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Personal Statement
My work has been described as eclectic and authentically
personal, incorporating subtle political statement in expressive,
graceful, elegant form. They are figurative, yet have an abstract
conceptual basis. Through three decades as wife, mother, and teacher
(mathematics, not art) I believe that I have a sensitivity to universal
human experiences, although my perspective as an African-American
woman is often evident. If the viewer remarks, “that’s
me—I feel just like that” or “I remember that—I’ve
been there” or “I know her” then I have achieved
a major goal. I particularly enjoy portrait sculpture—in the
faces of people, I see the wonder, the promise, and the majesty
of creation. While my goal is to contribute to American public sculpture
works that edify human beings and the human spirit, I also want
the viewer of my work to respect the strength, the character, and
the beauty of my people--the descendants of African survivors in
the Americas.
Fine
Arts Education
Contributors to my education as an artist began with my father,
Armstead Morris. Together we did pastel illustrations for the stories
he told and read. He was followed by many fine teachers in public
schools, elementary through university. Experiences throughout my
life are valued for their contribution to my growth as an artist.
Four years of ballet was a way to study the body, motion and anatomy.
Years of sketching the faces of my students while they took math
exams increased my ability to differentiate the characteristics
and planes in faces. In the midst of the art classes listed below
were other classes such as furniture design and construction, stained
glass, pottery, etc. through adult school offerings and local community
colleges.
| Bruno Lucchesi, Scottsdale
Artists'
School, Scottsdale, AZ, Terracotta Sculpture |
2003 |
Nigel Konstam, Verrocchio d’Arte
Centro, Casole d’Elsa, Sienna, Italy
Stone carving techniques |
2000 |
Lincoln Fox, Scottsdale Artists’ School,
Scottsdale, AZ
Life Sculpture-the Creative Process in Sculpture |
1997, 1999 |
Ross Stockwell, Mesa Community College, San
Diego, CA
Life sculpture, clay (1997) |
1991, 1995 |
Lane Campbell, Sculptor and Owner, Fire Arts
Foundry, San Diego, CA
Sculpture, foundry techniques |
1992-1994 |
Trina Dixon, Arts Center, University of California,
San Diego
Workshop-Portrait, terra-cotta |
1990 |
Wayne Taysom, Oregon State University
Sculpture, clay, welded steel, metal (centrifugal & gravity)
casting |
1960-1962 |
Formal Education
M.S. Psychology University of
California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA |
1975-1976 |
Teaching Credential Oregon State University
Secondary Mathematics Corvallis, OR |
1966 |
B.S. Mathematics Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR |
1960-1962 |
Virginia State College
Petersburg, VA |
1958-1960 |
Awards & Commissions
First Place Sculpture
Purchase Award
|
The Best & The Brightest
2003
Scottsdale, AZ |
2003 |
| First Place Fine
Art |
ArtScape ’02
Baltimore,
MD |
2002 |
| Woman of Distinction 2002 |
Soroptomist International
San
Diego, CA |
2002 |
| Finalist |
Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue,
2000
Northampton, MA |
2000 |
| Best of Show 3-D |
1999 African American National
Arts Festival
Dallas, TX |
1999 |
| Don Diego Sculpture Award &
First Place |
Small Sculpture Division,
1998 International Fine Art Show, Del Mar Fair
Del Mar, CA |
1998 |
| Almas del Mar |
TrizecHahn Centers for University
Towne
Center |
1997 |
| Matthew A. Henson bust |
Private party |
1995 |
| Thurgood Marshall bust |
University of California, San
Diego |
1993 |
| Common Sense Design |
Landscape planting designs |
1976-1979 |
Juried Shows & Exhibitions
| 101 Artists’
Colony |
Encinitas, CA |
2002 |
| National Black Arts Festival |
Atlanta, GA |
1996, 1998, 2000,
2002 |
| Featured Artist – San
Diego Sculptors’ Guild |
San Diego, CA |
2001 |
| Solo Exhibit - UCSD Faculty Club
Gallery |
University of California,
San Diego, CA |
1995, 1999 |
| African American National Arts
Festival |
Dallas, TX |
1999 |
| Pan African Film Festival |
Los Angeles, CA |
1998, 1999 |
| Art Expo |
Philadelphia, PA |
1998 |
| COVA Open Studios |
San Diego, CA |
1998 |
| Sausalito Art Festival |
Sausalito, CA |
1998 |
| Magnolia Festival of the Arts
plus Jazz |
El Cajon, CA |
1998, 2000 |
| Gasparilla Festival of the Arts |
Tampa, FL |
1998 |
| International Fine Art Show |
Del Mar, CA |
1993-95, 1997, 1998,
2003 |
| African American Artists’
Celebration |
Culver City, CA |
1996-98 |
| L.A. Juried Exhibition, William
Grant Still Arts Center |
Los Angeles, CA |
1997 |
| African American Musuem of Fine
Art-Juried Exhibit, Paladion |
San Diego, CA |
1997 |
| The Martin Lawrence Show |
HBO Independent Productions,
FOX Network |
1996 |
| African American Musuem of Fine
Art |
San Diego, CA |
1995, 1996 |
| Celebration of Fine Art |
Del Mar, CA |
1995 |
| Urban League-Cal Tech-Tournament
of Roses Show |
Pasadena, CA |
1995 |
| Art Face to Face, Sponsored by
San Diego Home & Garden Magazine |
San Diego, CA |
1994, 1995 |
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