Lorin Morgan-Richards

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Lorin Morgan-Richards
Lorin Morgan-Richards author and illustrator.jpg
Born (1975-02-16) 16 February 1975 (age 46)
Beebetown, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationAuthor
Poet
Cartoonist
Playwright
Composer
Publisher
GenreYoung adult fiction, Weird West, Gothic Western, Gothic fiction, Western, short stories, humor, surrealism, literary nonsense, Supernatural fiction
Notable worksThe Goodbye Family, Me’ma and the Great Mountain, A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels, Simon Snootle and Other Small Stories, Imperfectualism
SpouseValerie Stoneking
Children1
Signature
Website
lorinrichards.com

Lorin Morgan-Richards (born 16 February 1975) is an American author, illustrator,[1] and songwriter,[2][3][4] primarily known for his young adult fiction and Weird West series The Goodbye Family.[5]

In the past, Richards served as the publisher of Celtic Family Magazine,[6] and was the founder of the Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival,[7][8][9][10] one of the largest Welsh festivals of its kind in the United States.

Morgan-Richards was born in Beebetown, Ohio, and is of Swiss (Amish) and Welsh descent.

Early years[]

Richards was raised in an old converted one-room schoolhouse in Beebetown, Ohio, that had a well for water. His mother (a student of fine art) taught him the basics of drawing and music composition on the family pump organ. Richards also credited his imagination on the plentiful books his family owned, creative isolation, and the sheer number of animals they took care of, many of which he incorporated into his early drawings and writings.[11]

Richards interest in Native American and American Western history began in childhood. "I remember my first book as a child was The Indians Knew by Tillie S. Pine, an early reader from 1965 explaining the cultural ways and historical resourcefulness of Native Americans and how they are applied in the sciences today."[12]

When Richards entered second grade, he was diagnosed with a form of dyslexia that required tutoring through the ninth grade. By his early teens, he was reading and became inspired by Edward Lear, L. Frank Baum, Roald Dahl, and Lewis Carroll; helping him overcome his reading disability.[13]

Theater[]

Still photo from NYC Premiere of An Occurrence Remembered directed by Lorin Morgan-Richards, 2001

Between 1993-2003, Richards received an AA Degree in Liberal Arts at Cuyahoga Community College and credited his Anthropology Professor Mark Lewine as a mentor. During this time, Richards also achieved minor success in producing music projects containing modern dance and theater, and befriended and collaborated with artist Textbeak. "I first attended Tri-C Western campus where my focus was on Liberal Arts. At the time, I kept a journal of random thoughts, doodles, and lyrics and used the filter of music as my art. So, the bulk of my classes were in this field of study. I made connections with other artists who shared similar passions, and we were all eager to form various projects of expression. I moved to Lakewood to be closer to the performance spaces and switched to Tri-C Metro where I was awakened out of my shell by an Anthropology teacher named Dr. Mark Lewine."[14] In 1999, Richards solo album ENKI and subsequent live production were based on Zecharia Sitchin's book The Twelfth Planet.[15][16][17] The show premiered in Cleveland, Ohio under the choreography of Michael Medcalf. Native American musical act Shouting Mountain opened the evening. In 2001, Richards followed the success of ENKI with the production of An Occurrence Remembered, influenced by the metaphysical war writings of Ambrose Bierce. The performance premiered in New York City.[18][19] Richards reflects on the performance: "Rehearsals were underway when 9-11 happened and I recall we continued only for our own therapy of the situation, knowing theater-goers were not going out. It was a tremendous performance, but it financially broke me."[20]

Richards calls his synth music "Dark Electronic Storytelling" as it is conceptually based on written works and is meant for dramatic performance.[21]

Richards announced on social media in June 2018 that he was re-releasing previous albums and upcoming tracks under the new moniker Elder Moon.[22]

Writing career[]

In 2002, Richards moved to Los Angeles to start over where he refocused his artistic direction into writing and illustrating, which he said: "did not need the expenses of my past but only a pen and paper."[23] While his novel Me’ma and the Great Mountain (2012) began drafts as early as 2002, it was Simon Snootle and Other Small Stories that became his first book release in 2009.[24][25]

The following year Richards delivered four new releases including his second book of short stories in A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels.

Richards conceptualized most of The Goodbye Family characters in 2009 during a trip to the UK and France with his wife, although they were mentioned before this in his western novel Me’ma and the Great Mountain. Richards explains "I took a diary on the trip in order to write my second novel The Goodbye Family.

