Stafford —
Animals depicted in work of local artist
An exhibit of the artwork of Pat Morris will be on display for the month of January at the Stafford Public Library. Morris is a wildlife artist who specializes in pet portraits of horses, dogs and cats, and is a resident of Stafford Springs.
Click the thumbnails above to see the full size pictures.
Describing her art as an invitation into her world and experiences, as well as a tribute to the domestic animals that travel with us, the self-taught artist’s depiction of animals has patrons and staff at the library in awe.
“It’s beautiful,” said Program Coordinator Debbie Galotto. “Every time I walk by the display case, they just come out at me. I’m amazed at the talent every time I walk by.”
Staff member Nancy Philips added, “It’s just wonderful.”
Galotto said the library has been open for seven and a half years now, and residents of town are routinely invited to display their artwork or collections in the library’s display cases. This is the second time that art by Morris has been on display at the library, and patrons have enjoyed her work immensely both times.
Morris began her art career in the 1970s and focused mainly on pet portraiture . “By 1980, I was also painting wildlife , in particular the wolves that I had come to know in my association with a wolf ambassador program here in Connecticut . I have continued through the years to enjoy the challenge of the depiction of animals, both wild and domestic , in my artwork,” said Morris on her Web site, www.patmorrisartist.com.
Her work has been exhibited in the last 25 years in art shows throughout Connecticut and Pennsylvania and can be found in exhibits at dog shows, veterinarian offices, kennels, Audubon Society centers and libraries throughout the Northeast, as well as in private collections throughout the United States and Canada.
“Most recently, I have shown in juried art shows in Connecticut at the Glastonbury Audubon Center, Sharon Audubon Center, Piedmont Art Show in Somers, Enfield 4th of July Town Celebration, Mansfield Festival on the Green and the TVAA Art Show at the King Museum in Suffield,” she added.
Having her work - which is primarily in pastel and occasionally in pencil, colored pencil or acrylic paint - on display at the library is gratifying for Morris. She explained, “Having it in public and to get people’s reaction to it is the wonderful part about it. I tend to be in my studio like a hermit, so to get out around people is nice. It boosts my motivation.”
Her favorite work on display is Winter’s Flight. “I always wanted to paint that stone wall [in Vermont.] I used reference photos to get proportions right for the fox in that picture,” she said.
The library is located at 10 Levinthal Run, in Stafford Springs. The hours are Monday-Thursday 10 - a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The library will be closed on Jan. 21.