Those of you who have visited our Healdsburg tasting room will know that we try to showcase the art of local artists on our tasting room walls. For the past few weeks and through October 9, 2014, we have been showing the unique etching collages by Laura Morton, a near-local artist. In case you cannot make it to our tasting room by October 9 (or to persuade you to come to our tasting room by that date), we thought we would post Laura’s bio and a few images below. Cheers!
“Water and Light”
“Blue Midnight”
About Laura Morton:
Laura Morton was born and raised in Omaha, and spent more than twenty years living in the Midwest. She studied at the Colorado College, Doane College, Creighton University, the University of Nebraska, Joslyn Art Museum, and the University of Wisconsin, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Art through the School of Education.
Morton’s love of nature and art moved her into the varied mediums of drawing, printmaking, photography, watercolor, metalworking and enameling, batik, embroidery and quilting, etched and stained glass, and ceramics. She began showing, receiving acclaim and awards, and selling her work while still a student.
In 1980 the artist moved to California where she and a partner opened Cirrus Gallery in Mill Valley. Showing their own work and that of many fine Bay Area artists, the two women built a highly respected and well-loved gallery.
In late 1983, then sole proprietor, Morton was injured in an auto accident. She was forced to close the gallery, and spent a year recuperating. Art became part of the recovery process. Along with renewed enthusiasm for doing her own work, a bolder style emerged.
The artist began teaching art to children in 1985 privately, through public schools, Parent-Teacher Associations, the Gifted-Talented Program, County Arts programs and recreation centers. She continues to enjoy teaching children and adults, and does so as her schedule allows.
Morton works now on etchings, etching collages, monotypes, acrylics, sculpture and jewelry. Her etchings range from miniature to large; from delicate and detailed to bold and powerful. Her monotypes and acrylics are colorful and painterly, strong and upbeat. Her etching collages include abstracted recognizable images as well as totally non-objective ones. Jewelry making is an ongoing fascination; there are limited edition earrings available. Each is handmade and unique. Metal sculpture is a recent joy for the artist. There are objective and non objective works, most done in steel.
Morton has exhibited and sold her work privately and through shows and galleries in Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Her works are available for purchase; she will also consider commissioned pieces. The artist can be reached at her studio home.
LauraMortonArt.com
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