ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Jim Morreau was born in Richmond, KY in 1955.  He was interested in art at an early age and received private art lessons as a youth in Charleston, SC.  In high school, he won several art awards and accolades and sold numerous "psychedelic" pop art posters popular in the late 60's and early 70's.  While in high school, Jim also developed a deep-rooted passion for social justice and equitable treatment of all individuals.  In college, Jim's interest turned to philosophy and he earned double majors in philosophy and English.  These interests led him to law school and he eventually pursued a career in law, representing severely injured victims of other's wrongful behavior for 25 years.  After 25 years of marriage and raising two children, art beckoned once again and Jim set up a home studio and began to get reacquainted with the various art materials and mediums used to produce art today.  He immersed himself in a year and a half of art self-instruction. reading hundreds of magazine articles, over 75 instructional books and watching numerous DVDs and videos on painting.  In the fall of 2006, Jim left his law practice to pursue art full time  He now devotes the passions that have driven him since childhood to the creation of art works reflective of his interest in the nature and the human experience.  He has produced over 200 paintings.

Jim likes to work in bold colors and rich textures.  He is drawn to the creation of art works reflective of the spiritual response evoked when he experiences the spectacular wonders of nature.  Sometimes, he will use watercolors because he has always been fascinated by the luminous look of the transparent paint.  This was the inspiration for many of his early works, including the Tropical Palms Series.  He is also enticed by acrylics because of the panoply of mediums that can be used to enhance and enrich them.  The result is his latest works in the Contemporary Landscape Series, which attempt to incorporate textures and colors that evoke a sensory response in the viewer.  Jim also sometimes uses oil paints, mixed media and digital imaging, all of which have a place in the arsenal of a landscape artist.  As they say, life is a journey and Jim acknowledges that he still has much to learn and explore - he just hopes that he has time to do it all.

Jim is a member of the Kentucky Watercolor Society and exhibited four paintings at their 2006 show for new members, garnering positive reviews.  He has sold numerous paintings to individuals and his law firm has exhibited several of his works.

JURIED ART SHOWS

Woodland Art Fair - Lexington, KY, Aug 18 - 19, 2007

46th Annual Art Fair - Skokie, IL, July 7 – 8, 2007

Art Rapids! - Elk Rapids, MI, June 30, 2007

Art on the Plaza - Plaza del Lago, Wilmette, IL, June 16 – 17, 2007

Arts on the Green 2007 - LaGrange, KY, June 2 – 3, 2007
5th Annual Lowertown Art & Music Festival, May 25 – 27, 2007
11th Annual Newport Arts & Music Festival, July 29 – 30, 2006
4th Lowertown Art & Music Festival, May 26 – 28, 2006

EXHIBITIONS
One-man exhibition, Kruger, Schwartz & Morreau, March 2006

Kentucky Watercolor Society, New Member Show Jan 7 – Feb 4, 2006

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Kruger, Schwartz & Morreau
Numerous Individuals


EDUCATION

University of Louisville, JD 1980

ART ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS
Arts Kentucky
Chicago Artists' Coalition
Kentucky Arts Council
Kentucky Watercolor Society