Goodbye…from this place.

Me painting plein air in Tuscany. (photo by Megan Shelley Welch)

Well, this has been a long time coming…alas, the day is finally here–I am really moving! This past year has been a time of changes for me..such is the cycle of life. Yes?

You may remember about a year ago I started working totally and simply under my name Morri. Most of you know I believe in connections and confirmations, and that remains true. I did not know when this all unfolded that the name is connected to Max H. Morrison, my beloved father! It means SO much more to me now, because we lost him on October 24, 2010, to cancer. I plan to do a post in his honor and about the name on my new blog soon. Needless to say, cancer is now added to my list of  causes/charities!

On the subject of art and my work…I had the solo show,”Secrets” on Oct 5. The evening was more than I hoped for, but most important it was great fun. Now I will be preparing for my next solo show entitled “Pieces, of Life” on April 15, 2011. It will be at the Thrasher Horne Center for the Arts (Lee Adams Florida Artists Gallery) . Some of the pieces we talked about on here now “live” with others. I finished commissioned work and have more to do…so I cannot complain, especially in our current economy.

Back to moving…

..this is where I have been in the tech world, as of late. (Some of our blogging friends are there too..so come join us!)

*Facebook: My Morri art page (where I will be hanging out the most of the time on facebook)

*Twitter: MorriArt (just learning about this world)

* My Youtube:Realms of Morri

**Note about youtube ~ I am embarrassed to say, I’ve had  this youtube station for a while now…just never got around to “chatting” on there. It is coming though. I think I will actually like “talking” better than typing. Anyway, since I have it on here now..I will have to do it. lol!

So unless something unforeseen happens, this will be my last post on gypsy-heart. I confess, I am a little sad about it…so boo hoo. I will be back here doing some housekeeping, as I need to tidy up a bit. I’ll be removing blog links in my side margin that go to no where, or that I lost touch with long ago. I’ll leave most of the others..we have a history here you and I. So if we don’t see each other on Imagined, facebook, twitter, or youtube, (whew..that is a lot of places!!), maybe our paths will cross again somewhere else in cyberspace or real life. You just never know since things are quickly changing and moving forward…

In the meantime..

Good and creative energies to all that come here..past or present!

Love, light, and laughter,

~morri

(oka..once known as..gypsy-he♥rt)

The giclee’ print drawing, water lilies, and more

Water Lilies II @Morri

36″ x 36″ acrylic wrapped/canvas (click on image to enlarge)

~

The slender water-lily
Peeps dreamingly out of the lake;
The moon, oppress’d with love’s sorrow,
Looks tenderly down for her sake.
~Heinrich

Hello all how are things in your worlds? I hope those of you in the US had a nice holiday weekend! I will try to make this another brief post.

First, I wanted to tell you the “Visiting Souls” reached a 100,00+ before the full moon! So as promised a name was selected and Bo Mackison will be receiving  a giclee’ print from me. Bo  is a wonderful photographer and writer. Her blog is seededearth and she is on facebook. After contacting Bo by email..I am very happy that it is to go to her. I feel it was meant to be her name, and the reasons go far beyond my little drawing. Life and all the connections are so interesting and wonderful when you stop and really think about it. We will be discussing which print as I plan to give her some choices..so I will let you know what she decides.

Let’s see what else is going on..well, I have been painting a lot for the upcoming solo shows and for some show submissions. I also finished a commissioned piece for a new business. I’ll tell you about that in my next post. Other than painting and gardening I’ve been working on the 1880 house. Needless to say, enjoying the beginning of summer here..to name a few things..magnolias, gardenia, zinnias, roses, morning glories, moonflowers, etc! Of course summer fruits and vegetables are appearing on my table. I even have a confession to make..I bought my first watermelon for this season on Friday. I only have a tiny bit left and I ate every bite save one small bowl I shared!  It was not a huge watermelon nor was it a small one either. ha, ha

Well, I best tell you about the Water Lilies II painting and send this out into the internet world! First, I must say I found this quote so beautiful..words expressing what I attempted to paint.  This is another piece that was in the spring show. I live in a world surrounded by water so water lilies are a familiar sight for me. I said before that I find the messiness of them endearing..a good metaphor for my life.

