We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dre Morris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dre, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was a painting depicting a Cowboy featured at my favorite art gallery in Austin, TX, Richesart Gallery during Black History month 2022. This painting wasn’t that of any Cowboy, but was in fact a black man in the common garbs that distinguishes the western folklore. Not only was this my first art piece to be showcased all over local news stations and publishing houses, but it garnered attention to my brand and business that no other art piece had done for me before.

I also had the opportunity to talk to a group of young black boys about its true meaning, discussing how black slaves called “boys” were responsible for shepherding the wild cattle of Texas from destroying the farms and homes. Explaining how we have always been the caretakers of the land in the absence of its natives, especially in Texas. Seeing the impact it had on both the youth and elders shed a light on issues that I thought would remain in the dark.

Hearing and seeing how compelled people felt by this project, it empowered me as an artist to utilize my art as a tool to tell more untold, unheard and unsung stories about the local communities i not only lived in, but look forward to serving.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Community is everything to me. I choose to use my creativity to enlighten the community through shedding a light on untold, unheard and unsung stories I’ve encountered along my life journey. As of late, those stories have been about my journey across the United States as a black adult male. Showcasing how the light can be found in the darkness is the overall theme of my work. By utilizing neon/fluorescent color pallets into other earthy acrylics on wood, canvas or a 3D models present altering perspectives, depending on the light shed upon them,

My stylistic influences are from East African tribes such as Kenya and Tanzania, as well as South East Asian tribes and warriors from the Philippines and Japan. Drawn by the styles and stories from these regions, I’ve incorporated modern and historic themes as a means I’ve personally encountered or heard from others during my travels.

My tools include 3D printing, graphic design, animations, murals and performing live traditional art. However, I’m currently on a journey to learn, know and do more creative projects with other creatives seeking to make a positive impact around the world.

I have a decade of experience developing brand identity systems, designing local magazines, newspapers and providing marketing strategies for my clients. While my current passion is animations and 3D printing, I also enjoy live painting for charities and events as well as initiating marketing campaigns for start ups, non-profits, seasoned businesses or corporate organizations.

Ambitious, driven, flexible, timely and consistent are my strongest attributes. I am a clear, friendly communicator accustomed to working in a fast pace, transparent environment that is solution driven, thoughtful and organized. My goal is to DoMorr for the community by facilitating my skills to those committed to making a positive impact on society.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve been reluctant to keep a lot of opportunities I’ve been given, particularly as a live artist. Though management and ownership changes in spaces I entertain have shifted or changed within the past 3 years, I’ve been resilient enough to not allow my personal feelings and/or opinions to steer me off course from losing my position as a professional.

Enlightening the masses through creativity is my goal. I’ve continued on my mission making a difference in all event spaces that believe in making a positive impact as much as I do, so alignment in goals is imperative to my success, All of the relationships in my career have only grown and solidified since persistently sticking to being positive, professional and reliable.

Its very difficult continuing anything started with others who eventually go into other paths, but this further reinforces my intent to make a positive impact; showcasing what can be demonstrated when you engage with the community who will share the light you’ve shed on them.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve found the process of making art to be far more compelling when the studio space and process can be experienced in person. There’s also added value learning about an artists story or a potential connection between artists when they create around one another. My mission is to make traditional live art more accessible and acceptable to experience in any given space that will allow, shedding the light of untold, unheard and unsung stories of tomorrow.

Contact Info:

• Website: domorr.com
• Instagram: @domorrstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domorrstudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-a-morris-44a70a3a/

Image Credits
Flowmagin