Hazel Morley

Biography

I've been interested in art since school and when I lived in Spain I exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, and wrote for some international magazines on a range of art subjects. I got busy for a while when I came back to the UK and returned to study, and have to fit art around my day job, but keep learning new techniques through short courses and workshops, as well as through reading and online classes. I have a diploma in illustration of children's books, and have done short courses in archaeological and botanical illustration so love the use of a black line with colour, and do botanical illustration for a local Plantlife site. I enjoy learning about wildlife and nature, which often form subjects for my work, and I am a member of the Association of Animal Artists. A course in printmaking at Selby college, workshops in fabric art, collage and experimenting with looser techniques and mixed media have led me to working in a variety of styles including experimenting, evolving, and bringing in a mix of illustrative techniques with those from other art styles. I often return to the same subjects at different times of year, and in winter find myself working from photos including of world wildlife, but in summer get inspired by being outside more locally, in my garden, in Yorkshire and further afield. I love the fact that creating art makes me slow down and notice the world around me, helps me switch of from the stresses of work and life, and helps me take note of the beauty and detail in the the world we live in. Art for me is an escape, so I often choose subjects that bring me joy to spend time enjoying, although as I have a strong interest in environmental protection so themes of sustainable gardening, subjects of nature, and an increased use of reused or recycled materials are subjects I come back to.