***ALL PAINTING ARE FOR SALE, CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION*****
Artists: Jean Morris and Elaine Shields
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Jean Morris
Jean Morris, a well-known artist in West Alabama, is co- owner of Riverport Gallery in historic downtown Northport, Al. She is an accomplished portrait painter, who is often commissioned to do portraits in charcoal, pastels, or oils. Her paintings are in private as well as the Westervelt Corporation Headquarters, Tuscaloosa Transportation Museum, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Arts Council, Kentuck, and Energen Corporation. Jean recently completed sculpts of the presidents and first ladies from President Jimmy Carter to President Obama, which were installed in the Pettus Randall Museum at the American Village in Montevallo, Al.
Jean has won many national, regional, and local awards. Her work can be seen at Riverport Gallery, Merrill Miller Gallery in Gulf Shores, and Little House on Linden in Homewood. Jean also teaches painting and sculpting at Riverport Gallery on Artist Row in downtown Northport.
Artist Statement: I was recently asked, “What is your proudest achievement in your art career?” I had to say I hope I haven’t reached that point yet. Every day we as artist, no matter where we are in our art career, need to strive to be better. Don’t get side tracked by self-satisfaction, doubt or bad habits. Find a good teacher, or be a good teacher, and invest in your future. Create! Share!
ELAINE SHIELDS
Oil painting has become Elaine Shields’ third career. After teaching for seventeen years in Marengo County in Alabama, she began a second career, with Auburn University Extension System as Extension Coordinator in Choctaw County. Elaine “fell in love” with oil painting after attending a class in Meridian, MS with a friend who needed a travel companion. Following retirement about five years ago, Elaine and her husband Don moved to Northport, where they now reside.
Elaine is now a partner at Riverport Gallery, Northport, where the majority of her paintings are displayed. She also has paintings at Heidi’s Interiors, Tuscaloosa; Black Belt Treasures, Camden, Al.; Rural Heritage Center, Thomaston, Al.; and Merrill Miller’s Gallery in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Elaine has had solo art shows at The Emporium Art Gallery in Alex City and at the Canterbury Art Gallery in Tuscaloosa.
Elaine has studied with Bonnie Busbee, who is known for her portrait paintings, as well as well-known local artist, Jean Ignatz. She has also attended art workshops, both in and out-of-state. Other artists with whom Elaine has studied include Roger Dale Brown, JoAnn Williams Walker, Robert Johnson, Kim English, Diane McClary, Cally Krallman, Lori Putnam, Guido Frick, Floyd Houseman, and Dawn Whitelaw.
“When I paint, time simply flies by,” says Elaine. “I enjoy painting almost anything and have done some commissioned paintings that were challenging. I have a daughter who teaches art in the Albertville School System in north Alabama, but during all those years of buying art materials for her, I never considered painting myself. So discovering my own love for painting was most surprising. I hope that others enjoy my paintings.” Elaine invites you to come by Riverport Studio & Gallery to visit and to view her paintings. Elaine’s art has been selected for juried art shows throughout Alabama. The most recent is the Energen Art Show in Birmingham.
