Last Exhibit of the Year - Happy New Year

Kay Morris Solo Exhibit

Venue: Water 2 Wine

Location: Sky Ridge Plaza - 2000 S. I-H 35 - Suite H1-2 -Round Rock Texas 512-310-WINE(9463)

Reception: December 30th 2011

Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm (Live Music will be from 6pm - 8pm - Don't miss it)

Directions: Please click here: http://www.water2wine.us/googlemappopup.php?p=9-1

Doing something to give back

Vineyards of Suzette 12 x 12 oil on Canvas

GRAPHIC IV

Benifit the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas

Was May 22, 2010 at the Bob Bullock Texas

State History Museum.

Vineyards of Suzette was an Auction item at this event.

If you were interested bu unable to attend this event, you can visit my entire website or send me an email; any sales that are created from this event will result in a 25% donation on BCRC.

So go ahead visit my website: http://www.kaykmorris.com/ or send me an email at kaymorris@kaykmorris.com .

If you have questions about the event please contact Barbara Formichelli - BCRC Director of Marketing and Events Dev. at barb@bcrc.org.

Heroes Nght Out

Eagle for Our Heroes

12 X 16 Oil on Canvas

When I met the founders of Heroes Night Out, Wes and Judy they were all smiles. They give from their hearts every single day. All the heroes are family to this couple and they give to all their children. This organization is created to give veterans and their family just a few hours of healing, their hearts, family, and spirits. The organization's mission is simple : "To provide our wounded heroes and their families dinners, a day or night at a sporting event, amusement park, or any other venue that gives them a well served break from their every day routine while recovering from their injuries...To show our appreciation and support we provide our Heroes with a Heroes Night Out Appreciation wallet. Each wallet includes up to six (6) $50.00 gift cards to local restaurants., providing our Heroes and their families some valuable and well deserved family time and an opportunity to heal their hearts." In appreciation for all they do for our wounded heroes I presented Wes and Judy with a painting of an eagle with dog tags in it's claws.

So if you have the opportunity go to the website http://heroesnightout.org/ and make a difference.

What is your view

Ol' Timer 12X12 Canvas on Birch

Well once again it has been awhile since I posted. I have been busy with kids' sports, finishing small paintings and working on a 15X30, and a variety of other projects around my home.

In just returning from a trip for the kids sports, I realized I am always thinking about art, painting, networking etc. In the past 5 or 6 weeks we have traveled out of the Ausitn area 4 times. Each drive was a minimum of 4 hours (one way), so there were long periods of kids that were sleeping, watching a movie or listening to their IPods. There was limited conversations with mom, unless they were hungry. So I had the opportunity to do alot of thinking about my favorite subject, painting and the creative process. Occasionally stopping (with lots of protests) to take a photo or two. There was a time or two they even suggested a view, which always surprised me.

So back to the 40+ hours of thinking and driving (really it was that long or longer). Since there was so much time, I challenged myself to find out what it was about art and or painting that I really enjoyed. Did I use every possible avenue to promote? Why did I take so many photographs? With all the additional questions that arose because of the in-depth conversation with myself.

Did I use every possible avenue to promote myself - Most likely not. Now days there are so many ways to promote oneself that if that was all I did , I would do a much better job, but my main focus is painting. So if you have any suggestions please pass them on, I am always looking for new or better ways to promote. But I will have to say that I really connect with people. Each place that we visited; I was truly inspired by someone. People are what life is all about, and they help me get inspired about the landscape around. Thanks to Jay (Yahsu Jay), who reminded me of my heritage and why I am here painting, MJ and Carol who kept me laughing when I wanted to cry or scream, Merrie whose kindness just blew me away. Each person I meet or connected with adds to my bouquet of life's experiences and leaves a footprint that will never be forgotten. Each of these experiences adds to the emotion for each painting in that area.

What was it that encouraged me to take so many photos, even when there was not much to photograph? Well, to be honest this one eluded me for a while, till I figured out that I was trying to capture more than the location. I was trying to document via photographs the emotion that was inspiring me in the first place to view the landscape. Granted there are probably only abut 5% of all my photographs what will make it onto canvas to be painted. I try to capture what is around the view, the light, or other points of interest that help me get inspired. And that's ok with me.

