Charlene Morrison
Artist statement:
From as early as I can remember, I liked to draw. I was taught that our abilities are a gift from God and will increase as we use them for His glory. Every school project from grade school through High School involved my two interests, illustrating and creative writing. The Nativity scene I painted won first prize in a window painting contest. The $25 prize money paid for half of my wedding dress. Ken and I have been married 46 years.
I continued my education in art by taking oil portrait classes at Clackamas Community College and classes in layout and design through the Portland art Museum. I've used art all my life. The other love I learned from my grandma was telling Bible stories. I began drawing pictures to illustrate stories that taught bible truths.
For 10 years I did free lance artwork for Sunshine Bible visuals illustrating songs and memory work for the Happy Hour Bible clubs, workshops and summer camps. "Say it so I can see it", has been a personal challenge during my 50 years. I've visualized over 350 songs with several being printed in national press. Creativity carried over into my work place designing publicity, mailing inserts and writing articles for company newsletters. My Sunday evening past-time was redesigning the house-plan of the week. Consequently I designed three homes we've built so they reflect me. After we retired to our seasonal residence in Goldendale, Washington, we spent a year helping build our permanent home. I told my husband I was going to earn Christmas money by painting windows in town with Christmas themes. The February 2004 issue of Ruralite magazine wrote a feature article about me called "painter on clear canvas". I combine my love for gospel story telling with art and also began doing "black light" chalk drawings for various churches. Now that I work part-time, I can spend more time doing arts and crafts and teaching art classes.
