Susan Morris

     Susan S. Morris is relatively new to the art scene, though she has turned her hand to it as a hobby all her life. But that hasn’t stopped her from catching up. As her children were leaving the nest for college, careers and lives of their own, she took the opportunity to return to school and finish her Bachelors Degree. She feasted in that rich season which left her with a healthy appetite to continue that learning process, after studying at UVSC and graduating with her bachelors degree in art from BYU in Dec. 2004.
      “It’s almost like having a second life,” she states. Her “first life” was as a young mother, raising a family, and running her own leather tailoring business. This “second life” has offered her the freedom and support to pursue the life of an artist.
      She was born in a small town in central Utah and lived in the state all her life. Though she lived in the Salt Lake valley for more than twenty years, she’s just a country kid at heart and lives in a small town once again – surrounded by her subject matter. Her art subjects are turning more and more to those common country sights that bring a nostalgic feeling of simpler times.
      Though Susan has worked with a wide variety of art materials, her favorite medium is watercolor. Its challenge and diversity fascinate her, and she cranks the color up. No wimpy water colors here! She focuses on finding beauty in the ordinary . . . things we would not usually consider an art subject. A close up look at old rusty farm equipment or industrial machines of days gone by is the subject matter of much of her work. Likewise she finds enjoyment in the common flowers and plants, which usually don’t get noticed, much less, attention or respect. She feels there is value in everything . . . even if it is old and rusty, or plain and simple. She has a strong sense of composition and design and loves the effects of unusual lighting, which creates ordinary things into a work of art. The effects of light on glass and the shapes of shadows also fascinate her. Because of those fleeting shadows, she works from photographs and so she is always on the lookout and ready to take a snapshot of her next subject.
      Susan has chosen to share her love of art by teaching and helping others gain self confidence and skills. She guest lectures regularly at BYU, amongst other places, and has been an inspirational teacher with an objective eye as she has taught portraiture, watercolor and basic drawing classes in the Salt Lake valley for over10 years. She also teaches watercolor workshops regularly.
      Susan hopes you enjoy her art. In addition, it is her desire that you see things a little differently when you leave . . . taking a closer look, and discovering beauty in unexpected places.

Utah Valley Artist's Guild Summer Show Aug 2007
America's Freedom Festival 2007 Fine Art Exhibit - Coleman Studios, Provo Arts Council.Artist’s Magazine 2007 Competition May 2007
      - Juried In
Utah County’s Spring Show 2007 May 2007
Springville Museum of Art Spring Salon May - June 2007
Utah Valley Artist Guild Spring Salon March 2007
      - Honorable Mention
Two man exhibit: “Rust & Roses” at Utah County Art Gallery Dec. 2006
Utah Valley Artist Guild Fall Salon Sept - Oct 2006
      - First Place & Second Place
Artist’s Magazine 2006 Competition May 2006
Utah County’s “Showing Off Utah” May 2006
      - Honorable Mention
Springville Museum of Art Spring Salon April - June 2006
      - Juried In
Utah Valley Artist Guild Spring Salon February 2006
      - Third Place & Honorable Mention
Utah County’s “Showing Off Utah” November 2006
      - Honorable Mention
Utah Valley Artist Guild Fall Salon October 2005
      - Second Place & Honorable Mention

Studio:
521 West 1050 South
Salem, Utah
(801) 423-6410
e-mail: susans@networld.com