“The most important aspect of being an artist is being a keen observer. Nature’s ever changing moods are a wellspring of inspiration. My goals for my work are to enjoy the process of painting and seeing, to engage emotional participation from people who view the painting, and to share the often overlooked, intimate aspects of nature. I seek to achieve a balance between the subject and its environment. The excitement for me is constantly exploring new ways to interpret nature. I am convinced that no one can improve on natural compositions, when they can be isolated. Rhythms too, can be magical if you can isolate them and that gets easier with experience. It comes from trusting your own vision. It is the way you look at things and see something lyrical or harmonious. This harmony is further aided by the play of light, shadow and subtle color changes. I am intrigued by the patterns and shapes found in nature and concentrate on the effects of light on these elements and the resulting array of colors in nature’s ever-changing moods”.
Jim Morgan is the featured artist at the Steamboat Art Museum’s retrospective exhibition “Moments In The Wild” December 7, 2018 – April 13, 2019. Jim will have over 70 select paintings spanning his 40 year career included in this event.
Playing with light, brushstrokes, and texture in the style of an impressionist, Jim Morgan constantly searches for different ways to express the beauty he sees in nature. He seeks to attain only a few relatively simple goals in his art. He wants to enjoy the process of painting, while generating emotional participation from those who view his work. And, he tries to bring an awareness to others of the often-overlooked and intimate aspects of nature.
EXHIBITIONS
- National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Prix de West, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Northwest Rendezvous, Helena, Montana
- Artists of America, Denver Rotary, Denver, Colorado
- Birds in Art, 1982-83, 1986-2002: The Artists' View, 1990-1996 Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
- Wildlife - The Artist's View, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum - 1990
- Society of Animal Artists Annual Exhibitions, New York
- Western Visions, Wildlife of the American West Museum, Jackson, Wyoming
- Living Legends and Young Brushes, 1997-2000, Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada.
- Buffalo Bill Western Art Show, Cody, Wyoming
- American Art in Miniature, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- The Landscape and Closer Views, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Montana
- Great American Artists, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Masters of the American West, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles, California
- Wildlife for a New Century, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming
- American Masters, New York City, New York
- Coors Western Art Show, Denver, Colorado
- Maynard Dixon Country, Mt. Carmel, Utah
- Allure of Water - Oil Painters of America, Stockton, California
- Night of Artists - Briscoe Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas
- Wildlife Art Masters, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat, Colorado
- Eitlejorg Western Art Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio
- National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Northwest Rendezvous Group, Helena, Montana
- Society of Animal Artists, New York, New York
- Plein Air Painters Of America (PAPA)
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
- Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming
- National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Montana Historical Museum, Helena, Montana
RECOGNITIONS
- Robert M. Lougheed Memorial Award, 2025, National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Pre de West Purchase Award, 2025, National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Red Smith Artists' Choice Award, 1996, 2007, 2012, National Wildlife Art Museum, Jackson, Wyoming
- 2008 Master Wildlife Artist, Birds In Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, Wisconsin
- Ben Stahl Artists' Choice Award, 1993, 1995, 2008, Northwest Rendezvous, Park City, Utah
- People's Choice Award, 2006, National Wildlife Art Museum, Jackson, Wyoming
- Robert M. Lougheed Memorial Award, 1994, National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- John Scott Peoples Choice Award, 1996, Northwest Rendezvous, Park City, Utah
- Jurors Award, 1993, Northwest Rendezvous, Park City, Utah
- Award of Merit, Society of Animal Artists, New York, New York
GALLERIES
PUBLICATIONS
- Wood River Fine Arts, Ketchum, Idaho
- Trailside Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming and Scottsdale, Arizona
- Simpson, Gallagher Gallery, Cody, Wyoming
- Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Clagget/Ray Gallery, Vail, Colorado
- Gallery 1261, Denver, Colorado
- Padereski Galleries, Charleston, South Carlolina & Nashville, Tennessee
- Alume Gallery, West Philipsburg, Montana
- Southwest Art Magazine, 32nd Anniversary Issue, May 2003
- Modern Wildlife Painting, Nicholas Hammond, Pica Press, 1999. -- Sporting Classics, July/Aug 1999
- Art of the West Magazine, Jan/Feb 1992 & July/Aug 1998
- Leading the West: One Hundred Contemporary Painters and Sculptors, Donald J. Hagerty, Northland Publishing, 1997
- Wildlife Art Magazine, Nov/Dec 1994
- Southwest Art Magazine, Aug 1992
