John Morris

Artist Bio:

John Morris, a Charlotte, NC–based  painter and draftsman, creates works in oils, acrylics, and charcoal that unite classical technique with contemporary vision. Raised in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley, his art reflects both the mystery of nature and the mystical presence of figures, landscapes, and seascapes. Influenced by Renaissance and Romantic traditions, Morris seeks to merge the conscious-real with the dream-real. Studies with Herb Jackson at Davidson College and training at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia deepened this pursuit. Since the early 2000s, he has exhibited widely across the Carolinas, producing both commissioned and independent works that continue to evolve in spirit and form.

Artist Statement:

“Lux Humana” is Latin for “human light”—a phrase that captures the emotional pulse of this solo exhibition.

These works illuminate the inner and outer worlds of human experience, with tenderness and strength.

Through expressive brushwork and evocative composition, John Morris explores the power of gesture, gaze, and presence. From the quiet introspection of solo subjects, to the inherent narratives of groups, each painting invites reflection and reaction. With combined elements abstract and representational, the artist opens, and leaves open, the door for interpretation.