Gregory Morrill

I was born in Maine but grew up in Silvermine, CT where our family lived until I was 14. My love of art was born there and cultivated by some very eccentric but wonderfully artistic and creative neighbors. I had my pick of artists, painters, poets, sculptors and potters. When my mother noticed my interest I was tutored at the Silvermine Guild of Art. My first set of paints was given to me by one of the artists in the neighborhood. As a kid growing up from toddler to teen I absorbed a lot. Many times I would see some of the actors – in costume – rehearsing lines for their next project. Being interested I asked questions about stage and movie makeup and developed an interest in Hollywood monster movie makeup. Some of my fondest memories are of some of the Halloween monsters I created. By creating these monsters with makeup, I learned about texture, coloring, and facial expressions and use these ideas in my current artwork. While growing up I delivered papers, shoveled snow and cared for pets of my neighbors while they were away. During that time I observed them making art (even watching through their studio windows while I mowed their lawns). Much of what I learned while trying to paint as they did remains with me to this da...