I have been chatting with some of you via email and on facebook. I even managed to visit a couple of blogs. I may try to make it a goal to visit one or two in the evening..just a quick peek into your lives and a hello if nothing else. I wish I did not require sleep or had five or six clones of me ..so “we” could do all we need and wish to do. I would even step aside letting one of “them” be the team leader! Don’t think that I have forgotten you..I still see your words in my mind…some of us were blogging friends for quite a spell and are still in touch here and on facebook. I still plan to do youtube I’ve had my morritime station for a few months now..I just need to do it ..maybe this weekend. Like I said before..I think I can run my mouth better than type. ha!

Well I leave you now, for a spell. I hope you are living like Heinrich’s water-lily description..

I hope you live dreamingly,

~Morri aka gypsy-he♥rt

To inquire about Water Lilies II orginal or prints  or with any questions:

Feel free to email me at morrime@gmail.com or call West Shore Studios 904-269-1999

or contact:

Deb at The Village Gallery web site,  email or 904-264-7151

or

Tommy at River City Art & Frame  email or 904-647-7683

Sunflowers, life, meltdowns, business, and..

Sunflowers in a Jar © Morri

24″x 32″ acrylic/wrapped canvas (purchase info below)

(click on image to enlarge)

~

I appreciate flower shop bouquets,

but I find the most magic in fresh flowers from a garden..

mine or otherwise.

..and somehow

an old glass jar only adds to the magic.

~morri

~

Hello all..it has been far to long since I’ve been on here. I hope all is well in your worlds. Much going on in life..yours and mine, so I am going to try to keep this brief.

Well, summer is here, and I count sunflowers among my favorite summer flowers. Besides the symbolism of them, I love how big and bold they are..they demand attention in the garden like sun and moon do in the sky! Small ones are growing in my garden now, and each morning I look to see what changes came in the night. Hot summer days, sunflowers, and old glass jars go together…at least they do in my world. So I hope I managed to capture a little of the magic in this piece!

As for life..as of late, guru dogs (Ringo and Amber), and I have been in the studio a lot! Now don’t get me wrong I love being there, and so do they..but I am falling behind on other things. I have to prepare for those solo shows though, and I made a vow not to procrastinate this time!  Did I tell you..about 60 pieces total..and did I tell you I had an anxiety attack-middle of the night meltdown about it????  I did, but I got a grip on myself..as I always seem to do. So next time I write I’ll run the show titles by you..and I should have the dates confirmed by then.

I am getting ready to make some business changes too…yes, AGAIN! I keep thinking an art business manager, god, or goddess will appear in my life so I can focus only on painting and such. So far it hasn’t happened though I continue to hope. I have to believe when the time is right he/she/they will appear. At least, that has been such the case in my life thus far. Where are you magic business person..I am out here waiting for you!! Actually, ”they” may have already appeared! :)

On another subject..I have not forgotten the print drawing (see “Appreciations post”)…the full moon is fast approaching. I have a special surprise in mind because our spring show went very well..and I am thankful! Also, there is something about this sunflower piece, and if someone figures it out there is a gift for them..separate from the drawing!

Well, I said I would be brief..so I leave you now, but only for a short spell this time. See you here and on my facebook pages (my facebook art page link is in the right margin)..on the full moon to announce the name drawn. Until then..

Look for me in the face of a flower..you’ll find me there.

Good and creative energies to all!

~Morri aka gypsy-he♥rt

Ps A new small painting and a VERY short post at my other blog Little pieces of work.  Also, I believe I am almost ready to start my youtube chats. My station will be morritime. I think it will be fun and hopefully I can do it on a regular basis..I can damn sure talk faster than typing and creating blog posts…agreed? I’ll let you know when..I may chicken out. hee, hee

~

morriart.com

Appreciations!