As for why I paint, after a few hours of contemplating I came to quite a few conclusions; the main being it was my passions set deep inside of me. So what did that mean to me (more soul searching), I found that it was the spiritual emotion that I felt at the location that inspired me to look harder, feel the spirit, and become on with the location. How that made me feel and what I thought about when I was communing with what I was seeing. I came to an even deeper conclusion that it wasn't just what I was seeing it was the emotions and spiritual connection that was felt, which is what I wanted to paint along with the scenery. This is what I'm inspired to paint. As I review the photographs that I had taken all the emotion comes back to me and I work at conveying that in my paintings.

Critiquing and the tax man

Artists have such a wonderful job; we create on a constant basis, we love our job, and we have an expanded view of the world we live in. Granted we have other jobs too, but our passion that is seeded deep in our soul is to create. We are always looking for the next painting in everything that we see, and that expression is what can transform our painting. Artists look at life as the whole then drill down to the detail, so we see the forest and the trees at the same time. We even look at what is not there. Critiquing today was very inspirational for me. Not only did we talk about each painting (10 in total) we also incorporated what it means to be in the business of art selling, what the tax man is looking for and what we can do to be sure we are compliant with the tax man. I recently read a wonderful article on this in the Artist Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 edition. As the article states and I have heard from two CPA's is that the IRS looks at us (artist) as hobbyist till we prove them wrong by running things as a business, a real business. I encourage all artists to get this magazine and read the article. During the critiquing each of us found that we were really done with some of our paintings even though we thought we were not. Kirsten, Kitty and I all have very different styles and approaches to our work which really makes this group so fun. It is teaching each of us to look at things a bit differently and understand where each needs support. We all had stories to tell about our painting which is what each painting was expressing all on its own. Is it not what a paintings is supposed to do? And is it not what we as artist are trying to create, or tell, or get across; the story that encouraged us to paint in the first place? So I encourage each of you to see if your painting/creation is telling viewers the story or statement that you want to be told. Are you creating just to create or are you enjoying your passion? Do you have others that support your soul and your creation, if not find someone who does. I promote spending time reading, researching about other artist; comment on blogs you are following and getting out - all this will assist you in creating your next wonderful painting. Life is ever changing with creative inspiration around every corner. Keep your brushes full of paint and your mind fresh with new creations.

A New Year...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope your holidays went well and you are looking forward to this new beginning. Each year I set new goals for my art, last year it was to paint 25 paintings, I actually painted 35. This year it is to create 40 paintings, enter at least one international competition, and two national competitions. So to bring in the new year with a bang I have already create one painting and entered an international competition. The revised - To Paul's Since my last posting I have been reworking a few of my last two paintings; adjusting, tweaking, and pushing something back for more depth. Matter a fact I've been worked on the entry to the competition since mid August. Tweaking here, pushing back there, and changing angles. Till I was totally satisfied with the painting. So when it sat on my spare easel and I passed it I could not find anything stand out as being off or wrong. This is just one way that I can be sure a piece is complete. I encourage all artist to have a plan this year. Write down how many paintings you will paint, and any other goals for your career you want to expand or explore.

December Critiquing

LEFT TO RIGHT KIRSTEN, KITTY, MELINDA

This month's Critiquing was full of information. Not only did we change the location for something new, we did a demo. Our location this month was at Melinda's studio in Dripping Springs. Melinda's studio was awesome, lots of creative space to work in, with inspiration surrounding you on the walls.

Our first mini talk was about networking and selling paintings. Some of the area that were suggested were getting your artwork into galleries, belonging to art groups, doing shows, and talking with owners of different venues to show your art like small cafe's. No matter where you live there is at least two places you can have your artwork, look at independently owned salons, cafes, or other places where there is lots of traffic. Art groups are always a great idea. Most cities have an art guild or something similar to learn, explore, and share information. Art shows can run anyway from a weekend up to a month if there is a competition/gallery involved. You need to show your work to potential clients so they know you are an upcoming artist.

What do you use to paint on? We have a variety to choose from. Yes we have the typical canvas stretched on a wooden frame, but have you tried untreated hard board nailed to 1 x 2 strips of wood, then add some Matte Medium, and several coats of Gesso? Melinda talked about how she creates her own painting surfaces by this technique. Amazing. Michael Skalka wrote about this technique in an artist magazine.

