Interview
Morag Pitoscia
Morag is a self-taught artist with a deep passion for creating something out of nothing, Morag develops artwork that resonates with those who experience intense emotions but struggle to express them in words. Her creative process begins with observing people in everyday situations, capturing their energy and translating it onto the canvas. Through her art, Morag releases emotions both for herself and her viewers, offering a powerful way to channel the energy that arises from life’s events. The canvas serves as a space for Morag to express herself freely in a nonverbal manner, delivering a message that speaks volumes. She invites viewers to pause and experience the journey her art provides.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a self taught artist. My journey started about 15 years ago when I was a stay at home mom of two looking for more ways to express and release the energy I had bubbling out of me. I was an exercise junkie for many years and wanted more ways to express my creativity and my voice. I took a painting course for adults in the day and instantly loved what I was able to create from nothing. A blank canvas became vibrant, alive and conveyed what I felt, and, I got a reaction!”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work aims to say, hey, you are alive, you feel, and anything is possible. I stay away from politics, and focus more on beauty, and no division. Just let your body and mind feel something. There is enough coming at people through social media, and tv, so I hope to create a space where people can just be.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I usually plan a lot of my pieces in advance. I might see something in my travels, or something catches my eye anywhere, and I jot it down, and make sure I create something with that vision. as I am working on a piece some things can happen by chance. I call this a beautiful mistake.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I am not really following any trends. I take bits and pieces from old and new and piece things together. I am always fascinated by artists that had the courage to express their deepest thoughts and make an impact on the world.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“My process includes a clean organized space first and foremost. a clean calm environment is essential. Then, I begin to make a mess. Most times, I free hand my outline of the object I will create, then form my colour palette, then probably walk away a zillion times, procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate, then I start to apply paint to brush to canvas. This usually leads to a nice flow state, and before I know it hours go by and some pieces can take days, some take months. depends on where I want the painting to go and what's going on around me.”
“My work aims to say, hey, you are alive, you feel, and anything is possible.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art means I can achieve what I set out to do and it is a jouney. I have a lot to say and I feel a lot, and my art is an outlet for expressing my life, my joys, my heartaches, kinda like a journal. I love that my art making has made me find parts of myself that were hidden, and it also has created incredible bonds with those around me. I have my kids get involved with my creative vision, and my entire circle of family and friends have experienced a part of me and visa versa in this whole creative colourful world.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favourite artwork would have to be this one piece I did years ago. I was feeling many feelings and I got this large piece of canvas, my first big piece and I was alone and I created this face and in this portrait she represented pain but had this power, she was messy but striking, and she looked back at me and it was like she said ‘you got this.’ Ever since then, she hangs in my home and she was right, ‘I got this’ and this is happily ever after.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had the honour of exhibiting my art at my families furniture store, I have displayed my art in local coffee shops, and a local university picked my art for an exhibit on ‘displacement.’ I have volunteered to place some pieces in yoga studios, and condominium lobbies in the city.”
Website: www.moragsart.com
Instagram: @moraglovesart
