L. Scooter Morris American

I was lucky to have grown up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where there were incredible arts programs, including through the Carnegie Museum. I began my arts education through public education and in the museum programs. Later, I attended Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia and Rome, Italy. I left school for a year to move to Los Angeles, California and received my B.F.A. from University of Southern California. Subsequently, I took post graduate courses at UCLA. After, moving to New Mexico, I was greatly influenced by the atmosphere and environment and that influenced me to evolve the style of painting I call, Sculpted Paintings. There is the artist's intention behind the work, there is also the meaning the viewer has upon seeing the work. Combined, the work's meaning is elevated.

I work primarily on created surfaces that are acrylic and canvas on canvas and varying texture and usually employing mixed media. It gives me the freedom to work fast or slow and I am able to make choices about employing mixed media. 

The flag as an iconic image touches almost everyone in a personal way, it begs further exploration. The work has taken on a life of its own through these paintings and I am intrigued with the possibilities of where it could go and what it could become. This past year I began a new series of paintings called, The Money Pieces. These paintings combine the materials and iconic references of money landscape images, the flag and other more personal images. In one piece called Money to Burn, I have a bonfire burning paper money, bills blowing through the air and Money that is growing on the trees. Some incorporate the United States Flag, but I am working on using the flag of other countries also, as it wrestles with the politics of world leaders, currency, and changing norms.