Orphie from The Goodbye Family by Lorin Morgan-Richards

The Goodbye family consisted of undertakers Otis and Pyridine, their daughter Orphie and her pet tarantula Dorian. Orphie was first seen atop the Notre Dame Cathedral with gargoyles, Otis was trying to board a train at customs with a shrunken head, Pyridine was sewing a limb back together in Cardiff, and Dorian was capturing a fairy to eat. Following these illustrations, a cat Ouiji was unveiled and Orphie is said to have a brother named Kepla, but he is hardly ever seen and it is unclear if he even exists."[26]

Between 2009 and 2013, Richards was bookbinding his limited edition versions of each title with runs equaling 50 to 400. These collectible books were typically oversewn by hand with a faux leather hard backing and linen pages inside. In an interview he states:

"Having seen what is being printed by majors these days with poor quality paper, I wanted to provide the reader with a book that carries more value near the same price and that can last for generations. Nothing would be more inspiring to me than to know my books are treasured like an heirloom."

Stylistically, Richards prefers a pencil and ink approach to his illustrations, and his writing often has elements of dark satire. Many of his stories also have a strong environmental message.[27]

Between 2015 and 2018 Richards ran two weekly cartoons on Steamkat, a comic strip site, The Goodbye Family and The Noodle Rut.[28] Richards won the 2016 Official Tasty Nugget award for his illustrated story Sad Lost Doll.[29]

Homeless child studies under the moonlight by Marcil d'Hirson Garron

Since 2018, Richards has syndicated his series The Goodbye Family on Tapas as well as through his social media.[30]

The Goodbye Family[]

Main article: The Goodbye Family
Down West by Lorin Morgan-Richards

Since 2017, Richards has released his comic collections on a nearly quarterly basis, growing his audience, and solely focusing on The Goodbye Family and his Weird West brand. In an interview in 2019, he announced an early 2020 release of his second novel The Goodbye Family and the Great Mountain saying:

It follows the lives of Weird West undertakers Otis, Pyridine, and their daughter Orphie. Pyridine is a witch and matriarch mortician, Otis is a brainless but bold hearse driver, and Orphie is appointed grave digger for her strength of twenty men. Through bumbling Otis discovers his neighbors are turning into zombies, a mystery that is directly affecting their burial business. In their backyard cemetery they travel to the underworld for answers and uncover a plot to surface the evil entities, that would otherwise burn in the Lake of Fire, have risen again through oil pumps that are being bottled as a tonic medicine for the ground above. The tonic is consumed and the host fully takes over the body when the body perishes. Can the Goodbyes hilarious gaffes and revelations plug up the works?[31]

A Raven Above Press[]

A Raven Above Press was founded in 2009 by Richards with a focus on printing his illustrated stories and promoting other authors and illustrators of Celtic and Native American origin. The press also became a catalyst for producing cultural events and art exhibits. Notably, the Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival.[32] On 1 August 2013, Celtic Family Magazine hit the newsstands with a release party in Cardiff, Wales.[11] Richards was the founder and publisher of Celtic Family Magazine from its inception in 2013 to its hiatus in 2017.

The logo for A Raven Above Press displays a raven atop a bending cypress tree. Model Wednesday Mourning appeared in the main ad for A Raven Above Press,[33] as well as Richards daughter Berlin in her traditional Welsh dress.

Richards would produce a book for every Welsh event he curated through A Raven Above Press. Outside of including his own illustration, these books often had American and Welsh artists depict the subject matter. Notable artists involved were Jen Delyth, Ruth Jên, Siobhan Owen, Monica Richards, Nichola and Sarah Hope, and Nathan Wyburn to name a few. The following is a list of these books:

  • A Welsh Alphabet by Lorin Morgan-Richards and Peter Anthony Freeman (2010) in conjunction with the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod.
  • The Children's Voice: A Definitive Collection of Welsh Nursery Rhymes by Peter Anthony Freeman (2012) in conjunction with the 2012 Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival.
  • The Age of Saints by Peter Anthony Freeman (2013) in conjunction with the 2013 Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival.
  • Welsh in the Old West by Lorin Morgan-Richards (2015) created for but released after the 2014 Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival.