Wisteria IV © Morri

24″ x 32″ acrylic/wrapped canvas

(click on image to enlarge)

~

Spring has returned…

the earth

is like a child

that knows poems.

~Rainer M. Rilke
~

Spring has returned..and once again, I feel like a child!  I hope all of you are experiencing your spring now too!

I painted Wisteria IV for the show I told you about in my last post, Water and Woods, again. It was painted in anticipation of spring and what “she” brings…such as wisteria blooms!  Well, the painting is hanging in the gallery and my wisteria is NOW blooming..and it is exquisite! Of course, a painting can not even come close to such real beauty…so MY anticipation is now APPRECIATION!

My time is limited today..so this will be brief. The show went very well..gorgeous weather and we had a good crowd! Some of my pieces were “adopted” by wonderful people and some more commissioned work. Needless to say, that made me happy! I learned a LOT from the experience..what to do and what NOT to do! :O

I recently found out about my solo shows..one is to be in the fall (October) and the other, next spring. Those are perfect times for me! Much, much more to tell you about those soon! I also want to tell you how “Morri” came to be, and why I will keep that name forever now!  (Some of you know I believe in connections..well, Morri is a connection to my father).

**Note: Before I go I want to tell you about a drawing. I am nearing 100,000 visitors on here, and for a long time I’ve wanted to show my appreciation for all of you. So I am going to have a drawing for an appreciation gift. Leave me a note here and your name will go in, and if you join me (or are already there) on my Morri facebook art page (the link is also in the right margin), and my friends facebook page..it will go in three times.  I will give away a fineart photoprint or a set of art note cards/envelopes. I am SO pleased with the new fineartphoto prints..my printer is amazing!  (More info about the choice soon). I think I will start doing this every few months or so…this time I will select this winner on May 27 (full moon :).

Well,  I need to hush for now. I look forward to hearing from you.

Good and creative energies to all,

A child in spring,

~gypsy-he♥rt /Morri

morriart.com

Water and Woods, again..

Water and Woods, again © Morri

acrylic on wrapped canvas approx 11″ x 17″ (click on image to enlarge)

~

No matter

how long

winter..

spring

is sure

to follow.

~Proverb

Did I select this simple, yet promising, proverb to remind myself that spring IS to come?  Well, it has been an unseasonably cold winter here. Even the old timers are saying they do not remember such a winter as this in Florida.

So yes, yes, YES, I am longing for spring and summer as I imagine most of you are too!

I hope you have managed to stay warm and productive. Beyond the normal things of life (both good and worrisome) and despite the cold…I’ve been painting and painting. Works in process for upcoming shows..one is on March 20 (first day of spring!!).  I have been working on new pieces (about eight so far), finishing up some, and revisiting others. Various sizes but all my subjects and palettes are of spring and summer..lots of green !  I guess you could say I have been stepping into spring..on the canvas and within the paint.

As you can see this is not a large piece and another of my water and woods scenes.  I am quite familiar with places as this, and soon I will be wandering  in such again. I do not think this is quite finished as I am not totally happy with it, but it is close. I apologize for the quality of the image..not sure why I could not capture it better. Maybe because it is unfinished. :)

Well, I know this is short and lacking in content, but ’tis all time allows me now. I also know I haven’t answered some of you on my last post, and I am behind on emails again…you are all most kind!  I plan to catch up soon. We won’t even talk about how far behind I am on visiting blogs! :O I have enjoyed chatting with some of you on facebook..that format suits me.. you can step in and out quickly. As of late, I seem to need that, and I can’t blame it all on busyness. Sometimes life resembles winter, and you simply want to be quieter..mind and mouth in dormancy for a spell. Allowing  the energies to stir quietly within, until it the time is right. Like spring following winter….yes?

