Artist Statement
Peggy Morley's aesthetic involves the transformation of everyday objects through her unique perception. Working from life, the process of applying paint or wax undertakes an energy directed by the medium melded with artistic decisions on levels of both the conscious and subconscious. This process is both visual and physical as illustrated in the bold brushwork, strong colours and dynamic compositions of her work. This allows her to create a fresh joyful, sense of reality that reflects its source in the natural world but does not strive to replicate it. Her work draws the viewer into sharing her own vision.
MEDIUMS OIL & ENCAUSTIC
Initially working in oil she has been working in encaustic for the last 20 years, but has recently gone back to her original love Oil. Originally used in the preservation of mummies in 100-300 AD, encaustic painting has seen a resurgence in recent years starting with Jasper Johns in the 1950s. The hot beeswax is applied to a rigid wood surface and bonded using heat. The quick drying time of wax, relative malleability of the surface and the depth of pigmentation allows for an exciting and endless exploration of mark making including experimenting with layering, texturing, scraping, incising and colouring. She has recently returned to oil painting and is enjoying the freedom of the medium.
FLORALS
Her florals are inspired by flowers she selects for their vibrant colour and interesting shapes. Not essential to physical survival, the study of flowers can enliven our spiritual selves. Following in a strong tradition of still life painting and influenced by the work of the Impressionists, Morley's work is a passionate, colourful exploration of the beauty and joy of nature and of life.
LANDSCAPES
Morley is drawn to landscape painting as she experiences it - biking, hiking or paddling through the moment. This intimate observation of the land is captured in her studies of landscapes, waterscapes and cloudscapes. Her travels around the world have inspired new perspectives as well as awakened a distinctive observation of the unique Canadian landscape, all of which is reflected in her work.
EDUCATION
R & F Encaustic Seminar, Kingston, New York, 2006
Banff Centre for the Arts, Residency Program, 2001
Honours Bachelor of Fine Art, Queen's University, Kingston 1987
Graphic Arts, Algonquin College, Ottawa 1982
Painting, Drawing & Sculpture, Ottawa School of Fine Art, Ottawa 1977
PUBLICATIONS
Profile Kingston, 2022
Kingston Women Artist Date Book and Calendar
“Art of the Heart, Kingston, a City of Galleries", Patricia Casson Henderson, p 67 Kingston Life, Fall 2007
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Correctional Services Canada, Kingston, Ont.
Imperial Life, Kingston, Ont.
Willow Physicians, Kingston, Ont.
INDIVIDUAL COLLECTORS
Fyllingsdalen, Norway
Ann Arbor, Michigan
New York, NY
Halifax, NS
Toronto, Ont.
Scarborough, Ont.
Mississauga, Ont.
Belleville, Ont.
Napanee, Ont.
Kingston, Ont.
GALLERIES
Gallery Raymond, Kingston
Matilda Swanson Gallery, Clarksburg
Ottawa Gallery of Art, Ottawa
INDIVIDUAL SHOWS
Kingston General Hospital 2021
Gallery Raymond, Kingston 2006, 10, 12
The Studio Gallery, Kingston 2005
Wilson Room, Public Library, Kingston 2004
GROUP SHOWS
Nocturne Show, Napanee 2023-24
Organization of Kingston Women Artists, Kingston 1995-24
Thousand Island Arts Spring Show, Rockport 2013-16
The New Arts Festival, Ottawa 09-10
Kingston Arts Council, Kingston 03-10, Prize winner 09
Kingston Studio Tour, Kingston 2007
Kingston Regional Art Show 2005
Garden Art Show, Kingston 2004
Edward Day Gallery, Kingston 1995
Kingston Women's Art Festival, Kingston 1991-95, 97-98, 02
Napanee Studio Tour, Napanee 1999-2000
The Distillery District Show, Toronto 2004
Toronto Outdoor Show, Toronto 1986, 94, 98, 99, 00, 03
Sesquicentennial, Queen's Quay, Toronto 1992
MEDIUMS OIL & ENCAUSTIC
Initially working in oil she has been working in encaustic for the last 20 years, but has recently gone back to her original love Oil. Originally used in the preservation of mummies in 100-300 AD, encaustic painting has seen a resurgence in recent years starting with Jasper Johns in the 1950s. The hot beeswax is applied to a rigid wood surface and bonded using heat. The quick drying time of wax, relative malleability of the surface and the depth of pigmentation allows for an exciting and endless exploration of mark making including experimenting with layering, texturing, scraping, incising and colouring. She has recently returned to oil painting and is enjoying the freedom of the medium.
FLORALS
Her florals are inspired by flowers she selects for their vibrant colour and interesting shapes. Not essential to physical survival, the study of flowers can enliven our spiritual selves. Following in a strong tradition of still life painting and influenced by the work of the Impressionists, Morley's work is a passionate, colourful exploration of the beauty and joy of nature and of life.
LANDSCAPES
Morley is drawn to landscape painting as she experiences it - biking, hiking or paddling through the moment. This intimate observation of the land is captured in her studies of landscapes, waterscapes and cloudscapes. Her travels around the world have inspired new perspectives as well as awakened a distinctive observation of the unique Canadian landscape, all of which is reflected in her work.
EDUCATION
R & F Encaustic Seminar, Kingston, New York, 2006
Banff Centre for the Arts, Residency Program, 2001
Honours Bachelor of Fine Art, Queen's University, Kingston 1987
Graphic Arts, Algonquin College, Ottawa 1982
Painting, Drawing & Sculpture, Ottawa School of Fine Art, Ottawa 1977
PUBLICATIONS
Profile Kingston, 2022
Kingston Women Artist Date Book and Calendar
“Art of the Heart, Kingston, a City of Galleries", Patricia Casson Henderson, p 67 Kingston Life, Fall 2007
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
Correctional Services Canada, Kingston, Ont.
Imperial Life, Kingston, Ont.
Willow Physicians, Kingston, Ont.
INDIVIDUAL COLLECTORS
Fyllingsdalen, Norway
Ann Arbor, Michigan
New York, NY
Halifax, NS
Toronto, Ont.
Scarborough, Ont.
Mississauga, Ont.
Belleville, Ont.
Napanee, Ont.
Kingston, Ont.
GALLERIES
Gallery Raymond, Kingston
Matilda Swanson Gallery, Clarksburg
Ottawa Gallery of Art, Ottawa
INDIVIDUAL SHOWS
Kingston General Hospital 2021
Gallery Raymond, Kingston 2006, 10, 12
The Studio Gallery, Kingston 2005
Wilson Room, Public Library, Kingston 2004
GROUP SHOWS
Nocturne Show, Napanee 2023-24
Organization of Kingston Women Artists, Kingston 1995-24
Thousand Island Arts Spring Show, Rockport 2013-16
The New Arts Festival, Ottawa 09-10
Kingston Arts Council, Kingston 03-10, Prize winner 09
Kingston Studio Tour, Kingston 2007
Kingston Regional Art Show 2005
Garden Art Show, Kingston 2004
Edward Day Gallery, Kingston 1995
Kingston Women's Art Festival, Kingston 1991-95, 97-98, 02
Napanee Studio Tour, Napanee 1999-2000
The Distillery District Show, Toronto 2004
Toronto Outdoor Show, Toronto 1986, 94, 98, 99, 00, 03
Sesquicentennial, Queen's Quay, Toronto 1992
Contact peggym@peggymorley.com