Native American Involvement[]

Lorin Morgan-Richards speaking at Bringing the Circle Together

Richards speaking on the history books he read in grade school: "Usually the pictures told much more about American history than the text. I remembered seeing at a very early age a glowing photo of Custer and a few pages after (of) an elderly man, who looked like my own grandfather, lying dead in the snow. He was alone, and without care. I later found out his name was Miniconjou chief Spotted Elk (Bigfoot) and he was part of the massacre at Wounded Knee. That photo has always stuck with me. I knew something was not right, and the text which was alongside it was not giving the full story."[20]

Bringing the Circle Together[]

Main article: Bringing the Circle Together
Lorin Morgan-Richards with his daughter Berlin

Between 2008 and 2012, Richards partnered with Native American and Indigenous groups in Los Angeles to establish Bringing the Circle Together,[34][35] a free monthly film series hosted at the Japanese American National Museum. The series offered a central gathering place to screen documentaries by and about Indigenous people while providing historical narratives with guest speakers, and art and cultural demonstrations. Special guests included Makana, Saginaw Grant, Douglas Miles, Blase Bonpane, among others.

The film series in partnership with AIM Santa Barbara held a community birthday celebration at Nahui Ohlin in Los Angeles for Leonard Peltier on 12 September 2009, with an update on his status and how the public could get involved to petition his release. Richards spoke to a reporter: "This is all grassroots. Everyone's voice counts. The time is now because Barack Obama, our president, had said it's not the president that actually makes the change, it's going to be our pressure upon the president that will make the change."[36] The event was followed in December by a screening of Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier with discussion afterward by Ben Carnes, members of AIM Santa Barbara, as well as friends and family.[37]

History was made at the film series on 25 February 2010, at the screening of Lost Nation: The Ioway when representatives of the Southern Ioway and Northern Ioway tribes gathered with Tongva leaders, making it the first time a meeting took place between Southern California and Midwestern Native American Nations.[38][39]

Celtic involvement[]

Author and illustrator Lorin Morgan-Richards

Richards became heavily involved in the Welsh-American community after the closure of the Welsh Presbyterian Church in December 2012.[citation needed] Before this, Richards had helped coordinate an Eisteddfod at Barnsdall Art Park in 2011. Feeling a need to fill the void of losing the church as a cultural center, Richards founded the Los Angeles St. David's Day Festival, an annual event taking place on or around 1 March celebrating Wales. The first festival took place on 1 March 2013. Singer and harpist Siobhan Owen headlined the large-scale event. In conjunction with the festival, Richards began producing Celtic Family Magazine, a nationally distributed print and digital publication on Celtic interests.[40]

Imperfectualism[]

Imperfectualism is an anti-art treatise by Lorin Morgan-Richards, using the pen name Marcil d’Hirson Garron, and first published in January 2020.[41] Richards defines Impefectualism as art that cannot be easily replicated by machine. An imperfectualist looks to slow automation through their art.[42] The theme of Imperfectualism is the art of being imperfect. Richards used automatic drawing as a means of producing the work where conscious control is suppressed.[43]

Personal life[]

Beliefs[]

Richards considers himself a Spiritualist, stating that:

After a lifetime of witnessing spirit communication and most remarkably of that spirit I have seen firsthand, some in very close proximity, I feel I need to announce my path closely aligns with Spiritualism, or more precisely Spiritism and its view of reincarnation.[44] In relation to his art, Richards states: My imagination helps see the past come to life as if watching a theater production put on by spirits.[45]

Works[]

Bibliography[]

  • Simon Snootle and Other Small Stories (2009) ISBN 0985044748
  • A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels (2010) ISBN 0985044772
  • A Little Hard to Swallow (2010) ISBN 0997319313
  • A Welsh Alphabet (2010), with notes by Peter Anthony Freeman ISBN 0983002053 (in collaboration with other artists)
  • The Terribly Mini Monster Book & a Lesser Known Story About a Rare Benign Belbow (2011) ISBN 0983002045
  • Me’ma and the Great Mountain (2012), with foreword by Corine Fairbanks ISBN 0985044799
  • Welsh in the Old West (2015), with foreword by Jude Johnson[46] ISBN 0983002096 (in collaboration with other artists)
  • Dark Letter Days: Collected Works (2016) ISBN 0997319305
  • The Night Speaks to Me: A Posthumous Account of Jim Morrison (2016) ISBN 0997319321
  • The People of Turtle Island: Book One in the Series (2016) ISBN 099731933X
  • The Dreaded Summons and Other Misplaced Bills (2017) ISBN 0983002061
  • Imperfectualism (2020) ISBN 9781733287944
  • The Goodbye Family and the Great Mountain (2020), with foreword by Richard-Lael Lillard ISBN 9781733287913

Comic collections[]

