Michael Morgan (1928-2014) was a renowned West Country artist who enjoyed two distinguished careers firstly in academia and latterly as an artist whose ground-breaking style is widely considered to have added new life to the watercolour medium and subsequently influenced and guided many young artists.

His family fondly recall his frequent refrain “when I retire I’m going to paint”. From childhood, he always enjoyed painting, but he fulfilled his family promise to become an artist after 1985. A prime source of inspiration was the works of the late John Blockley, a noted Cotswold-based artist, who with his painting partner Moira Huntly, regularly organised painting weeks for artist friends who included Martin Procter, Malcolm Edwards, Norma Stephenson and Gillian McDonald.

Favoured locations for these trips were usually upland settings such as Snowdonia, the North York Moors and Pembrokeshire, all locations which have inspired Michael with his recurring themes of isolation and escapism which were to form core ingredients in his paintings. From relatively straightforward watercolours, he evolved a unique genre, painting small but visually powerful paintings. These finely crafted paintings usually consisted of lonely buildings in isolated settings. No animate object was allowed to intrude.

Innovation in terms of how he applied marks to paper, texturing and bold choice of colour gave these studies real presence and power. He was usually coy as to the location or indeed multiple locations that inspired a composition. Similarly he would not discuss the secrets of his technique. The final result, however was work that drew in the viewer.

From 1997, solo shows in a local gallery close to his home near Axminster proved sell-outs. Recognition followed his innovative approach, for works which in their power often seemed to be more akin to oil paintings. In 1998 Michael Morgan won the medal for most outstanding submission by a non-member at the Spring Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours shortly followed by his selection as a member of the RI.

Putting his academic, artistic and administrative skills into focus, he was appointed in 2000 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and founding academician of the newly formed Exeter-based South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts (SWAc) which has become a beacon for artists in the South West. He was president of The Honiton Art Society and his active involvement in fund raising and encouragement for students in local schools and colleges led to the naming of the arts building at his local community college in Axminster after him.

Michael Morgan produced moving new interpretations of lonely and beautiful places which imbue a sense of escapism which surely strikes a chord with many in our fast moving and pressured world. Forest Gallery are honoured to be working closely with Michael’s family in bringing to life an extraordinary set of limited edition prints, many of which have never been available until now.

ART VISUALISER
We have teamed up with Art Visualiser to bring you the latest technology in viewing artwork from the comfort of your home. Just click on the Art Visualiser button above and follow the easy step by step instructions.

If you are experiencing any technical difficulties or do not have access to the Art Visualiser app then email a photograph of the space and wall where you would like to see the artwork and we will do the rest. If you can include some dimensions as a reference point it will help to scale the painting correctly against your wall.

Please email your images to sales@forestgallery.com with dimensions and the artwork or artworks which you would like to see on your wall.

HOME VIEWINGS
For those living close to our galleries we offer a Home Viewing Service – this is available within a 10 – 15 mile radius – please get in touch with us to confirm availability. Alternatively, and for those further afield, we offer a Home Approval Service which allows you to borrow an artwork for up to 7 days. To take advantage of either of these services please call us on 01798 368181 to discuss your requirements.

REGULAR PAYMENT OPTIONS
Online checkout is completed via Stripe or Paypal both of which allow payments via a credit or debit card (including Amex). For alternative methods of payment (including payment on collection from the gallery) please contact us.

INTEREST FREE FINANCE
We are partnered with Own Art, a government-backed scheme to help you spread the cost of your purchase, interest free on purchases over £250. To choose this option, click ‘Buy With Finance’ on eligible products or select Own Art at checkout whilst placing your order. You will then be redirected to complete your application. Finance is available up to £5,000 (any amount over this will be requested via a deposit).

ARTWORK RESERVE SCHEME
Alternatively, we offer an artwork reserve scheme – a fast and simple process without the need for credit since your purchase will be delivered once the final instalment has been made. To take advantage of this free service please get in contact with the gallery via the enquiry button above or call 01798 368181 to speak with a member of staff.