Susan S. Morris Watercolors
About the Artist
"Her subjects turn to those rapidly vanishing country sights
that bring a nostalgic feeling of simpler times."
Artist Bio / Artist's Statement
Susan was born and raised in small towns in central Utah and so she's just a country kid at heart. She focuses on finding beauty in the ordinary . . even things which have been cast aside or abandoned. A close up look at old, rusty farm equipment or automobiles of days gone by are the subjects of much of her work.
Likewise, she finds enjoyment in the common flowers and plants, which usually don't get noticed, much less respect. 'Those which you might see going down a quiet country lane. Susan wants to tell their stories. She feels much of our society is too concerned with expecting things to be perfect and brand-spankin'-new in order to be of value. She feels there is value in everything . . . even if it is old and rusty, or plain and simple. She presents a nostalgic perspective on the past as she takes items that are no longer commonplace and tells their story.
Though Susan has worked with a wide variety of materials, her favorite is watercolor. Its challenge and diversity fascinate her. She is drawn to the shapes of things; wheels, gears, pulleys, shadows and reflections, as they become important elements of the whole design. She has a strong sense of compositions and design, uses rich, bold color, dramatic lighting, and infuses the visual effects of texture in her art.
Besides its creation, Susan has chosen to share her love of art by teaching and helping students of all ages gain confidence and skills. In addition to teaching community education classes for over twenty-five years, she has been a guest presenter from elementary school groups, to summer camps for teens, to adult workshops. She has been a juror for many exhibits of all types of art in Southern Arizona. She is a popular teacher at Green Valley Recreation, and has been a full time faculty member of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum - Art Institute since 2010.
Susan has a wonderful, husband who is her number one support in this second career, three children, twelve grand-children, and lives in the Tucson, Arizona area.
Selected List of Juried Shows / Exhibits & Awards
2025 Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
2024 Art Institute Faculty Exhibit, ASDM, AZ
2020 Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Show, Idaho
Art Institute Faculty Exhibit, ASDM, AZ
2019 Nature Illustration Portfolio added as part of the permanent Collection at the ASDM Art Institute
Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Show, CA
SAWG Signature Show, AZ
2018 SAWG Fiesta Sonora West, AZ
Used for Front Cover of Art Institute Fall Catalog
SAWG Signature Show, AZ
2017 National Watercolor Society Members Exhibit, CA (Spring)
SAWG Annual Exhibit, AZ
Honorable Mention
2016 SACCA Waddell & Reed Exhibit , AZ Arizona Arts Supply Annual Competition "Tools of the Trade"
Second Place
Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
SAWG Fiesta Sonora Show, AZ
Best of Show
2015 Tubac Center of the Arts Members Juried Show, AZ Award of Merit SAWG Signature Show, AZ
Honorable Mention
2015 The Artist's Magazine Annual Competition finalist
Published in the December Issue of The Artist Magazine
National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit, CA (Spring)
& NWS Traveling Exhibit across the United States
SAWG Signature Show, AZ Peoples Choice Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Show, TX Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
SAWG Sonora Fiesta, AZ
2014 National Watercolor Society Annual International Exhibit, CA (Fall) Combined Donor Award National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit, CA (Spring) Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Show, AZ SAWG Signature Show, AZ Honorable Mention SAWG Annual Show, AZ Honorable Mention
Tubac Center of the Arts Members Juried Show, AZ SAWG Sonora Fiesta Show, AZ Honorable Mention
2013 Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
Tubac Center of the Arts Members Juried Show, AZ
SAWG Signature Member Show, AZ
Award of Excellence
SAWG Fiesta Sonora, AZ
Honorable Mention
2012 Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
Image was used for Postcard Advertisement of Show
SAWG Fiesta Sonora, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, AZ
Image was used for all materials for the Advertisement of Show
Tubac Center of the Arts Members Juried Show, Tubac, AZ
2011 SAWG Fiesta Sonora, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, AZ
Best of Show Award
People's Choice Award
Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Show, NM
Arizona Aqueous, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
Award of Excellence
SAWG Signature Member Show, AZ
People's Choice Award
2010 SAWG Fiesta Sonora, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, AZ
Award of Excellence
SAWG Experimental & Innovative Show, AZ
Award of Merit
2009 SAWG Fiesta Sonora, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, AZ
Award of Excellence
Master Artist - Master Teacher, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
Award of Excellence
Arizona Edges, Tubac Center of the Arts, AZ
2007 Springville, Museum of Art, Religions Show, UT
Showing Off Utah Artists, UT
Honorable Mention
Utah Valley Artists Guild Fall Show, UT
Second Place
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum - Wildlife Show, UT
Springville, Museum of Art - Spring Salon, UT
Utah Valley Artist Guild Spring Show, UT
Honorable Mention
2006 Solo Exhibit "Rust & Roses", UT
Utah Valley Artist Guild Fall Show, UT
First Place
Second Place
Showing Off Utah, UT
Honorable Mention
Springville Museum of Art - Spring Salon, UT
Utah Valley Artist Guild Spring Show, UT
Third Place
Honorable Mention
2005 Showing Off Utah, UT
Honorable Mention
Utah Valley Artist Guild Fall Show, UT
Second Place
Honorable Mention
Education
Bachelors of Arts Degree, 2004 Brigham Young University, Utah - Painting and Drawing
Studied Visual Arts & Communications, 2002-03 Utah Valley University, Utah
Associate of Science Degree, 1980 Snow College, Utah - Elementary Education
ASDM- Art Institute Nature Illustration Certificate December 2019
Painting workshops with Nationally / Internationally - known painters
Memberships
NWS National Watercolor Society - Signature Member
SAWG Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild - Saguaro Fellow (Master Level)
Past Board Member - WFWS Delegate
WFWS Western Federation of Watercolor Societies - Signature Member
Project Manager WFWS 2018
ISSA International Scratchboard Society Artists Active Member (Juried Member)
Susan S. Morris
Tucson, Arizona Area
susan@susanmorrisgallery.com
Tucson, Arizona Area
susan@susanmorrisgallery.com