style. I use it to define myself beyond the closet. 1. Whimsical. 2. Mismatched. 3. Refined. I like things that look like mistakes, when horror feels cozy, luxury feels rumpled, and buttoned-up gets undone.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Visual storytelling is my favorite form of creating right now. I can’t quit it as there’s something magical about making characters or personas come alive and realizing, "Oh wait, I have total control over their choices." Whether a single image or a deep dive, exploring psyches and intricate plots is a passion of mine.
Videography has also been tempting me lately. One irony I’ve found in the screenwriting world is that few people want to take the time to read. They wish to connect with the material more quickly. So I’ve taken it as a challenge to look beyond the page and towards video. To me, it’s a powerful “first taste” to stoke the senses and capture attention, in all creative applications.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The threat of AI to creatives, and humanity in general, keeps me awake at night. (Seeing Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning did not help this.) As an artist, it’s frustrating to navigate whether to adapt to or refute the technology altogether, especially when it can be “trained” off my material (aka hard work).
Also, trying to market my art in a way that doesn’t feel "pick-me, pick-me."
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’m feeling the private chef/private caterer vibes. If I could have someone not just remind me to eat lunch but already have it prepared for me…that’d be an absolute dream!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
You don’t have to pick one lane, follow your bliss and you’ll be better for it. Imperfections are beautiful. You’re not a mess, you just have ADHD.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Recently, I’ve loved learning more about the science of creativity from Oevra and I’d like to continue that personal journey. Finally understanding why my best ideas hit right before bed when I’m too tired to write them down is a real boon.
I’m also curious to better understand how neurodivergence and anxiety influence creative processes.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Throw a creative brief my way and I’m in! I’m seeking projects where I can flex my illustration and design skills. Whether one-off editorial work, a contract gig, or something more lasting, I’m excited to bring my vibes to your project!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client/collaborator vibes are out-of-the-box thinkers who aren’t afraid to be playful. A job where I get to be my unfiltered creative self is everything.
Q: What is your rate?
My custom artwork rates typically start at $6/sq in. Lettering, simple illustrations, and designs are project-based.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Send an email to morgan@morganlindsaynelson.com with all the deets to break the ice (i.e. a brief overview of the project, scope, budget, and any relevant timelines, optional: your thoughts on the latest Real Housewives) and I’ll get back to you with the next steps.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
I’m so impressed by my friend Annie Maguire’s copywriting skills. She can break down a website and effortlessly tweak it into something incredible. Her specialty is cutting through the noise of the digital world to communicate the important stuff with clarity and integrity. Get a glimpse for yourself.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Meditation, rest, and romanticizing mundane moments.
This member profile was originally published in February 2025.