Meet Celeste Morton | Artist/Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Celeste Morton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Celeste, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
One of my mentor’s in graduate school, Abby Donovan, said “I know plenty of people who say they regret not being an artist but I have never heard anyone say they regret being one. ” I think about this a lot and it makes me remember that being an artist is always worth the risk. I pursued becoming an artist because it felt and still feels like the most rewarding way to live my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In undergrad I studied film theory. Although I have always loved art, I did not study it formally until after I finished undergrad. After I graduated I pursued film for a few years before realizing that I really loved painting. I then had to figure out how to paint with oils. I did this on my own before participating in a Post- baccalaureate program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and then my MFA at University of Delaware. During that time I felt like I was constantly trying to “catch up” technically and formally. However, I realized that my background in film theory always imbued my work with great meaning and thought that I found others could relate to. It is important for me that my paintings maintain a formal tension and a narrative thoughtfulness. I think that looking at a painting can be similar to experiencing a film or short story, it is something in which the viewer can become enveloped.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, galleries on the Lower East Side, walk in prospect park, Nighthawk cinema (when it reopens), and my studio! I also live very close to Greenwood Cemetery. We would definitely go for a walk there, its so beautiful, and then get tacos from my favorite taco truck.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents, who are both artists, are very supportive. Reading Eric Fischl’s autobiography, Bad Boy: My Life On and Off the Canvas, when I was just starting to paint, was a game changer for me. It taught me not to be intimidated and to find my own voice.

Website: http://celestejbmorton.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celeste_jb_morton/

Facebook: Celeste Morton

Image Credits
Main photo is taken by Azule Arts Residency Program and azule.org