  • 13 Disturbing Postcards to Send to Your Grandparents (2010) ISBN 0983002002
  • Memento Mori: The Goodbye Family Album (2017) ISBN 0997319348
  • Wanted: Dead or Alive...but not stinkin' (2017) ISBN 0997319356
  • The Goodbye Family Unveiled (2017) ISBN 9780997319361
  • Down West (2018) ISBN 9780983002079
  • Nicklesworth: Featuring the Goodbye Family (2018) ISBN 9780997319392
  • Gallows Humor: Hangin' with the Goodbye Family (2018) ISBN 9780997319385
  • Dead Man's Hand-kerchief: Dealing with the Goodbye Family (2019) ISBN 9780983002086
  • The Importance of Being Otis: Undertaking with the Goodbye Family (2019) ISBN 9781733287906
  • Yippee Ki-Yayenne Mother Pepper: Getting Saucy with the Goodbye Family (2019) ISBN 9781733287937
  • Pyridine's Fancy: It's a Grave Business with the Goodbye Family (2020) ISBN 9781733287975[47]
  • Keeping up with the Boneses: Digging with the Goodbye Family (2020) ISBN 978-1733287999
  • Family Messings: Getting Dirty with the Goodbye Family (2021) ISBN 978-1737222101

Comic volumes[]

  • The Goodbye Family Jewels: Volume 1 (2020) ISBN 978-1733287982

As illustrator only[]

  • The Pied Piper of Hamelin (2012), authored by Robert Browning, colorized by J.A. Pringles[48]
  • Plop the Raindrop (2013), authored by Kevin Alan Richards

Web stories[]

Richards has created original content and retold classic stories with his illustration for social media.

Original stories[]

  • Sal the Silverfish (2016)
  • The Overcooked Tater Tot (2016)
  • The Sad Lost Doll (2016)
  • The Tiny Adventure of Hairball Man (2016)
  • 12 Days of Krampus (2016)

Now That's a Silly Goose[]

The following are classic stories illustrated by Richards

  • Jack and the Beanstalk (2020)
  • Aesop's Fables (2020)

Discography[]

Solo studio albums[]

Albums released under the name Elder Moon or Lorin Morgan-Richards

Year Title
1999 ENKI
2001 An Occurrence Remembered
2002 We See But Dimly
2010 Orpheus

Compilation albums[]

Year Title
2001 Notes From Thee Real Underground IV (Underground, Inc.)
2002 Mutations: Tribute to Alice Cooper (Underground, Inc.)

Audiobooks[]

Albums released under the name Lorin Morgan-Richards

Year Title
2010 A Boy Born from Mold and Other Delectable Morsels (Read by Jason Shepherd, introduction by Seongje Hwang and Tae Sung Jie)
2012 Simon Snootle and Other Small Stories (Read by Jason Shepherd, introduction by Seongje Hwang and Tae Sung Jie)
2012 A Welsh Alphabet (Read by Jason Shepherd)
2018 The Dreaded Summons and Other Misplaced Bills (Read by Jason Shepherd, introduction by Jay Hwang and Jie TS)

Collaborative albums[]

Albums released with associated acts

Year Title
1994 1991:94
1998 Graven Image – Black Lung Cathedral. Released on Jevan Records.
2009 Graven Image – Early Demos and Live Tracks

Collaborative EPs[]

EPs released with associated acts

Year Title
2021 The Goodbye Family produced and mixed by Chopper Franklin, lyrics by Lorin Morgan-Richards, vocals by Mather Louth and music by the Heathen Apostles.[49] Featuring songs Sew it up, Get Outta Dodge, and Lake of Fire (instrumental). Released on Ratchet Blade Records.

Filmography[]

