︎
Biography

Born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Elissa Morley is an artist currently dividing her time between Central Florida and Indianapolis.
After graduating with an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art in London, England, she taught in many institutions of higher education in Central Kentucky.  She received a Kentucky Foundation for Women Artist Enrichment Grant in 2009, the Great Meadows Artist Professional Development Grant in 2020,  and has art in a number of private collections.  


Education

P.G.C.E. 2004 Secondary Art, Goldsmiths College, University of London, England

M. F. A. 2001 Painting, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, England

B. A. 1998 Art, Minor in English, Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky (Cum Laude)


Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024, Elissa Morley, Design Lab, Kittles Furniture, Indianapolis, Indiana 

2022, Dream House, Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky

2019, Dream House, Asbury University Art Gallery, Wilmore, Kentucky

2017, Delights: Bathing in Another World, The Living Arts and Science Center, Lexington, Kentucky

2015, Delights: Bathing in Another World, Ann Tower Gallery, Lexington, Kentucky

2011, Fountain: A Place for Tears, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky

2010-2011, Vision: Things That Fly, Weston Art Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio

2006, Elissa Morley, Tuska Center of Contemporary Art, Lexington, Kentucky


Selected Group Exhibitions

2024, Art. Life. Design: The Way We Live Now, Art League Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI

2024, Dwellings, Art LInk Gallery, Ft. Wayne, Indiana

2024, The Real Teal, Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, Indiana

2024 Art in the Heartland, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

2024 Muse Collective, Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, Kentucky

2010, Alternate Selves, Lexington Art League, Lexington, Kentucky

2010, Drawing On, Tuska Center for Contemporary Art, Lexington, Kentucky

2008, Anonymne, Drawing Exhibition, Berlin, Germany

2007, 50th Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art, Chautauqua, New York

2007, Generation Next, The Loudon House, LexArts, Lexington, Kentucky


Prizes, Awards, Scholarships, Grants, Residencies

2020, Artist Professional Development Grants, Great Meadows Foundation, Lousiville, KY

2009, Artist Enrichment Grant, Kentucky Foundation for Women, Louisville, KY

2007, Roberta and Jack McKibbon Award for Painting, Chautauqua Center for the Visual Arts. NY

2001, The Steer Prize, Slade School of Fine Art, London, England

2001, Young Artist Exhibition Award, St. Anne’s College, Oxford, England

2001, The Gissings Limited Purchase Award, London, England

2000, Travel Bursary (Russia), University College London


Selected Work in Private Collections

Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt, Santa Barbara, CA

Gissings Limited, London, England

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, Cincinnati, Ohio

Ms. Carolyn Sesbeau, New York, New York

Dr. Alyson P. Newton, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Tabitha Zimmerman, Phoenix, Arizona

Mrs. Cathy and Tuck Ferrell, Indialantic, Florida


Reviews


Christine Huskisson, A Delightful Bath, Under Main, March 2015,

https://undermain.art/visual-arts/elissa-morley/


Selena Reder, Movement, Stillness and War, City Beat, Jan 31, 2011

https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/visualarts/article/13012580/movement-stillness-and-war


Shannon Eblen, ‘Drawing On’ Experience, LexGo, Lexington Herald Leader, Jan 14, 2010, https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/visual-arts/article44020506.html





Artist Statement
My work employs translucent materials such as watercolor, layered tracing paper and wax to evoke the atmospheric qualities of light. It often explores my interests in contemplative spaces and interpersonal relationships.

Layering materials both conceals and reveals forms, suggesting dimension and history.  

Small works often lead me to make larger installations or sculptures, but I continually return to the two-dimensional surface.




For pricing and further information about my work, please feel free to contact me at elissarosemorley@gmail.com or use the contact form.