Good and creative energies to you,

~gypsy-he♥rt (aka Morri)

Ps I’ll tell you more about the March 20 show soon. It is with Gail, my friend, a pottery artist..I love her work!  I’ll also tell you about two solo shows ..I am not sure of the dates of those yet..possibly one this fall and the other in spring of 2011. Some commissioned work in the mix too..so at least I’ll have something to talk about! ta, ta for now.

*Note: I don’t know what happened on here with WordPress..I could not separate my paragraphs and I had other issues. ‘Tis frustrating to say the least!

~

susanmorrisonsims.com

Looking back, at me.

Looking back, at me. © Morri, Susan Morrison Sims

~

 Painting palettes contain

the artist’s energy

and

sometimes…

an energy,

of

their own.

~

I often allow a palette to completely dry before removing it with the palette knife. I love to see how the remaining ribbons of colors weave in and out..forming a creation, of their own. Sometimes I find them even more interesting than the original paintings. Ha!  If I find them particularly interesting I’ll shoot it with my digital. Once in a while I see things that really surprise me…such was the case with this image.

Those of you that have a history with me know I often have faces and creatures appear in my work. You may remember the Yellow Moon Series..it’s on this page on my art web site: mixed media.

Anyway, I took a shot of this a palette and sometime later I viewed it to see some interesting things, including this face..looking back, at me.

Am I mad..or do you see it too?

 Hmmm…maybe ’tis simply my own imagination staring back at me. :)  

Well, this will be brief today. There is much going on in my world (including some upcoming shows)!  As usual, my mind is filled with wild and imaginative energies..even more so, as of late. More about Morri and how that came to be, in time.  

 I hope all is good in your worlds! I still enjoy hearing from you on here, emails, and facebook!  I’ll be back soon.

Good and creative energies to you,

~gypsy-he♥rt (aka Morri)

Ps Here is the total image I shot (click on it to enlarge). I see another series in the making..of its’ own.  (Hint: look at the upper middle)

 Faces within the palette © Morri, Susan Morrison Sims

~ 

 

susanmorrisonsims.com

Emptiness … Stillness

 Empty Bowl and Pomegranate ©Susan Morrison Sims (Morri)

acrylic on canvas (click on image to enlarge)

~

Empty yourself of everything

let your mind

become

still.

The ten thousand things

rise and fall

while the Self watches their return.

They grow and flourish

and then

return to the source.

~Lao Tzu

~

I have always found myself  busy..going..doing..learning all I possibly can..from birth, I am told.  I thought otherwise was slacking or missing out. Seems, the mind fools us into thinking such. 

Recently, something happened in my life that made me rethink my attitude..my OVER thinking.aka WORRYING. This does not mean I plan to meditate under a tree 24/7.  No I will continue to go and do…I mean, what do you expect from someone with moderate ADD.  ha!  I realized that somehow I lost my way in all the busyness. So I will allow time for meditation and stillness and to just be.   

Which reminds me. I said in 2010 I was going to return to posting on a regular basis, and saying less allows for that. So I leave you with Lao Tzu’s sage words, and the painting (with just a few words of explanation)….

Symbolism, as always…

Pomegranate: a symbol of  beliefs and desires, life and death, rebirth and eternal life, abundance and prosperity,…

Unlocked box: of secrets, visions, and dreams.

Music always in the background.

Empty bowl..from clay, imperfect  with scars of time and place.   

All connected by threads, of cloth.

As usual, I hope you see something in there that stirs an emotion or two..even brushstrokes can tell a story..yes?

Remember to live, love, and laugh big..and find stillness within all the busyness.

This is my prayer /wish / desire… 

Empty me out

to   

fill me

 with spirit and light..

for

my heart

is open

like a star filled night.

~Morri

~

~gypsy-he♥rt (aka Morri)

** Ps There is a story behind “Morri.“  It is one, of heart..and I promise to tell you, in time.   

 

susanmorrisonsims.com

Moving Energies

Moving Energies ©Susan Morrison Sims (Morri)

(click on the image to enlarge)

~

The more you lose yourself

in something bigger than yourself,

the more energy

you will have!

