welcome season five

swallows and house sparrows building their nests, vocal as can be as I walk back and forth from studio to shop and shop to studio. painted trim and the new window box display for outdoor prints today. the sun hitting my back, warming my body packed inside a fleece. (still not quite warm enough for a t-shirt)

even if rainy, (sometimes sunny) and slow…the first weekend felt like a familiar place I often forget soothes me. its hard to see through the veil of deep winter knowing summer time is around the corner and the streets of rockport come to life.

before summer is in full swing my hours will be mon–wed by chance. chances are high! I'll be in the studio working on two big projects this next month. then thurs–sunday 11–6ish ~ always feel free to call or text to let me know you're coming by.

the back wall is installed with coast to coast paintings mounted on board. each side is painted fluorescent orange — a subtle nod to fisherman coats and lobster traps, which are in my view each day. from left to right they show the transition from san diego back home to rockport through 5x8ish studies of color, light and feeling. most show the view of the valley, but the ones I couldn't finish out there were taken home and completed overlooking the water from my studio. chasing light I missed so much. the glassy water and lavender skies have gotten me through the transition home.

Once Memorial day is behind us, my studio will have events during art walks (second Saturdays) and on random weekends. Will email blast or tell you all by word of course.

Zoma coffee ~~~ free on weekends

THOUGHTS

2/21 My body gets excited with scale every time. Even the process of ripping a huge roll of canvas and layering it with gesso — it's long physical work. It takes time to stretch them and prepare them before any color even begins and I love it.

The fear is something else. It was being in a new environment, with new people, trying to blend in after the comforts of home. It's the quiet question of — what if I'm here and my creative doesn't align? What if the client really only likes a certain set of colors, and I can't deliver? I have to shed all of that — the unfamiliarity, the pressure, the self-doubt — just to get to my magic. And the magic doesn't come on command it really asks for space first. How do I give it space with the pressure I feel?

Others may expect me to go somewhere and paint many paintings, and I'm not like that and never have been. I have maybe six paintings on hand at any given time. A lot of pieces get created as bigger projects for other people's homes, so I'm searching through their eyes and blending it with mine. That's part of the work — holding many visions at once.

To get to this point, I did lots of resting and work in the shop preparing it before I came. I was appointed a big print job in Boston that was due just a couple of days before I left. It felt like a lot just to get here, the physical, the logistical, and the emotional. Now i’m here unfurling and resting in this new place.

2/26 ~ 5 days of painting, it flew by. Truly, it’s like I blinked and now three paintings are in front of me. So that tells me I can trust myself. Things come out naturally, and I have to trust that first, without the voices of clients in my head. The reason people like my work is what comes out naturally. The harder work is remembering those layers and trying to conjure that magic when it needs to come.

2/27/26 solitude solitude solitude

processing a lot of thoughts today… I happen to have long conversations with both of my parents during my time here. It had been months since i’ve talked with either of them. I grew up watching my dad do what I do all day: pacing from one project to the next, sometimes for no one other than himself. Very talented, the kind of person who can make anything with his hands. Life hasn't always made room for those gifts, and watching someone you love circle back to the starting line over and over is difficult…My mother is the quiet force. A reader, a writer, a healer — but she keeps those things pretty close. She has so much to offer and I think she's still figuring out how to let herself offer it.

I am making friends with this feeling of guilt that creeps in when things are going just as I planned. Some part me is waiting for permission to enjoy what I’ve built. So I’m here :) I’m reminded, through some windows in these conversations why I work hard to live out my dreams (which I think are coming true?!). I can stand on someone's hilltop in California and make the work and not apologize for it because what is the alternative? letting the fear win, letting the gifts go quiet ? The gallery, the clients, the friends and community who literally hold me up — we all know it wasn’t just handed over. it takes an enormous amount for artists and small business to survive in these times.

Normally, when I’m visiting the west coast, I'm on the move — seeing friends, tagging along on adventures that they plan, visiting family. This time, I've barely left this one hilltop. And I've realized that when it comes to my own adventure, I don't need to move at all. I need quiet and stillness and cups of coffee, tea and silence. The painting asks for that, and so do I, apparently.

