Contemporary Canadian Visual Artist, Statement Page

Patricia Morris
(MY ABSTRACTIONS)

A gesture creates a line, line creates space and shape. The intention behind the gesture is reflected in the line, giving it identity, and introducing drama to the space. If the gesture(s) is directed by emotion, and all elements remain abstract, any interpretation if meaning must be intuitive in nature. The abstract paintings are explorations of this very simple principle, and can be divide into two related series:
1) gesture influenced by music; and
2) an investigation of identity, drama and subsequent meaning created by gestural line.

Two direct examples of the second series are "Four Perspectives", which interprets four individual perceptions of one situation, and "A Family Portrait", which presents three individuals, each created by gestures that relate to their characters. These particular three characters are my children. One is separated by disposition as impulsive, unpredictable and headstrong. One is graced with great beauty and purity of heart, she is well grounded, and blossoming into adulthood. The third is acutely insightful and creative, but very sensitive and shy, preferring to stay behind his sister.

Further developments to this second series are "Moon Sliver", and "The Theatre". The application of the original gestures is guided to a greater extent by conscious direction of formal compositional relationships rather than by emotion or character development. The gestures are initially quick, but then become refined through the process of applying the paint, and line emerges into more defined form. Meaning is less tangible, but still found intuitively with more room for association.

The original gestures in the first series mentioned above derive from a musical influence. The titles reference the music in some cases, such as "Freedman" and "Ravel". The intention is to initiate reflection into a musical reverie that is not literal or specific to any one passage, but that recreates the experience of a moment of musical space. Many of these paintings are developed from small sketches done at concerts.

My plans to move forward from here are to continue both series, which may or may not merge. I intend to maintain the fresh and direct energy seen in "Four Perspectives" and "One Night" as I pursue this series with oil on canvas. Most of my work to date has relied heavily on gestural line, and has been done with ink or pastel on paper due to the limitations of time and space inherent in the life of a single parent raising three children. As my children approach independence, available time becomes predictable. This phenomenon, plus limits on size of art works, and the interference of glass over the works on paper have led me to experiment with oil on canvas. It is a challenging and exciting adventure.

With each and every painting I hope to convey an insight, to awaken associations, or to nurture positive energy of the sort that makes life meaningful.

A Friendly Note:

This site uses advanced CSS to provide functional, attractive pages that preserve precious bandwidth. You are able to see this message because you are using an older browser that does not support current web standards. You are able to view our entire site... in a slightly modified format. If you have the opportunity, we recommend upgrading to the latest version of Netscape, Microsoft, or Opera browser, your surfing pleasure will be dramatically increased!