~Norman Vincent Peal

~

…and so it is 2010, and I am glad. We have stepped into a new year. A new decade, mind you! Goodbye 2009, girl..I was ready for you to go! 

I have been thinking a lot about this new year, this new decade. I did not list any new years resolutions, because I tend to make new resolutions every day…sometimes by the hour or minute. :)  

Anyway, I know one thing I am going to do–I am returning to the blogging world. In fact, I have been exploring the perimeters of it. I’ve come to realize there are MANY things I love, but two that are very high on my list are painting and interacting with people. I call myself a hermit artist (and I am), but I do love people too..so I think I’ve come up with the prefect solution to combine both. I’m very excited about it, and I’ll tell you more very soon! 

I am putting other things in place too, including on this blog. So I will be doing some housekeeping on here..like updating my blog roll. Deciding what to do with the other blog I started, and some business decisions.

Well, I need to stop talking about it and get back to doing it..so I will not linger any longer this morning. I’ll leave you with this…

Last year was one of many changes. It was much like this painting. Often it felt dark and yet the light was there, only quietly so. It was also a time of releasing and letting go. Again, much like this unfinished painting, which is no more…it only dwells in my heart and memory now.  

I thought Norman Vincent Peal’s timeless and sage words a good fit too. I feel those  energies pulling me into something far bigger, and I am ready…oh SO READY!

Happy New Year..Happy New Decade!!

in love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt (aka Morri)

 

susanmorrisonsims.com

Beginning…fresh and new.

Florida Paths I & II ©Susan Morrison Sims (Morri) 

16″ x 20″ acrylic /canvas (click on image to enlarge)

~

Tomorrow

to fresh woods,

and

pastures new. 

~John Milton

~

I love this quote…so symbolic of life. How timely as we stand on the edge of a new year!  Are you ready? I am not only ready, I am eager to begin fresh and new in 2010 ! I am not sure why or even what my expectations are, but I have never been one to stand still for very long. I already know I’ll be busy as I have two solo shows, and I committed to at least one new piece every four to six weeks to a gallery. Alas, busy for me is a very good thing, because this gypsy heart of mine grows restless. :)   

Speaking  of gypsy-heart…I don’t know where this blog “gypsy-heart, I am” fits in now. I may start posting regularly here again. Though for some crazy reason, I recently created another blog, little pieces of work, on blogger. com. It is brand new, and I have as yet to post any new work. My idea is to post small pieces of work there (11″x 14″ and under), and keep it brief and only about art..not about my crazy life.   I may find myself talking and sharing with just me, myself, and I. hee, hee Maybe I’ll post here–and there. Probably not a good idea since I failed at keeping this one up. :O  I really don’t know what possessed me to create another blog..I have heard that you have a little more freedom on blogger. I tend to follow my heart and allow things to unfold, so I’ll give it a little time and maybe I will understand the reason.    

Anyway, about these two paintings. They are the first pieces in a series I plan to do, and they are hanging in a local gallery now. They were painted from photos that my kind friend, Kevin Songer, allowed me to use as a source. Here are the two side by side as one 16″ x 40″ piece: 

 

This is a typical scene of some of our rural areas in Florida that I SO love.  The flowers were at their finest when the photos were shot some weeks back. Alas, even now on the less traveled roads, they are still to be found..along with some beautiful purple wild flowers. Ah yes, yellow and purple…nature does not need us to tell her the complimentary colors does she? 

Well, I think I have rambled on enough. I do hope all of you have been well and happy. I  plan to start making the rounds. Instead of being overwhelmed about how far behind I am I’ll simply try to visit one or two a day. I seriously doubt my heart would allow me to close this site. Besides there is too much history here now..yours and mine. Just in case I don’t make it back soon..I am wishing all of you Happy Holidays and a very HAPPY NEW…may we all move on to

fresh woods

and

pastures new! 

in love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt /Morri

Ps I am still on facebook. Again, I must confess I enjoy it very much. It is a very quick and easy way to stay in touch  with friends and family, and events..local and far beyond. ’Tis a nice positive circle of energy there..so do think about joining us!     

susanmorrisonsims.com

Completing the circle..of love.