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CALIFORNIA

Since my trip to Utah…

The gallery and studio are closed for winter, and I've been out in California with a couple of painting clients! WOAH! Most of my time has been in Escondido, working on a diptych for clients who are building out their family home thats been standing in the hill tops of San Diego for years. Being here makes the work more alive, and I'm grateful to have this time, and client.

Using oil pastels, prisma color pencils, I’ve been taking in the landscape through drawings before pouring paint.

The last week with Tid-bit the dog has brought both intense cuteness and intense distraction. I love dog-sitting, but I do forget it takes a few days for any dog and any new person to find their rhythm together — He's probably used to waking up earlier, sitting next to his person all day. I'm a gal on the move, pacing room to room gathering materials, hovering over paintings outside, staying up a little too late. After a few days, we found a nice flow… and he’s really REALLY adorable.

This house has pretty much the best setup. It overlooks the valley, and my clients(+friends) set up a 10-foot tent on the back porch so I have that view while I paint. When I first got here, there was a crazy heat wave — unusual and very hot. It felt great coming from frozen Rockport, and the pool helps for cooling down. While I was preparing and gessoing all of my canvases in that heat, I was also sketching ideas and proposals — for the clients I'm living with, and for someone in LA.

Something I wanted to do while out here as well is apply for a residency, and prepare sketches for another client in Gloucester that I'm super excited to share. But one thing at a time.

This time in between — waiting for paint to dry — has created a spaciousness that I don't know if we talk about enough. I’ve needed this solitude for sitting down and accomplishing the computer work, organizing my photos and my life for the gallery and upcoming projects. Applying for residencies lets you do all of that cleanup, even if you don't get accepted. It's such a great excuse to update the website for new eyes. So I sent in an application for a weeklong residency in upstate New York for early June. Since I want this year to be more about painting — painting for me, painting for the gallery — it was important to find something that would let me still work through the summer but give me a new landscape to access new corners of my brain. So, fingers crossed for acceptance, but I'm not sweating it either way. I've updated a lot, and I'm proud of that!

xo for now

UTAH

When I think back to Utah, what I remember most aren’t the wide, postcard views—they’re the small, quiet surfaces. The photos in this post are a handful of my favorite moments with the micro landscapes out there…the way one patch of stone would shift from pale pink to deep rust in just a few inches, or how a crack in the rock would hold a pocket of shadow like ink.

I kept finding myself crouched down, tracing tiny lines of sediment, salt, and sand, watching how color bled and pooled across the rock. Soft greens against burnt orange, chalky whites against almost-purple shadows—little compositions that felt already half like paintings. It reminded me of working on canvas: edges meeting, layers overlapping, one small mark changing the whole surface.

Spending time that close to the ground slowed everything down. Instead of chasing the big view, I let myself follow these textures—the way light slid across a ridge, the way one stone held the memory of water, the way erosion drew delicate patterns over thousands of years. It felt like being inside a sketchbook made of rock.

These images are my way of bringing those tiny moments home: small frames of color and texture that are already seeping into my studio—into the way I layer paint, the way I think about edges, and the way I look for beauty in the in-between spaces.

All works on film are taken by the lovely @adventurelovestory , Sam. <3

New Series

On Saturday, June 14th, I’ll be dropping a new collection of paintings, with a special Opening Reception at the Gallery/Studio from 5-8pm to showcase the collection in person.

This series dives deeper into the imagery of the sea and my surrounding landscape here in Rockport. Expect to see elements like seaweed movement, rocks, and shifting perspectives. I’ve also ventured into using oil paint for the first time, bringing a rich depth to the work.

The collection blends pieces created outdoors with those developed entirely inside. It’s about mark-making, brushstrokes, and meditative movements—pushing the paint around in ways that allow it to speak to me. It’s an intuitive process, where I work with the energy of the day, guiding it with my subconscious to create something new and unexpected.

I’d love for you to join me at the opening to experience the work firsthand!

Wintering + Remembering

Enjoying slow down. Dreaming. Lazing. Thinking. Painting. + Thinking about being on the beach, like in this video… getting eaten alive by flies in the summer heat. Adam and I filmed this for Meeting the Edge at Blochaus in Newburyport- it was filmed on Plum Island.

