Ike E. Morgan

We first met Ike in 1993 when he was residing at the Austin State Hospital. We had known of his art and loved it, so we were feeling lucky the day we got to actually meet the guy painting these presidents, mona lisas, and a few other subjects that slipped in from time to time.

Ike suffers from chronic schizophrenia and had lived in the State Hospital from the time he was 17 up until just a few years ago. Now in early 50's Ike lives out on his own with a roommate and is doing great.

Because of his years and the time period Ike was in the State Hospital, Ike is kinda stuck in the 1970's, at least all of the coolest parts of the 70's. Thus the blue suit in his picture. his taste in music, his language, and his personal style are reflected in the time period he first went into the hospital.

Ike's style and his sweet loving manner makes him the coolest of guys I know. Ike has a great way of telling you the truth or making you see something the way he sees it without ever hurting your feelings with his honesty. When we have tried to engage Ike in conversation on a subject we like and he really doesn't; he will just say, "you know that means something to some people" or "living can be the hardest thing to do sometimes."

Ike paints every day, lining up two or three pieces at a time to layer the paint. He first started painting George Washington on the dollar bill. Then he branched out with other presdients from a book he saw on the traveling book cart at the hospital. That is also where he picked up painting the Mona Lisa image. He paints these subjects over and over trying to make them better each time as he continues to experiment with materials and techniques. Occassionaly he will slip in a new subject he is interested in such as birds, Xena Warrior Princess, Dr. Suess character, Rick James or Beethoven.

When questioned about his painting Ike responds, "you know painting just makes you feel good and when others feel good too -that is something."