There was a demo on how to stretch your own canvas. I used the following tools framers square clamps (4) Canvas Stretcher tool, staple gun, and measuring tape. One thing we found out is not all stretcher bars are created equally or should I say work with other brands. So when you purchase your bars be sure if they are from different companies or they work together. Some company's male tab that fits into the next frame is in the opposite position as others. I started with placing the framing bars in the framers square clamps after putting the square or rectangle together. I measured the opposite corners to verify the frame is absolutely square. I placed staples on the same side but opposite ends of the same framing bar. Then working from the center of each side pulling the canvas tight. The next staples are place on the right of the first center staple then the left of the opposite side so the second staples are on the same side if you are looking at the canvas. Then the opposite ends are done the same way. Back to the first staple side. A staple is now placed on the left side and the opposite end is on the right and you work your way around using the canvas stretcher tool to pull the canvas tight each time. Each staple is place about an inch to an inch and a half from the next. When you get close to the corners pull the first initial 4 staples so you can continue with the stapling to about 3/4 of an inch from the corners. Now there are two ways you can do your corners, one way is like a linen fold for your bed sheets or the second is pulling from the center of the corner then staple each side of the corner.

We talked about pricing our paintings and what seems to work best was length x width x price per square inch.

Our critiquing was so much fun. Kirsten had a small abstract that was not of a woman. It had great lines and lead our eyes around the canvas with great resting places. Her second piece was much larger 24x36. The painting was done with the width being 24, but I felt that it needed to be turned and what a difference it made. Melinda had a well started pastel stick abstract; it had a great red in the center. Her next piece is a still life with a great composition and dramatic shadows. Kitty did something new an abstract sunflower. Great colors and composition, with a deepening of some shadow the piece is done. Kay reworked a previous painting and it was well done; however I need to remove a shadow that now cuts the painting. The second painting just needed a little shadowing added to one plant and we can call that one done too.

Our next meeting will not be till Jan '10' so we are taking a break for the holidays. In the meantime I will post toward the end Dec. Have a great few weeks.

What has been going on

Wow, last few weeks have gone by faster than I ever imagined. As I had stated in the last posting, I had started a critiquing group in the Austin area. We now had three sessions, so I will catch up on the last two first. A few confessions first; on the 1st meeting I was very nervous. I had not done anything like this before but I felt that it's needed. Now I'm really feeling very comfortable with our critiquing group. It is growing and the talent pool is great. We all see something different and our words are kind. I've recently noticed more and more artists are opening up and sharing more. Which I think is absolutely fabulous. There is a group in the Dallas metroplex that I had the pleasure of meeting at a workshop with Carol Marine in Jan of this year. They all work together and that is what it's all about. I would like to invite them publicly to our next session. You hear that Karen, Mark, Suzy, Carol, Grant, Sharon, and Kay; and if I forgot someone sorry. Come on down and we can make a day of it. As for the critiquing three weeks ago was our second session. Kirsten and Kitty were there and Melinda came in a little later. Kirsten had two new paintings, great colors and contrast. You can really feel the mood she is trying to create. Kitty had one she had got closer to finishing and another that she decided to change into an abstract. I was still struggling with one and Melinda has just blown me away with her paintings. And to think she is just getting back into it. This week Kirsten, Kitty, Deborah and Belinda were present. Kirsten you are a painting machine. She had two more paintings done. Kitty finished her floral and with some very very minor color tweaking in this small area she will make it all pop. Deborah, your colt is just wonderful. Belinda was running short of time so she did not bring her paintings with her and I revisited my last painting and got some tips on adding depth and it should be done and I will post by the next session. I certainly learned alot this week about the way I paint and how to make it better. Thank you all for being here it really made a difference in the way I think about my paintings and what I see. We have a great group and I would encourage all artists to get together with other like minds and see how much your own artwork will blossom because of it. Next session I will demonstrate how I stretch my canvas.

Inside the Gate....

Inside the Gate 22 X 18 Oil on Canvas

Wow, time fly's when you're busy. I promised a new painting and I have more. So first things, first. This is a view from an open gate on the island of Cyprus. Hence the name "Inside the Gate". I know you will enjoy the view as much as I did.

Next I started a critiquing group that has met twice thus far. It is really great, they are some extremely talented artists who have a discerning eye when it comes to what little tweaking needs to be done to bring a somewhat complete a painting to am outstanding painting. Example the one above was two inches longer, therefore there was too much shadow to allow your eyes to travel into the painting gracefully. Not to say the shadow was not done well it just was a bit too much. With the suggestion from one artist then verified with several others, I took the plung and cut two inches off before stretching the Canvas. What a dramatic difference those two inches made. I can't thank those artists enough for making a painting for average to great. Anyway, the group is wonderfully filled with lots of caring critiquing, loads of shared information, and new ideas. I had one artist say this is what she had been looking for, a group that is not afraid to share, being honest, and truly wanting the other artist to succeed. Yes my artist friends and collectors there are really great people out there and I have been graced by them and they are fabulous artist to boot. We all have our strengths and we know our weaknesses, and we are not afraid to put our hearts out on the line because we know that it will not be injured, it will be held lovingly and nurtured to create what our souls intended. In the weeks and months ahead I will introduce you to them thru their eyes (or should I say brushes), so stay tuned.