Fourth Annual Special Olympics Art Auction

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ONLINE ART AUCTION

SECOND SATURDAY + ILLUMINATION NIGHT

https://rockportartists.com/members-portfolio

Join me for the Second Saturday Art Walks! Me and several other artist galleries (click the link above for more information on each!) will be open late every 2nd Saturday of the month this summer! The next one falls on Rockport’s Illumination Night, so it will be magical.

I offer 15% off all prints and wine when you shop 2nd Saturdays. Please, come visit <3

Click below to see a video of the first art walk of the season <3

https://rockportartists.com/news/2024/6/12/video-our-1st-art-walk-june-8-2024

News Letter Sneak PEAK

My first NEWSLETTER is dropping this week with special studio highlights, shop updates and more— pretty much things that have been going on the last 6 months. Click my About page to sign up.

In the meantime, here’s some sneak peak highlights and a special July Mood board showing my recent muses in nature <3

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150 CAMBRIDGE PARK DRIVE MURAL

“MISSI-TUK” 2024

Title: "Missi-Tuk: Urban Estuary" FEB, 2024

Dimensions: 23' x 14'

Medium: Enamel paint & Spray paint

Description:

Nestled near Alewife station in Boston, "Missi-Tuk: Urban Estuary” draws inspiration from its namesake—a "large estuary," mirroring the tidal rhythm of the Mystic River. The mural captures the dance between the cityscape and nature, where bold strokes of blue mimic the water’s pulse against soft, textured backdrops.

Through vibrant blues and subtle oranges the artwork reflects Boston's unique identity—a metropolis intertwined with wildlife reserves and bodies of water that wind through its fabric. This visual ode celebrates the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connection to the vibrant ecosystems that thrive within and beyond the city limits.

https://www.kimberlymaroon.com/ - SHOUT OUT TO THESE LOVELY PHOTOS

THANK YOU/ CYBER MONDAY

Dear Supporters,

Over the past weekend, Morgan Dyer Fine Art celebrated Small Business Saturday by offering 20 % off all prints in the Gallery & Shop. This sale will join the internet for Cyber Monday using code THANKS at checkout.

From my Instagram Post today…..

If these words fall short in expressing my gratitude, I hope that beyond these lines, you feel it in every pursuit, in every ounce of my dedication— the work put into this little Gallery on Bearskin Neck. If you have visited the Gallery & Shop or caught a glimpse into the back studio, my hope is that you left with a sense — a touch of inspiration, or any emotion at all— because of the tremendous support you lend to everything I pursue. 

Thank you deeply for graciously making space on your walls for pieces from the Gallery. Your conversations, encouragement, both small and large purchases, spreading the word, liking my posts, engaging in collaborations, and, of course, sharing a mutual desire for the language I hold dear – it remains truly mind-bending.

An extended thank you is owed to my incredibly talented makers and friends who place their trust in me to represent their work or collaborate in the shop whenever possible. Thank you for joining me in learning and working together to navigate the intricacies of running a storefront.

@erinrwolf  @kevinjlucey @amyvanderels @thesaltycottage @miniatureceramicist 

@houseofroulx @senditstudios (my fam) @artbyalyssa + @steezmagazine 

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I WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE BY OFFERING 20% OFF ALL PRINTS UNTIL DECEMBER 3 at 12pm. USE CODE THANKS AT CHECK OUT.

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Me in the Gallery & Shop - 65 Bearskin Neck Rockport MA

Morgan Dyer Fine Art Studio (left) Gallery & Shop (right)

Napkins

Since I launched the Gallery & Shop back in December 2021, I've put in quite a bit of time sourcing the right materials for these unique hand-painted napkins that suit the changing vibes of Bearskin Neck's seasons. Each napkin is carefully painted with color-safe fabric paint/dye, applied with a brush to create watercolor effects, shapes and transparencies inspired by my original paintings.

I enjoy crafting custom sets, and you can grab them either here on my website or swing by the shop. The story behind these napkins is dedicated to my late Grandmother. She was the maestro of setting up tables for our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, and she passed on all her wisdom to me. This entire project is essentially my tribute to her magical table-setting expertise. 🎨✨

18” x 18” Flour Sack Cotten Squares

Special Olympics - Team John- Donate for Art

Welcome back for another year dedicated to raising funds for the Special Olympics Race For Inclusion in celebration of John McDonald. He was a beloved Special Athlete, gifted human, and best brother ever. All proceeds will be donated to the Race for Inclusion in John's honor.

