Artist Spotlight: Kevin Brent Morris
Rooted in childhood ambitions—art has become not just a passion but a calling
I think you'll really enjoy getting to know more about Kevin through this blog post—Sometimes our dreams are planted early, even if it takes years for them to bloom. For Kevin, the journey to embracing art began unexpectedly in 2015 with a visit to a Richard Estes exhibit.
What is your daily routine/ritual to “get in the mood” to create?
For better or worse, I am a hyper-disciplined person. I wake up at 5 each morning, paint for an hour or so, exercise, paint again, do whatever other work needs to be done for the day, and then paint again in the evening. I listen to podcasts when I paint— lots of history and current events.
How did you settle into the medium/mediums you use today?
I am very opportunistic with my mediums and am fairly agnostic. I began painting with acrylic due to the ease of use and the fast drying times which enable me to layer paintings quickly. I moved to oils for work where I want to paint more loosely. I use gouache when I travel because it dries quickly and reactivates when wet. I’ll paint with whatever is available!
Did you always want to be an artist?
I have always loved art. I just never thought I was an artist. That is until I saw a Richard Estes exhibit in 2015. Estes is a photorealistic and, when I saw his work, it triggered something inside of me to want to create. There was a deep observation that Estes’ work required. A meditation of sorts. Anyhow, I picked up a paint brush for the first time in 2015 and channeled my love for both ecology and people into my art practice. Fast forward to today. I was recently visiting my family in Houston and my parents pulled out an elementary school memory book that I had no recollection of. Much to my surprise, I said that I wanted to be an artist when I was in kindergarten. Despite having no memory of wanting to be an artist and 37 years of not being an artist, I now definitely consider myself an artist and art a calling. It just took 37 years of germination for that seed to finally sprout.
What moved you to sell your work rather than just make it?
There’s only so much work you can stash on your walls and in your basement. It’s got to get out in the world to make other people happy. You don’t put a lamp under a basket. You let it shine out. That’s how I feel about selling my work and putting it out in the world.
What other artists in the gallery are you inspired by?
My new favorite has to be Paige Ledom. She’s from Kansas City (bonus!) and her collage work is just great. Hunt Slonem is also an art hero to me as a current king of the pop art movement. His repeat of the bunnies was a huge encouragement that I could vibe on beetles. And let’s talk about Ekaterina Popova ! Her brushwork is phenomenal. And I’ve got to give a shout out to my fellow realists like Monica Ajenjo , Jenna Brownlee , and Gina Julian.
Available at the Gallery:
If you haven't seen them already, Kevin’s pieces are even more vibrant in person, and he’ll be sharing new work in our Ordinary Objects Show on March 21st. Join Kevin ’s Presale List for first dibs!
