“Magnolia Series No. 3,” colored pencil on paper, 20 x 20 inches. All images © David Morrison, courtesy of Garvey | Simon Gallery, New York, shared with permission
Artist highlights the fragility and fleeting nature of life through fresh magnolia blooms or a parched maple seed pod. With underlying shadows that imply sunlight or an overhead lamp, Morrison’s drawings are deceptively realistic, appearing like three-dimensional organic matter resting atop blank sheets of paper.
Depicting burst pomegranates or an iris on the brink of opening, the colored pencil works reflect the relationship between the whole specimen and the delicate veins, stems, and fleshy material responsible for sustaining life. “I became obsessed with drawing branches and tree trunks by looking at them through magnifying glasses that allowed me to peer deeper into an astonishing world of abstract shapes and patterns. I then realized the complexity of nature and how magnificent it is,” the artist says in . “Every time I start a new drawing the discovery process starts anew.”
For more of Morrison’s still lifes, visit and , where he’s represented.
“Maple Seed Pods” (2022), colored pencil on paper, 23 x 30 inches
“Chinese Lantern Drawing” (2022), colored pencil on paper, 21 x 26 inches
“Pomegranate” (2021), colored pencil on paper, 18 x 28 inches
“Magnolia Blossom Series No. 1,” colored pencil on paper, 18 x 18 inches
Left: “Firewood Series No. 9” (2018), colored pencil on paper, 24.5 x 14 inches. Middle: “Iris Series No. 5” (2020), colored pencil on paper, 26 x 14 inches. Right: “Firewood Series No. 1” (2018), colored pencil on paper, 36 x 21 inches
The artist in his studio
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