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DROUGHT RELEIF APPEAL- Artist Bill Morton donates work to drought relief appeal

Crows Nest artist Bill Morton has many inspirational moments, just as is expected of artists. These moments helped him start many paintings, some finished and some not. One incomplete oil of the Crows Nest Falls, four feet wide by three feet deep, is to be completed this week at the Week of Art in Crows Nest in the Crows Nest Community Centre. Those interested are invited to visit a group of artists at work.

This painting will be raffled to raise money for drought relief. Tickets can be bought from the art display. Mr Morton trained in London and uses an English technique of outlining the painting and adding colour over the top to complete the work.

He suggested that a normal catalogue price for a work this size and with his technique might be more than $7000, but it was unlikely such a price might be realised at the moment. However, Bill Morton has produced some highly acclaimed paintings and this one of the Crows Nest Falls should attract those who . his technical skills, the appeal of his oil work.

Principal of Murray's Art and Framing Sue McMaster and Crows Nest artist Bill Morton select a frame for this large work of the Crows Nest Falls.

The painting is to be completed during this week's Week of Art in Crows Nest and will be raffled to raise money for drought relief. A painting of such a local scene would also enhance any art collection. Inspiration recently hit Mr Morton when the disaster of drought was overwhelming the community and he decided to offer one of his uncompleted works as a raffle prize to raise drought relief funds.

Bill offered to complete the work during the Week of Art in Crows Nest, or as soon as possible after the event, and provide the an opportunity to see him and artists in action in the glass room of the Crows Nest Community Centre
Article by - Miles Noller.

Crows Nest artist Bill Morton will donate an oil painting of the "Crows Nest Falls" which is valued at more than $7,000 and an oil painting of the "Crows Nest National Park" to raise money for the drought relief appeal. 100% of the funds raised will be donated.

Bill working on an oil painting of the "Crows Nest Falls" he has donated for the drought relief appeal.

Crows Nest artist Bill Morton works on an oil painting of the "Crows Nest Falls" (1200mm x 900mm) he has donated for the drought relief appeal.

Artist Bill Morton donates work to drought relief appeal "Crows Nest National Park" (500mm x 700mm) Tickets available at Chic Shoes, Meats and More, CN Service Station, Property Management, and Secretary of Artists of Crows Nest Inc.

Bill has also donated an oil painting of the "Crows Nest National Park" to be raffled to raise money for the drought relief 100% of the funds raised will be donated. .

Bill Morton - "Crows Nest National Park" (500mm x 700mm)

TOOWOOMBA ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION 1st - 27th MAY 2018 OPENING Video

Toowoomba Art Society feature of Bill's Exhibition

TOOWOOMBA ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION 1st - 27th MAY 2018

Press Release

SUBJECT: Forthcoming Exhibition at Toowoomba Art Society

EXHIBITION: “TOOWOOMBA – TODAY, TOMOROW, A TIME OF TRANSITION” A body of recent works by artist A W (Bill) Morton – paintings and drawings – depicting various aspects of progress of construction work on two major projects of development in and around Toowoomba – The Grand Central Retail development and the 2nd Range Crossing.

WHEN/WHERE: 1st to the 27th May 2018, at Toowoomba Art Societies’ Culliford Gallery – Godsall Street, Toowoomba.

OPENING FUNCTION: Saturday, 5th May at 2:oo pm with Guest Speaker Cr Geoff McDonald.

BACKGROUND: Locally based Crows Nest/Pechey artist, Bill Morton, is to present this work - around 25 plus works in all - the culmination of about 2 years work on location.

Preparations continue apace with the artist, for the first time ever, branching out to work with the diptych format composition. This has been the outcome given the scale and scope and moment of much of the subject matter; many of the works as concepts of necessity, are quite large in scale. Accordingly, to resort to the diptych format has turned out to be something of a logical progression.

All of this has been a major consideration given a historical context – that this historical aspect has been foremost as a rationale for the work. Morton has often referred to this aspect – that this is history in the making – and the fact that he is well placed to be able to record these goings on. This has been something of a motivation in its own right, not to mention the downright fascination of the potential of “construction in the raw” as material for compositions.

Come to the gallery and see this artist’s take on history in the making.

