Morag Stokes

Morag was born in 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland, and has lived in Wellington with her family for 10 years. Her artistic career has been a mid life venture, a departure from a background in psychology, social work, and management consultancy. She has an Advanced Diploma in Art and Creativity from Wellington's Learning Connexion and is a Golden Certified Instructor with the New York based Golden Artist Colours company .
Her painting has developed two distinct processes. In both cases, this involves laying paint onto surfaces then selectively removing it by dragging it off, either in lines (drag paintings) or letters (text paintings). The works are developed from the residues left on the edges of the various dragging tools used to remove paint. Pattern and symmetry are the common elements between Morag's painting and photographic work. She is attracted to the pattern making possibilities of paint – its material qualities and how it behaves on different surfaces. This leads her to work mainly with abstract ideas, but she also enjoys making art which sits on cross cultural boundaries. Her Scottish heritage has found expression in works influenced by Maori and Pacific Island art, as well as that of indigenous Australia.
She has been regularly exhibiting her work for the past 7 years and it has found homes in NZ, the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and China. She is currently represented by the Gilberd Marriott gallery in Wellington and is a regular exhibitor with the NZ Academy of Fine Arts and Wellington Artists Group (WAG).

In 2010 Morag was certified as an Artist Educator with New York based Golden Artist Colors Ltd. and currently runs workshops from her studio using the latest in acrylic products, . She also works as a Contract Tutor at Pablo’s Studio and ROAR gallery, Wellington.