The art of abstract: how an artwork can transform a space

When Sydney-based artist Lee J Morgan starts a new artwork, the canvas is coated with a solid colour. “I then run my hands physically over the canvas and feel the energy, which is usually coming from within. All of my artworks start with my hands, and then I work into it with different tools, whether it be spatulas, palette knives, or brushes, and I’ll blend all the different colours,” she says. 

It’s little wonder that a common observation of Lee’s work is the movement and energy each canvas evokes.

While abstract artworks are often believed to be about taking a form and breaking it down – such as transforming a landscape, portrait or still life into a more fluid interpretation – for Lee, it’s about finding form in the process, not necessarily taking something apart. 

However, each piece starts in the same way: defining the mood. 

“I like creating work that is specifically designed to make a space feel good. Some artists paint because they want to make a statement, they want to bring attention to a cause, or capture a fleeting moment. I paint to bring joy to a space. I want to create beautiful artworks that complement interiors and make you feel like there is an energetic reminder of the beauty that surrounds us,” shares Lee. 

For a bedroom, it might be about creating a work  that’s calm and soothing. In a hallway, there’s often the opportunity to evoke drama, and in a living room, you might want an artwork that’s a point of interest – and becomes a talking point. 

After deciding on the mood, the next step is choosing the colours and style to bring the emotion to life.

While a selection of beautiful artworks is always available to purchase directly from Lee’s website, this process is often a collaborative process with clients and designers to create custom designs.

“Commissions are so personal, and my process for how I like to do these is unique,” says Lee. 

After the details of the space have been shared, and the size and orientation chosen, paint swatches in the colours that are proposed for the artwork are sent to the designer or the client before any paint touches the canvas. 

“It’s very difficult to digitally look at colour. It’s easy to have a blue that’s too cool or too warm, and my philosophy is all about ambience and creating a mood – you’ve got to make sure those colours really sing.”

By providing colour swatches, either in person or sent to the client if they’re not local, the colour can be experienced in the space. 

“This particularly helps to make sure the proposed background colour, which is usually quite dominant in my pieces, is going to fit with the space. 

“It’s a really collaborative process, and it’s so personal, too, because if the client tells me they want something really calming, then when I'm painting that piece, I’ll be creating that environment so that energy comes through. Often I’ll look at a piece on completion and I can see what was coming through on the canvas. That helps with how the piece is named, the story behind the piece, and it all comes to life.”

Collaborating to create custom artwork for interiors is a favourite part of Lee’s practice, whether it’s bringing a piece to life that’s inspired by another of her recent designs, or informed by a project’s brief. 

“I want designers and clients to feel comfortable about reaching out because it is such a lovely process we can go through together. You have to fall in love with an artwork, and for me, that is the same whether you’re creating a commercial space or a residential space. You’ve got to think about the artwork selection in terms of the mood you want to create and how you would like people to feel.”

An accomplished abstract artist with a passion for creating large-scale works, Lee J Morgan uses the finest acrylic paints on canvas to bring colour and movement to residential and commercial spaces. Her original artworks can be purchased on ArchiPro, or reach out to her to start the collaborative commission process for a piece made to fit your space.