My goal as an artist is to encourage others not just to look, but to see the beauty in our surroundings. I have chosen to focus much of my work on insects because they are more often treated as pests than as our fellow creatures. They are everywhere, and although they sometimes bother us, they are just trying to make their way in the world like everybody else. They are small, but their bodies have very complex shapes and structures. The more closely you look, the more interesting they become.

I am captivated by printmaking. As I studied the work of other artists it became apparent that it was monotypes that made my heart sing, so I started there. As I began to explore further, as the universe of printmaking began to unfold, so many other things called to me: The luscious paper. The smell of the ink. The embossment made by the plate, and the melding of ink and paper into one. The stately procession of steps to a traditional etching. The thrill of turning the wheel of the press, turning back the blankets, and gently lifting the paper to see what has appeared.

These are the things that inform my imagery. I hope you can join me in appreciation of the beauty that surrounds us.

Gail Morrison