Animals are magic. From the wild beasts that inspire and awe, to the companion creatures who share our homes and hearts, humans have a soul-deep need to remember, reconnect, and remind ourselves we are, in fact, animals too. The critters who share our space are crucial to this connection with our deeper selves. Their presence is a balm to the chaotic and relentless hustle of modern life.  They ask us to slow down, observe, release anxiety and simply be present with them in this moment, here, now.  At turns challenging and delightful, but never judgmental, these are some of the most genuine, easy, healthy, and joyful relationships we will ever experience. They are there for us in the worst of times, and facilitate some of the best.

Here I lay in the sunshine with not a care in the world, won’t you join me for a purr? 

Fresh air, frolicking, and endless adventures to embrace, won’t you take me for a walk in nature? 

This work seeks to capture the spark of these magical beings on canvas with a unique, vibrant portrait of the animals that mean the world to you: a present (for yourself or a loved one) to honor their presence in your life as a lasting reminder to be present in your life, here, now.

Email: hello@ginajmorris.com

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a BA in Dance in 2003, Gina went on to become the Assistant Artistic Director and a Principal Dancer/Soloist with Mehtropolis Dance Theatre. Previously a Principal Dancer with the Northwest Ballet Company and an accomplished professional performing artist for over 25 years, Gina has performed, taught, and choreographed for many wonderful organizations such as The Young People’s Theatre Project, Broadway Rose Theatre, A-WOL Dance Theatre, Telegraph Arts, and The Portland Opera.

In 2005, Gina moved to Portland, Oregon to began teaching and performing and soon after started her first business, the Scarlet Oak Candle Co. Officially enthralled with entrepreneurship from then on, she took the leap into brick and mortar with her best friend and business partner, Celestial Sipes, to become co-founders/owners of the independent boutique and gallery space, Radish Underground, which thrived in Downtown Portland’s West end for ten years from 2008-2018.

Gina honed her entrepreneurial skill set along with gallery curation, visual merchandising, and public relations throughout this time, while simultaneously producing and teaching a variety of creative professional development workshops for the artists and makers at Radish as well as for organizations such as Etsy, I Heart Art, the Small Business Development Center. Seeking to strengthen the community around the store, Gina became the co-founder of the West End Marketing Co-Op and WEPDX.com, officially branding and elevating this vibrant neighborhood to the must-visit destination in the city it continues to be today.

Throughout these years Gina continued to hone her visual art skills creating elaborate monthly window displays, designing marketing materials, launching three in-house jewelry lines she personally designed and hand-made, and even a side gig painting sets at Portland Center Stage.

Gina achieved unexpected worldwide internet fame in the first Live Lip Dub Proposal (click here—> Isaac’s Live Lip Dub Proposal). Otherwise known as "The Girl in the Red Dress", Gina choreographed this viral video sensation which has over 35 million views online, and was named in the Top 10 of 2012 lists of Time, CNN, The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed just to name a few. A truly magical experience for everyone involved!

Stepping out of daily operations at Radish to continue their mission supporting independent creative professionals, in 2013 Gina became the founding Director of BridgeLab at Pacific Northwest College of Art where she built PNCA’s first entrepreneurial development and resource center for artists. From there she went on to teach The Business of Art at the Oregon College of Art & Craft, teach creative professional development workshops, provide creative small business consulting services, and continued teaching an annual master class series in dance to the Resident Artists at the Portland Opera. She also gave birth to the magnificent being that is her daughter and started the most creative and exciting adventure yet.

Gina has been a public speaker in NYC, Portland, Vancouver BC, and has been featured as a creative small business expert on Creative Genius Portland, KXL RadioActive Talk, SoloProRadio. In 2015, Gina served as Committee Chair and Emcee for the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s annual Entrepreneurial Summit.

Since moving to Alaska, Gina has taught private painting classes, served as the Director of the Downtown Business Association, and worked as a Program Officer for the Juneau Economic Development Council.

She is thrilled to get back to her roots and her passion as a working artist.