County of Alameda’s Acute Tower Replacement Project’s Public Art Program
Elise Morris
Artist’s Proposal
I feel that my work is an excellent match for the soon to be light infused and
people-filled spaces within the new Acute Tower at Highland Hospital. This is a
wonderful opportunity to be a part of an amazing art collection in Oakland, and
more importantly contribute in an ongoing and meaningful way to the well being
of all who will visit.
greens, some deep cobalt blues (as in Open Breath 4), light blue and gray (as in
Layers Sweep and Trailing Glimmer), along with strong golden and warm tones
throughout. White shapes and reflections of light, along with scattered darker
silhouettes based on forms found locally in nature, suggest movement, define
composition, and ground the work.
Concept/Theme
My work is deeply inspired by my surroundings in nature. I am interested in
working with light, reflection and the layered properties inherent in the natural
world. I would like to create artworks for this project that are welcoming, bright
and warm to contribute to the healing and calming environment, and support the
Alameda Health System Mission to be “Caring, Healing, Teaching, and Serving
All”. Wherever I am, lately I find myself looking to the light. I look through the
trees, in the heavy clouds, at the reflections in the creek. It is ever changing and
always there, a basic element in our daily experience. Where there is light, there
is clarity and warmth, and the hope of what is ahead.
Dimensions are indicated as length x width.
Option 1: A series of six paintings totaling $25,200
Four 40” x 36” paintings ($3600 ea) and two 40” x 64” paintings
($5400 ea)
Artistic Style & Materials
My artistic style is fluid, intuitive and painterly, with an eye for detail and rich color.
I am interested in the subtleties of nature and I work in many layers of paint over
time. Painting is an intuitive process of creating space, a layering of experiences
that evokes both unexpected complexity and the bareness of the moment. It is a
process of being present. I start with a drawn silhouette of a flowering branch or
similar growth that is in the process of change. I paint intuitively and add many
translucent layers of paint. The finished works incorporate light open areas and
more articulated botanical shapes that interconnect the many layers and depth of
space within the work. The work captures a moment in time, honoring the state
of flux and lingering in its beauty.
Option 2: A series of five paintings totaling $25,000
Two 30” x 50” paintings ($3800 ea) and three 48” x 52” paintings
($5800 ea)
Experience & Qualifications
I work with eight galleries that represent my work. I am often commissioned to
create specific works for clients, either based on imagery from past works, or a
desired palette and size. I am confident that I would be able to use this experience
to create works of art that are beautiful additions to the collection. My interest is
to create artwork that will further enhance and support all of the effort that has
already gone into these important facilities.)
My work both engages viewers from a distance in terms of strong color and
composition, as well as up close. There is a sense of discovery as one views and
interacts with the painting, feeling drawn in to look more closely, finding subtle
passages and delicately drawn elements.
The paintings will be made of quality canvas stretched over custom-built, heavyduty 1¾” deep stretcher bars. I use acrylic in the under-painting and oil-based paint
and Galkyd paint mediums (low toxicity) to complete the work. This combination
of materials is highly archival.
Proposed Works
I have outlined two options that propose a combination of medium and largerscaled paintings. I would like to work on them in pairs so that they can either be
hung together or separately, while retaining their connection to each other. In
each option, there are two pieces with a wide horizontal format that will maximize
wall presence.
This proposed body of work, “Enduring Light” will capture a sense of warmth
and light, with layers of shadows that create depth and draw the viewer in. I will
create a series that holds together in style while each individual piece stands
on its own. Color-wise, I reach into shades of nature, with focus on vibrant pale
Examples of Past Artwork
All artists were asked to refer to examples of their past artwork that are similar to the new artwork they are proposing to create for Acute Care Tower. Refer to the artist’s written proposal
for a description of how the new artwork relates to the images below.
Layers Sweep, 2013, acrylic and oil on canvas, 48” x 52”
Open Breath 4, 2013, acrylic and oil on canvas, 20” x 22”
Trailing Glimmer 2, 2014, acrylic and oil on canvas,
40” x 36”
Proposal concept and artwork copyright Elise Morris. This information may not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist and the Alameda County Arts Commission. For more information about the
County of Alameda’s Acute Tower Replacement Project’s Public Art Program, contact the office of the Alameda County Arts Commission at (510) 208-9646 or [email protected].