Busy week and then some....

Well it has been awhile. I have not painted as much as I would have liked, but have been busy with kids, and sports. I am working on a scene from Le Suzette from local hilltop, it's about 3/4 done and hopefully be finish this week. In other news, I am starting a critique group. This is in attempt to create an atmosphere of honest helpful critiquing, inspiration, sharing ideas and support. It seems that there are long stretches of time when we spend so much time in our studios we sometime loose sight of our artistic instinct, or just need an extra set of eyes to help us figure out what may be wrong with a painting.

Why are you an artist or better yet what makes you an artist?

A while back, I was reading an art magazine and somewhere along the way I started thinking about why I wanted to be an artist. It's strange but I can remember many years ago my father introduced me to a doctor friend of his and he asked what I wanted to be when I grow up. Now mind you, my father worked in the health industry, this was my first week as a candy stripper/hospital volunteer (for those who are younger) and I am sure this gentleman just assumed that I wanted to be in the same industry, anyhow I replied that I wanted to paint and be an artist. He just smiled, (you know one of those smiles that have more to say but won't say it) but I am sure he was thinking somewhere along the lines of "that's fine little girl but we doctors make more money". (Ah my comment now is" but do they enjoy their vocations for many, many years and even into those retirement years or don't have the fear of being laid off or have some young college kid taking over for less money) So why is it that I wanted to be an artist at such a tender age? Well, the only thing I can think of is that my school took the ling trip to Chicago Art Museum one year, and I was hooked. I remember asking my mother for a paint-by-number kit, which she did. When I got to the real small parts, you know the ones for highlights or nuances of color to make the shape turn and such. Weill, I had already painted over the numbers that indicate what was the number/color was supposed to have gone there. (Hey, it was the first time I had such a kit and didn't know all the rules) Anyway, I add libbed what I though needed to be there and frankly it turned out ok, for the first painting of an 8 year old, and it was all I could muster, and to that same 8 yr. old it was a masterpiece. From that point on that was all I wanted to be. Now mind you this was a long, ok, ok, really long time ago. Now it was not only in my mind but it was in my heart racing through my veins. So now the question remains what makes you an artist? Now exactly what does an artist do? For me I look at an object/scenery and think of it in shapes and color masses. Questions start racing through my head like, how would I paint that, what colors create the colors in the sky/tree/building or whatever. If I add a color like yellow will it make it come too far forward/and the opposite for a green or blue. What if I took this tree out so I could see the building better? Will a square or rectangle canvas be a stronger composition? What do I need to add or subtract to make it a better mood? And then there is the, I can't do anything else, I just have to paint that scene because it just moves me so much. Everywhere I go everything I see; these are the questions that arise. And the questions continue until I decide to paint or not. Whether it is abstract, realistic, impressionist, a photograph, made of any type of material or into any object; it is considered these days as art. Age has no limit on this either. I know, there are some people out there that would say I am wrong, or my definitions are out in left field somewhere, but really am I truly that far off? Is it training or schooling, well no because I know of several self taught artist who are doing quite well. so the only thing I can conclude is that it is in your heart and that it is all you want to do, it is all you see and think about. It is a job that consumes you 24/7, and it is done with great enthusiasm, and gratefulness to be able to create. So the torch is passed to you the reader, fellow artist, art collector: what is your definition?

What would you do part 2

The top is the version that was to be corrected. Can you tell me what was wrong with it? Are you able to see where the perspective is off? Would you have just left it alone?

This is the corrected version, can you see where changes were made? Would you have made similar changes? Granted both paintings were taken in two different locations so the color may seem a bit different but let me explain what changes were made and why. Karen asked/stated a valid point (commented on Blogspot); she asked what decision I had made and she would like to view what was done so she and others could maybe learn from it.

Ok, did you see what changes were done? Well I did some adjustments to the shutters to line them up correctly. Then I did the same for the bottom of the doorway, things were just not lined up. Then the last thing was I added some more stones to the planter.

Both Monte and Gayle had great points also(commented on my website blog), the percentage of changes was not that great, and it seemed to me that when I paint something a second time sometimes I lose some of the spontaneity and spirit that was created in the first painting. So let me know what you all think of the painting and the changes.

