Galleries Contact BiographyPublic Works Exhibitions Portfolio Home


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


 

Site designed and hosted by Deep Mercury Web Services.