Meet the Artist: Steve Morris

Steve Morris, 62, is from Chesterfield and has been at the for more than two years.

He started painting soon after he retired.

"I decided I wanted to paint because I had dealt with art
most of my career in advertising and design and wanted to see if I
could do it," he said in an email. "I was fortunate to get a studio at the Foundry and have been painting ever since. I wish I had started earlier because I
enjoy it so much."

Morris had a water color, called Purple Lilies, on display as part of the exhibit "Blossom, Art of the Flower" at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago through Dec. 31. You can also see his work at the Foundry Art Centre.

St. Charles Patch: Describe a typical piece. What's the process from conception to completion?

Morris: My subject matter usually incorporates natures animate and inanimate objects. I often go on walks in the woods or on the beach and gather interesting items that sooner or later end up in a piece.

On other occasions I go to the farmers markets and pick out fruits and vegetables that still have their leafs and roots which I find the most interesting to paint. Once I've settled on a group of items I will sit down and do a series of thumbnail sketches to work out the composition.  

At this stage I will do a very tight drawing from life directly on my paper and start painting. I enjoy the drawing part of the process and make no attempt to hide my pencil lines when painting.  

The only time I deviate from this is when I'm putting in an unusual or graphic background which I complete before I start the main painting in case it doesn't work out and I've wasted a lot of time.

St. Charles Patch: How has your art evolved over time?

Morris: The main thing you would notice is the handling of the medium. At this stage of my career I work everyday to perfect my technical abilities and expand my subject matter–it's a slow but rewarding process.

St. Charles Patch: What are you working on?

Morris: I just finished working on series of images dealing with queen anne's lace and cone flowers. My next project is a series of larger pieces incorporating bird nests and their builders.

St. Charles Patch: Name one thing that has had a big influence on you as an artist?

Morris: Family, friends and the Foundry (the 3 F's). If I have to go with one I would go with family.