John would be so proud to participate in this race and to have each and everyone of you helping us to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Special Olympics Florida serves almost 60,000 athletes with ID, providing sports programs, health screenings, and leadership training. Its mission is to ensure people with ID receive the respect and opportunities they deserve. Your generosity makes that possible and helps Special Olympics athletes live richer, fuller lives.

Please consider bidding on some of my pieces & help me raise funds for Team John! My personal goal is 1,000.

Thank you for those who have donated in the past- we hope to grow as each year goes by <3

Intersect I & II printed on canvas and framed. 16” x 20”

John McDonald April 4, 1983 - December 11, 2020

Thank you

Thank you so much to everyone who traveled to my solo show, “meeting the edge” at the Blochaus Gallery in Newburyport, MA.

The opening was wonderful and filled with love.

Special Thanks to Markus Sebastiano of the Blochaus Gallery for hosting me and representing my work.

MY FAVORITE VALENTINE

Celebrate love this Valentine's Day BY checking out

my Favorite prints to celebrate love!

now available with 35% off— a curated selection of pink-toned prints, perfect for spreading love and joy.

This year, I’ve put aside my personal favorites to bring you the ultimate Valentine's Day inspiration under “CELEBRATE LOVE” in the print section of my shop.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a touch of romance to your life. Shop now ~

PLEASE APPLY DISCOUNT CODE: “LOVE” AT THE END OF CHECKOUT

BUBBLE II

from $32.00

Photographic (giclèe) print featuring a small portion of a large-scale painting that highlights a hidden landscapes within. 

Available in sizes 8”x10” and 12”x16” with a .5’’ white border, as well as 16’’x20’’ with a 1’’ white border, Giclee on Moab Entrada 290 GSM paper. 

Captivating compositions that bring the depth and detail of larger artworks into focus, perfect for enriching any space with intrigue

size:

Select size 8x10 12x16 16x20

Purchase

INTERSECT I

California Pop-up

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a December art pop-up on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, CA as a vendor for Junction Marketplace. This was a thrilling experience for me, as I flew all the way from Gloucester, MA to showcase!. My booth was filled with originals and prints that received so much love from visitors. To make the experience even more special, I was honored to set up my display next to my long-time friend and talented artist, Erin Wolf. Together, we displayed our first collaboration project, which was a highlight of the show. PLEASE CHECK out the stunning photographs of the art pieces that Erin and I created, as well as a glimpse of my personal display.

Acrylic paint on wood by Morgan with embellished acrylic shapes added by Erin.

a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to the event. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with you.

Click Here: for another post by Erin about the show
Click Here: for Erin Wolf’s Website

Thank you again for making this experience so memorable and special, Junction Marketplace!

BID FOR A PAINTING

Please consider donating to a good cause.

This online art auction is dedicated to raising funds for the Special Olympics Race For Inclusion in celebration of John McDonald. He was a beloved Special Athlete, gifted human, and best brother ever. All proceeds will be donated to the Race for Inclusion in John's honor.

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John would be so proud to participate in this race and to have each and everyone of you helping us to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Special Olympics Florida serves almost 60,000 athletes with ID, providing sports programs, health screenings, and leadership training. Its mission is to ensure people with ID receive the respect and opportunities they deserve. Your generosity makes that possible and helps Special Olympics athletes live richer, fuller lives.

I have three Items included in the online art auction. You can find all three here.

IMG no. 1: Original 12” x 12” Acrylic Painting on Canvas - Value at $400

IMG no 2: A set of two 16 x 20 Prints - Value at $240

IMG no 3: A canvas print 30”x32” , hand embellished and hand stretched. Value at $900

Online auction ends 10/7/22

GOLDEN HOUR OPENING

Please join me ….

Friday September 16th from 6-8:30pm

to celebrate the completion of my first summer season with the Mini-Gallery on Bearskin Neck.

Light refreshments and some wine will be served, but please bring your own drink if you’d like! Will have ice buckets to keep cold.

I can’t wait to celebrate this with everyone who has contributed to my growth in any way.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.