Ruth Morrissey
MA Painting
I have a deep interest and appreciation of detail, colour, form, mark making, observation and contemplation which are expressed and explored in my painting practice. My practice currently includes several methods of working, resulting in different painting outcomes. Such as painting solely from life, solely from my imagination and occasionally within the same painting these two methods align. Each of these methods hold equal importance and meaning to me. The imaginative work endlessly intrigues and propels me with regards to it’s possibilities, meanings and origins as well as it’s improvisational, organic and yet ordered, considered process - with areas of space offering overall balance. I also enjoy producing work made solely from life and the physical, resulting in a deeper understanding of a subject and feeling a sense of grounding. When painting and observing a subject from life in closer detail I also enjoy the abstraction it can offer and ambiguous results. The act of Painting for me is an essential and meaningful way of communicating my responses to my environments, understanding and navigating life - seeking and often finding through painting a sense of peace, fulfillment and value.
The MA Painting course at Manchester School of Art has been an important and inspirational experience for the development of my practice and I feel incredibly lucky to have had my painting informed and guided by the invaluable teachings, expertise and support from the founder of the course Dr Ian Hartshorne and painting tutor Jenny Eden as well as my peers throughout my studies. It was an ideal progression from my BA Painting degree from Camberwell College of Arts. I am looking forward to continuing my painting practice and deepening and developing connections with fellow painters and contributing to contemporary painting activity and communities.