After Rain I © Morri

(SOLD) prints available

~

In helping others,

we shall help ourselves,

for whatever good we give out

completes the circle

and

comes back to us.

~Flora Edwards

Well, it seems fall is upon us, and I am happy to see it come. It also seems to be a time of charities. I think I told you before that I had to select a few charities, as I can’t possibly donate to all of them. In the past, it has been charities for abused women/children and animal shelters (see my note below). During the year, I usually try to add in one or two other things that touch my heart,

and so…

Recently, a new friend told my husband and me about a charity at his church. They give food to families in need and with the economical situation, they’ve had a VERY large increase of people in need. I am not into organized religion, but what my friend told us touched my heart. So at the very last minute I decided to donate something for their spaghetti dinner and silent auction. I donated an “After Rain I“ giclee’ print. Some of you may remember the “Mystery of the Woods” post I wrote about the painting. (the original sold and hangs in Canada now).

I usually donate things without attending the event, but for some reason I wanted to attend this one. So last Saturday we changed our normal routine and traveled to a little “one stoplight” town for a $7 spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. I admit, as we drove south I wondered why I hadn’t simply donated the print as I find it uncomfortable being there during the bidding.  Alas, only our friend and his wife knew the print was mine..so it was to be a true silent auction for me, and I liked it that way.

As we drove through the little town it was obvious it was not a place of great material wealth. Yet, when we parked and entered the event  I saw lots and lots of local people helping..volunteers all of them…all ages, from old to young and from all walks of life.

What I saw was wealth beyond material things in that little town.

I saw wealth, of heart.

The spaghetti line was long and continued to be so for hours!  The meal was simple but quite good..they even had cupcakes for desert!! We sat across the table from three delightful senior citizens..more new friends! I was happy that the print sold for a very good amount (three people bidding against each other), and I came home with an object I can use to hang things on the wall in one of the studios. Though I felt a little guilty about it..I was bidding against another person. eh, eh All for a good cause though…right?

So not only did we leave our hermit world and attend..we stayed until the end, and we had a divine time! We came home filled up..I don’t mean just with spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, and cup cakes. Though I confess, I ate two chocolate cupcakes!!

No, I mean our hearts were full. This is why I will always try to help in some way or another. I also have another reason, I have a debt to pay…

Some years ago, as a single mother, I desperately needed help with food for my little four year old daughter and me. I did receive help. Some ordinary people came to our rescue..and they did so, more than once.

So…

I’ve seen and met angels

wearing the disguise of ordinary people

living ordinary lives.

~Tracy Chapman

I’ll never forget those ordinary people..those angels!

Though nothing like that long ago time, we all have challenges we deal with …such is life.  Alas, I can temporarily put it all aside and find happiness in helping others, even in small ways. Maybe it is somewhat selfish of me, but I also keep doing it because..

I want to be a part of that circle

that complete circle…

of love!

~

in Love, in light, and in laughter,

~gypsy-he♥rt

**Note I am donating a photo finish print of “Butterfly Blues” (original post Butterfly Secrets~ Butterfly Wisdom)to the Safe Animal Shelter charity event. How could I not donate something..’tis where I adopted our beloved guru dogs, Ringo and Amber! A wonderful friend of mine and of the shelter is anonymously donating beautiful framing! They too are having a dinner and silent auction…though their dinner will be much fancier! I will not be attending theirs this time..maybe next year…you just never know.

Butterfly Blues ©Morri

original /oil on canvas

(click on thumbnail to enlarge)

I’ve been around to “visit” some of you..will be around to see more of you. I can’t seem to keep up with everything anymore. I will tell you again that facebook has been an unexpected pleasant surprise.  A quick way to keep up with old friends and make new!  You may want to think about joining us.  ta, ta for now. :)

~♥♥~

morriart.com