Bill Morton - TOOWOOMBA – TODAY, TOMOROW, A TIME OF TRANSITION

AW Morton - Catalogue No. 1164 - The Pushout - First Beam First Span

TOOWOOMBA ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION MAY 2018

"Toowoomba, Today, Tomorrow, A Time of Transition" Exhibition at the Toowoomba Art Society from 1st May to the 27th May 2018. 1 Godsall Street Toowoomba.

"Toowoomba, Today, Tomorrow, A Time of Transition" is a body of work depicting two major projects for Toowoomba, Grand Central and the 2nd Range Crossing. These have been the inspiration behind the work done so far. And while these projects are a major part of that story of growth, they are by no means the whole story. This exhibition is a opportunity to see some of the works of renowned local artist, A.W.Morton

Work in progress on part of the Toowoomba range crossing collection for Bill Morton's upcoming Exhibition

Works from Bill Morton's 'Toowoomba, Today, Tomorrow, A Time of Transition', Exhibition.

TOOWOOMBA AND DEVELOPMENT
STATEMENT/RATIONALE

This body of work depicting two current major projects for Toowoomba reflects the burgeoning growth Toowoomba and the Toowoomba region is undergoing. The two projects, Grand Central and the 2nd Range Crossing have been the inspiration behind the work done so far. And while these projects are a major part of that story of growth, they are by no means the whole story.

There is the new international standard airport – Brisbane West-Wellcamp – and Mr Compton’s Inland Rail project; a forward thinking bit of infrastructure which daily becomes more of a reality. As well there are other projects planned or in progress including the Technology Park, the Toowoomba Enterprise Hub, Charlton Logistics Park, and, of course mining. And while mining is experiencing something of a quiet period, it will come back as markets dictate. And not to be forgotten, arguably most important of all, is primary production. A much enhanced export capacity – a direct result of these infrastructure projects (road, rail, and air) - will see huge benefits for the region.

As an artist, Bill Morton is in the privileged position of being on the ground, able to record aspects of these developments. The historical significance of this for Toowoomba and the region; and the recording of it, has been foremost as a rationale for the work.

The works (shown) are a small selection of this body of work. Work will be ongoing for months, possibly even a year or more as this will be dictated by the progress of actual construction. As work progresses, new and interesting aspects of the construction will emerge and so these will present as new and fascinating content for compositions/pictures

The calibre of material present in these subjects, the content of pictures, is such that it has inspired some of the most exciting work to date. The sheer joy, the potential they hold for picture making, indeed, their very captivating nature, has been their greatest reward artistically. And all of this on top of the purely technical challenges of composition and design. Add to that the logistical challenges of on location, a very direct consideration in the enterprise of composition; all are part of the mix – all in a day’s work.

And out of this diverse yet seemingly unrelated collection of projects, an over arching, a kind of unifying purpose, even a “common denominator” has emerged. It has become more and more established – more of a “mindset”. Slowly, gradually, but inevitably, it has coalesced in to a much wider reaching, all encompassing idea – that of Toowoomba’s development - in all its guises.

And this is how these projects collectively herald a key moment of growth and development, a major milestone in Toowoomba’s history. The significance of this cannot be overstated. With the “means, motive and the opportunity” A W Morton has determined that this is too important as an idea. It is so very worthy of exploration, hugely significant, momentous even. To ignore such goings on is not an option.

"Grand Central & Village Fair Construction"
View from Gate #2. Pen Ink Wash Drawing 900mm x 535mm

"Grand Central, The Mall, Carpark Tower & Ramp"
Portrait Water Colour Painting. 500mm x 620mm

"The Range Crossing - West Corridor - Preliminary Clearing & Start of Earthworks"
Pen/Ink/Stick & Wash Drawing. 1450mm x 380mm Total Diptych

"657 G Caterpillar Wheel Tractor Scraper - Unit #214"
Pencil Drawing. 500mm x 240mm

"Preliminary Works - Gowrie Ck. Crossing - Western Corridor"
Water Colour Painting. 900mm x 420mm

"Toowoomba Under Construction" 700mm x 570mm .

Bill Morton on location with "Toowoomba Under Construction"

Preliminary Sketch for "View from northern side".

Preliminary Sketch for "View from Northern side Gate 2".

Sketch for "The Range Crossing - West Corridor - Preliminary Clearing & Start of Earthworks".