Gate Crashers

“Gate Crashers” Original Oil on Linen 76cm x 84cm by ARC Living Artist Ann Morton

Ann’s Inspiration: “As someone who paints primarily from life this painting has been a real adventure. It represents the King parrots who share my pomegranate tree each year. I painted as much as I could from life, both in the studio and the garden. The birds had to be worked out from reference material to allow me to construct my composition. I am sure my friendly King parrots would have loved to join my party. It took me months to complete this complex painting, and I am finally happy to show it. It is a celebration of my endeavour to integrate with, rather than dominate the natural world.”

When viewing an Ann Morton painting one soon realizes that the artist has created a work of quality and exquisite beauty. Demand for Ann’s work has increased dramatically over the past few years through solo and joint exhibitions in private and public galleries, along with commissions from corporate and private collectors. Concentrating on still life since basing herself in the country, Ann has however had the distinction of being a finalist in the prestigious nationally recognized Archibald Portrait Prize. Public acclaim also resulted when her self-portrait was voted one of the top two in the ‘People’s Choice Award’. Further recognition came as a finalist in The Sporting Portrait 2000 (or ‘Sporting Archibald’), which saw her work exhibited in the N.S.W. Art Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and Regional Art Galleries throughout the country.

As a full-time artist, Ann Morton has enjoyed a highly successful career her entire adult life. Her paintings have attracted a great deal of interest from around the world. Demand for Ann’s work has increased dramatically over the past few years through solo and joint exhibitions in private and public galleries, along with commissions from corporate and private collectors. Ann is a member of the Australian Portrait Artists Society, and has won numerous awards for both portraiture and still life. Concentrating on still life’s, Ann has however had the distinction of being a finalist in the prestigious nationally recognized Archibald Portrait Prize. Public acclaim also resulted when her self-portrait was voted one of the top two in the ‘People’s Choice Award’. Further recognition came as a finalist in The Sporting Portrait 2000 (or ‘Sporting Archibald’), which saw her work exhibited in the N.S.W. Art Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and Regional Art Galleries throughout the country.

The Art Renewal Centre has awarded Ann the title of “Living Artist”. Ann always prefers her paintings to ‘speak’ for her – “I love the juxtaposition of natural things with man-made objects. The irregularity of pattern as opposed to the symmetrical and mechanical nature of our cultures finely crafted artefacts. In an age of speed, I revel in the time I can put into my paintings. Time spent creating something that will delight a person enough for them to want to take it home. It is an art form that has grown from a slower age, but I feel that this makes it more valuable to us now.”