ARTIST
STATEMENT
I
have always rejected the notion that figurative art is dead or irrelevant. One of the best ways to depict any abstract
concept, idea, or emotion is to give it human characteristics or traits. And to be honest, I simply enjoy portraying
people in my art. Human beings have
enough intricacies and unique differences to provide inspiration for several
hundred artists’ lifetimes.
Most
of my art is left open to interpretation by the viewer since I rarely provide
specific meanings behind what I do. I
would much rather create the images and then allow the viewer decide what my
work means to them personally. We all
have our own personal histories and experiences anyhow, so it’s very easy to
see how a good artwork could be deciphered in multiple ways. With that said, there are times where I’m
drawn to make a particular image without actually understanding it, only to
discover my own personal relevance to the painting several months or years
later.
When
it really comes down to it, my art is a dialog between me and anyone who
happens to look at it. I start the
stories, and through their interpretations of my art, the viewers complete the
stories.
To
paraphrase one of my biggest influences, Rene Magritte: “Life obliges me to do
something, so I make art.”
Raised
on Promises
July 6 - August 3, 2018
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
When people my age were kids, we were promised all
the wondrous treasures that the future held…how great life will be in 10, 20,
45 years. Flying cars. Living to be 200 years old. A virtual utopia for all of mankind. And while human ingenuity certainly has given
us countless great advancements, we can’t ignore our fair share of tragedies,
misery, and disappointments as well.
“Last
year was a son of a bitch for nearly everyone we know…”
–
Jason Isbell
The past couple years have definitely had their
moments. We’ve endured the first stages
of the Trump regime. We lost Tom
Petty. And people have seemed to be
increasingly divisive and downright mean to each other. It takes a conscious choice to stay above the
fray, but at what cost? And does this choice
equate to being ill-informed? And is
that even worth it?
“Everybody’s
hurt, and mine ain’t the worst,
But it’s mine and I’m feeling it now.”
- Brian Fallon
As I began this series, I noticed a common theme related
to a sense of dread or feelings of melancholy in the paintings. Quite frankly, I realized that the stories presenting
themselves to me seemed to be on the moody side. Dark, ominous skies. Somber tones.
My ever-present blackbirds signaling a sense of doom and dread.
This wasn’t a conscious choice; I simply painted
what came to mind or what I felt needed to be said. Several of these images related to not-so-great
things I saw every day in any number of places.
So it surprised me just a bit when a couple happy themes eventually appeared.
“Well
she was an American Girl, raised on promises,
She couldn’t help thinking that there was a little more to life somewhere else.”
- Tom Petty
We can’t let ourselves only focus on the bad. The downers.
The bummers. I can’t quite see
the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s got to be getting closer. Surely it’s just around the next turn
ahead. Despite all of the turmoil and
strife, I can’t think of a historical period that I’d rather live in. I know we’ll get through this.
Cautionary
Tales
November 4 - December 30, 2016
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Once I
began working on this series, it occurred to me very quickly that a completely
new President would be elected during the time this collection of works would
be hanging. While I’m not necessarily a
huge fan of politics, I’m quite interested in what might be termed “campaign
science,” so the idea of creating paintings that might reflect our current
events was intriguing to me.
I
chose to avoid blatant commentary on specific events or issues, a decision that
was reinforced on an almost daily basis as the campaigns have descended into an
increasingly heated and divisive place.
So rather than creating images with recognizable political players or
situations, I chose to focus more on general themes and ideas illustrated
through anonymous characters.
With
all that said, this work is only slightly political.
This
series became known to me as “Cautionary Tales” long after the ideas for most
of these paintings came about. The imagery
seemed to reflect warnings of potential dangers, dread, or an unsettling loss
of control. The stories I tell are both
personal and things I’ve witnessed, using imagery that “doesn’t seem quite
right” or is slightly tongue in cheek. There
is rarely one single interpretation for my paintings; while it’s true that I
normally create each image with a specific message in mind, I hope my viewers
will interpret the works based on their own points of view.
PRESS
HERE is a nice review of the "Cautionary Tales" exhibit.
PARTIAL
EXHIBITION RECORD
SOLO
2021 - A Retrospective...So Far, So Good
Eight One Five Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 - A Retrospective...So Far
Dorris Rider Gallery, Trenton, MO
2018 - Raised on Promises
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2016
- Cautionary Tales
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2011
- the self-portrait project
NOMO Art Center, Marceline, MO
2009
- paintings by jim norris
Gallery of Art, Southeastern Community
College, Burlington, IA
2008
- paintings by jim norris
Charno Gallery – Kansas City Artists
Coalition, Kansas City, MO
2006
- reflections, observations &
untruths
NOMO Arts Center, Marceline, MO
GROUP
2021 - 14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2016 - Cautionary Tales
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2021 - An Exhibition of Things Called Art
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 - A Kansas City Collective
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 - Abundance
Vanessa Lacy Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 - The Human Form Show
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2018 - Catrinas y la Calacas: A Tribute to Dia de los Muertos
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2018 - The Human Form Show
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2017 - A 15 Year Celebration
Dorris Rider Gallery, Trenton, MO
2017 - All Media Exhibit
The Cultural Corner, Chillicothe, MO
2015
- The Human Form Show
Hilliard Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2011
- New Art by the Trenton Artists Guild
Grundy County Museum, Trenton, MO
2007
- The Art of Sacrifice
Altered Esthetics Gallery, Minneapolis,
MN
2007
- River Market Regional Exhibition
Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas
City, MO
2006
- Raise Your Voice!
University of Central Missouri Art
Center Gallery, Warrensburg, MO
2006
- Re:Members Exhibit
Kansas City Artists Coalition, Kansas
City, MO
GALLERY
REPRESENTATION
Hilliard
Gallery, Kansas City, MO
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