Urban Beauties - Artist Statement

 

Ah, city life! There are so many things I love about urban living, but what I'm really crazy about is the array of vibrant personalities that live in the city. To me the urban environment offers a constant parade of distinctive, colorful human imagery and it is this ever-evolving display of unique urban beauty that often distinguishes the city dweller from their rural or suburban cousins. This individuality and expressiveness is what inspires me as an artist to create my "Urban Beauties."

For this series, I look for and draw upon the distinguishing characteristics of urban beauty to create my own cast of personalities that reflect and celebrate the unique charisma and allure of city dwellers.

I began this oil on canvas series in 2003 and continue to find inspiration to create these fun, funky characters, allowing me to bring new personalities to canvas, adding colorful new dimensions to this cast of characters all the time. My wish is that they may bring a smile to your face and happiness to your heart.

 

Artina Morton is an artist living in the Glen Park district of San Francisco. She pounds salt for a living to pay the art bills, but is determined to become a full-time artist before all that salt pounding drives her stark raving mad.