Victoria Morris Ekelund

As a gardener, I endeavor to impart the essence of nature in my work. I strive for that same essence of the individual’s nature when I paint the figure.

I was born into a military family and was fortunate enough to move to Europe as a young child. I spent my formative years there and was profoundly affected by the sense of history and culture that surrounded the everyday. My mother loved to travel and therefore we traveled often from wherever our home base was at the time. My teen years were spent in art museums soaking up the wonder of color, composition and subject matter. My early influences included Albrecht Durer, Michelangelo, Rodin and Vincent Van Gogh. I sold my first, and only sculpture when I was in the 10^th grade, at the High School Art Show in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

I attended the Colorado Institute of Art, graduating in Advertising Design. That background in graphic design is still in evidence in my paintings today. I have a very strong sense of composition and color.

Over the years I attended the Art Students League of Denver to assuage my thirst for fine art. Early on I studied first under Mel Carter, drawing the figure, and then oil painting under Bruce Cody. I attended plein aire workshops, including instruction by Quang Ho and Kim English.  To refine my figure drawing skills after years of neglect I studied under Mark Daily and Kevin Weckbach.

I have been in many local juried exhibitions, winning both Artists Choice and Best of Show awards.

I love being outdoors and painting. I feel fortunate to be a part of the Plein Aire Artists of Colorado (PAAC). There is nothing better than being outdoors doing what you love best with others that share the same passion.

Professional Organizations: Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Artists of Colorado

Group Exhibits: Currently part of the Denver Plein Air Art Festival juried show at the Denver Public Library, and received a Honorable Mention. Abend Gallery, Angler Fine Art Gallery, Art Center of Estes Park, Art Student's League of Denver, Cultural Arts Center of Estes Park, Denver Botanic Gardens, Foothills Art Center, Gallery 821, Gallery Nine, Lakewood Cultural Center, Republic Plaza, RL Foster Gallery