Year Title Distributor Notes
1990 The Cowboy Movie (short film) Wayne Thomas Productions
2013 Do Ye the Little Things in Life: St. David's Day Festival-National Day of Wales 2013 (short film) A Raven Above Press
2010 Lower (music video) A Raven Above Press
2015-2016 TADA TV (mini-series) A Raven Above Press
2020 – present Lorin Morgan-Richards Presents Biographies of the West (mini-series) A Raven Above Press
2020 The Gentleman Psychic (mini-series) The Gentleman Psychic Productions[50] Episodes: Jim Morrison Occultist Poet, Addams Family Walking Tour, Vampira.
2021 The Mari Lwyd by Lorin Morgan-Richards (short film) A Raven Above Press
2021 – present The Goodbye Family: The Animated Series (mini-series) A Raven Above Press[51] Episodes: The Seance, The Skeleton Key, The Slime.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Speaker Profile - Lorin Morgan-Richards". Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  2. ^ "An Occurrence Remembered". Open.spotify.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Lorin Morgan-Richards Storefront - Music by Lorin Morgan-Richards".
  4. ^ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBj97hhUqp7NgMYsf3Gnr5Q
  5. ^ "Author Interview with Lorin Morgan-Richards". 19 June 2020.
  6. ^ "The Welsh in America". Wales Art Review. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Welsh Singing Sensation Meinir Gwilym Makes her American Debut in Hollywood". Welsh Icon News. 12 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Richard Burton honored with a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame". Express.co.uk. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  9. ^ "St David's Day: Wales Around the World". Daily Post. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  10. ^ "From Carmarthenshire to Hollywood". Carmarthen Journal. 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Celts in California". Irish Arts & Entertainment. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Welsh in the Old West: More than you thought" (PDF). British Weekly. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Interview with Lorin Morgan-Richards". SteamKat.com. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  14. ^ Cacho, Daniela (13 February 2015). "One of many Tri-C Alumni Contains a Creator of Children's Literature – The Voice". Cccvoice.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  15. ^ Scene Magazine, 2000 Scene Magazine Music Awards, Erick Trickey, published 27 April 2000
  16. ^ Last Sigh Magazine, Enki, by Tek, published 28 May 2000
  17. ^ The Cleveland Free Times, The Power of ENKI, by Laura DeMarco, Published 17–23 November 1999
  18. ^ Civil War Times Illustrated, December 2001
  19. ^ "Kyle Zaffino Reviews a Concept Album by Lorin Morgan-Richards". Ambrosebierce.org.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b Golwg360, 21 January 2016, Welsh language newspaper.
  21. ^ "Reviews". Darktwincities.com. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  22. ^ @LMorganRichards (14 June 2018). "I will be rereleasing my past albums and upcoming tracks as my new songwriting moniker Elder Moon. Updates will be…" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 June 2018 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Gothic Beauty Magazine, Issue 31, 2010
  24. ^ Lamkin, Elaine (29 January 2010). "Simon Snootle and Other Small Stories (Book) | Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central". Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  25. ^ Disdeinen.net, 13 October 2009
  26. ^ "An Interview with Lorin Morgan-Richards". SteamKat.com. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  27. ^ [1]
  28. ^ "Home". SteamKat.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  29. ^ "Tasty Nuggets Banjo's Hollywood". Tastynuggets.com. 1 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  30. ^ "The Goodbye Family | Tapas". Tapas.io. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Interview With Author Lorin Morgan-Richards". Nfreads.com.
  32. ^ "Welsh artists to descend on Hollywood this coming St David's Day". Wales World Wide. 10 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  33. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ^ "Mar 18 on FM: Women's Month, Bridge City & So. Central Farm Update". Feminist Magazine. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  35. ^ "In Los Angeles, A Free Screening of Quest of the Carib Canoe". Garinet.com. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  36. ^ "Rally for Leonard Peltier : LA IMC". La.indymedia.org. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  37. ^ "Events | Japanese American National Museum". Janm.org. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  38. ^ ""Lost Nation: The Ioway" - News". Iowaymovie.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  39. ^ "Sac and Fox News" (PDF). www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  40. ^ Barton, Cath (31 October 2013). "The Welsh in America". Wales Arts Review. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  41. ^ Morgan-Richards, Lorin (2020). Imperfectualism (9781733287944): Lorin Morgan-Richards: Books. ISBN 978-1733287944.
  42. ^ "Marcil D'Hirson Garron aka Lorin Morgan-Richards - Art". Fineartamerica.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  43. ^ Morgan-Richards, Lorin (18 March 2020). Imperfectualism. Raven Above Press, A. ISBN 9781733287944 – via Google Books.
  44. ^ @LMorganRichards (25 September 2019). "Quote by Lorin Morgan-Richards about Spiritism #spiritism #spiritualism #spiritualist #psychicmedium #pyschic" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Lorin Morgan-Richards Western Artist - Denim Boulevard
  46. ^ "The Welsh roots of America's Wild West gunslingers revealed". Wales Online. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  47. ^ LorinMorgan-Richards on Twitter: "Cover for the upcoming comic collection due out April 1st, 2020 - ‘Pyridine's Fancy: It's a Grave Business with the Goodbye Family’ by Lorin ..."
  48. ^ "David Edmonds (Lansing, MI)'s review of The Pied Piper of Hamelin". Goodreads.com. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  49. ^ https://heathenapostles.bandcamp.com/album/the-goodbye-family-ep
  50. ^ "The Gentleman Psychic (TV Series 2020– ) - IMDb".
  51. ^ "Lorin Morgan-Richards - News". Lorinrichards.com. Retrieved 18 March 2020.

External links[]

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