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Biography |
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“The landscape paintings of Gail Morris are spare and elegant. Economical divisions set off the near from the far spaces. Color relations are abstract and resonant. These pictures are evidence of a sensuous and celebratory response to nature, and to life in general.” - Wolf Kahn |
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So begins the book Horizon Lines: The Paintings of Gail Morris as one of her inspirations and one of her instructors was privileged to describe her paintings in the forward of her latest book. Beginning with a career in photojournalism, Gail Morris found her passion moving more and more toward palette, canvas, and brush as she studied with artists in Haiti and worked along such noted artists as Michael Workman, Matt Smith and T.A. Lawson. |
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Perhaps it’s because she feels a unique connection with the land that her landscapes so vividly capture the richness of a New Mexico valley or the hillsides of California. Though she presently lives in California, she does not confine her work to a single region. Her love of travel has enriched her perspective as she lends an element of magic to each of her creations. With each panorama, the eye of the viewer is drawn to the deep colors of the expanses she paints. |
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Morris comments, “I strive to capture the soothing exuberance of the Western landscape. My focus in creating these paintings is to reduce each experience to its visual and emotional essence. To achieve this, I find my work is informed by the great color field abstractionists as much as it is by the traditions of landscape. By merging these influences with my own visceral response to these places, I endeavor to create a new and transcendent synthesis, one that draws the viewer into the work and transmits a sense of place.” |
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For these reasons her work has been classified as both contemporary, yet traditional. The image of the landscape can be reduced to clean abstract lines, brimming with color. She has participated in over fifty juried shows garnering over twenty prizes. Her work is in a number of noted private and corporate collections throughout California as well as throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan and Europe. |
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Exhibitions |
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2007 |
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“Beneath the Surface” Bonne David Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ (solo) |
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2007 |
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“Luminous Paintings” 255 California, San Francisco, CA (solo) |
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2006 |
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“Sculptured Skies” Bonner David Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ (solo) |
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2006 |
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“Recent Work” Sausalito Art Collection, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2006 |
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“Women’s Exhibit” Impact Gallery, NY |
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2005 |
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“Fine Art” Napa Valley Expo: 2nd Place |
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2005 |
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“Beyond the Sky” Bonner David Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ (solo) |
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2005 |
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“On the Shore of Silence” Bay Model Museum, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2004 |
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“Recent Paintings” Stein Gallery, St. Louis, MO (solo) |
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2004 |
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“Horizon Lines” Vanier Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ (solo) |
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2004 |
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“Equinox” Sausalito Art Collection, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2004 |
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“Horizons” Sierra del Mar: Big Sur, CA (solo) |
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2004 |
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“Fine Art” Marin County Show: 2nd Place |
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2003 |
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“Eleven” Vanier Galleries, Tucson, AZ |
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2003 |
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“Mystical Landscapes” Sausalito Art Collection, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2003 |
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“California” Bolinas Museum of Art, Bolinas, CA |
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2003 |
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“20th National” Hilton Head Art, Hilton Head, S.C. |
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2002 |
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“California Skies” California Art Club, Pasadena, CA |
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2002 |
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“Expressions: Bryant Gallery, New Orleans, LA |
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2002 |
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“Horizon Lines” Sausalito Art Collection, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2001 |
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“Color and Light” Sausalito Art Collection, Sausalito, CA (solo) |
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2001 |
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“Magnum Opus” Capital Gallery, Sacramento, CA |
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2001 |
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“Fine Art” Marin County Show: Best of Show Ptg. |
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2000 |
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“104th Annual” Catharine Lorillard Wolfe: NY, NY |
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2000 |
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“National Art” Bryant Gallery, New Orleans, LA |
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2000 |
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“A Warm Season” Depot Gallery, Mill Valley, CA (solo) |
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1999 |
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“Recent Landscapes” Chambers Gallery, Mill Valley, CA (solo) |
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1999 |
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“43rd International” San Diego Art Institute: Gold Medal |
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1999 |
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“National Western” Society of Western Artists : Gold Medal |
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1998 |
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“Epicenter” Creekside Gallery, San Anselmo, CA (solo) |
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