What is a person to do?????

This is for all you painters out there. I had finished a painting 2 weeks ago, and I leave it somewhere in my studio to view. This is a practice that helps me know when a painting is really done. As I am working on another painting or just puttzin' in my studio, I have the pleasure of reviewing the painting several times a day for about a week or two. Well this last one that I call Red and Blue, was bugging me. Something about it was wrong or off. I had one of my critique buddies stop by to look at the painting, and she loved it; actually four of them had stopped by and all said the same thing. I had picked these people because they have great taste, yet they are not professional painters but they all have done a great deal in the creative realm. Anyway, it was still bugging me so I left it out for review. For the life of me I spent two weeks looking at the paintings and I could not spot it, whatever it was. I finally re-measured and noticed my perspective was really off. I had used the wrong tools during the drawing stage and got myself in trouble. So my question to you is... If you have a painting that needs to be corrected in a few places, do you correct the original or do you just start over? And to what extent do you work on the first one before you just say you are better off starting afresh? is it a judgement call, or something like if it is less than 25% you work on the first one but after that you might as well start over? I have always wondered. Do you sand that part that needs the correction, what is your process? I am curious, what would you do with it all?

All about Fredericksburg Texas

Fredericksburg Farmhouse

Fredericksburg Farm

These Paintings will have there last hours at The Upper Crust Cafe today. The Group will be taking them down after lunch time closing. It is always a great pleasure to have you painting hanging in an establishment that has a lot of traffic. I would like to thank the management of Upper Crust for allowing us to display there. It was fun to be able to visit with friends, grab a snack and look at wonderful works of art all at the same time. All these opportunities only make my paintings stronger, I always strive to create new and inspiring work. To have them work with each establishment or with the group of paintings that it is being hung with; yet really pop, if that makes any sense. We are working on the next showing, coming to you soon.

Challenge for WildCats

Alone At Last

Also, yesterday I completed the above painting that was a challenge from the WildCats of Provence Group. Deborah had taken this photo of Red Bud Isle last Oct., and challenged the group to paint it in any style, medium, and using our artistic license to crop or change for our own painting experience. So, I cropped and changed a few things to create this lovely scene. What do you think?

AND A WINNING ENTRY IS........

Fredericksburg River II

This past week I recieved a letter from Bosque Art Classic ( aka Conservatory Art Classic), the above painting has been accepted into the competition!!! YEAH :) I have not entered a competition in about a year because you know how life is, it gets in the way of your passions sometimes. Anyway I am soooooo excited. This is such a great honor for me, and I want to thank you for your support (you know who you all are).

Vineyards of Suzette - France 11 x 11 Oil - Canvas on Birch

Sometimes when you are painting you get absorbed into the landscape or object you are painting you just loose yourself. That is what happened here, in a very short time I didn't notice the heat, sun or others conversing around me; a place that I will not forget anytime soon.

Kayak Shack Port Aransas Tx - 12 x 12 Oil - Canvas on Birch - Palette Knife

This trip was great and I had to change the colors of the kayaks to create more drama. Details are hard with a palette knife, at least for now. I am still learning to create shapes and texture. I love painting every stroke is a learning process and it is never boring.

It's been awhile since I said Hello

The Shack and The Vineyard France 8 x 10 Oil - Canvas on birch

When in France do as the French and paint plein air. Well this was done in France except the vineyard. So last week I completed this lovely scene. One the back mountain to the right there was the a monestary and a monk was walking by that would have made a fantastic picture or painting, however he refused to be part of the photograph. I have been very busy with the garden-pulling weeds and watering in this Texas heat with some time to compelete some paintings from the past. I hope you enjoy this painting as with all my paintings they are for sale - if you are interested please email me at kaykm@suddenlink.net.

Now for something a little larger

Split Decision - Italy 24 X 30 Oil on Canvas

This was a painting that I had finished and still am not sure if it is what I wanted. This last week was lots of taking and retaking photos of my entries to the Bosque competition. For some reason two of the four paintings seemed chalky when viewing the online entry but when just pulled up on the computer (which is calibrated) it didn't show that way. I am not sure what the problem was so if anyone else had that issue, some help would be appreciated. Next week I will begin working on a series of four from Agia Napa monestary which translated from Greek is "where the saints go". I still will try to do one or two daily paintings to keep my hand/brush flowing. I have some palette knife paintings that I want to do from Port Aransas. Those will most likely post those first. The Series may take awhile.