Photos by Sammie Saxon

COLUMBUS ARTIST EDDIE NORRIS’ PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS AND HIS YEARS OF STUDY AND EXPERIENCE HAVE ENHANCED HIS ABILITY TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING STILL LIFE, LANDSCAPES, SEASCAPES AND SPORTING ART. HIS LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS IS EVIDENT IN THE RICH COLOR AND TEXTURE OF HIS HUNTING SCENES AND PAINTINGS OF BIRD DOGS AND FLUSHING QUAIL.

Eddie Norris took his first art lesson at the age of 6 and has been painting and studying art ever since. Eddie retired from a banking career on December 31st 1999, having worked for 36 years with Synovus Financial Corp. He began his career in Columbus, moving to Valdosta as president and CEO of First State Bank & Trust Co. in 1982. Upon retirement he and his wife Ann returned to Columbus. Eddie sat down with SVM to talk about his love about the outdoors, his inspiration, and how he communicates through his art.

What motivated you to get into painting and how old were you when you started? My mother thought I had a natural artistic talent when I was 6 years old. My drawing on my bedroom walls motivated her to enroll me in art school. At age 7 or 8 I was taught art by Tony Mani, father of local artist Gloria Mani. From a very early age I was fascinated with colorful paintings and art. I am sure this early exposure initially inspired me to get fully into art at a later time.

Your paintings are mainly about wildlife and the outdoors. What attracted you the most about this subject? I guess you could say I am mainly a wildlife artist, but I enjoy painting many subjects. I paint landscapes and still life in addition to wildlife. My attention to wildlife comes from my enjoyment of outdoor activities, such as hunting and fishing. Trying to capture a flushing covey of quail with a dog painting is a challenge and I am motivated to put this scene on canvas or paper.

As far as other subjects, many ideas come from travel in the US and different countries I have visited. Recently Ann and I went to Cape Cod and I did a series of paintings of lighthouses along the shore. I also did paintings after a trip to Maine, which included some harbor scenes as well as lighthouses.

Is there someone special who has encouraged your work and your path as an artist, if yes, who and how have they? Encouragement comes from many sources including my mother who first saw some artist talent in me.

Additionally, my wife Ann has been the most supportive person ever. Local artists including Barbara Pound, Wyndell Taylor and a 3rd grade teacher at Wynnton school Mary Goddard. I have studied with many nationally known artists through the years. I went to the Springmaid Watermedia workshop at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina for a week for 12 years. Notability, I spent 2 years under the guidance of Robert Abbott, who is internationally known as one of the best wildlife artists.

Where do you get the inspiration for your artwork? Inspiration comes from life experiences which include hunting, fishing and travel. Visiting museums and art galleries also provide inspiration to be able to capture a subject. A subject that might push me to a new level of expertise, however I don’t need much external inspiration because I simply love painting.

What are you trying to communicate with your art? In a wildlife painting I want to tell a story that will cause the viewer to relive a similar experience or wish they could experience the scene in the painting.

What are your favorite museums and/or galleries? There are so many great museums including our own in Columbus. The Columbus Museums has a great collection that all of us are very proud of. Other museums of note that I have enjoyed are the Louver in Paris, The Tate in London and the museums in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am not sure I can say which one was my favorite, but all are great museums.

Outside of your art, what are your interests and how do you like spending your time? At age 82 I still enjoy hunting, fishing and traveling, but nothing can compare with the enjoyment I receive from being with friends and family. I also spend a lot of time at my farm in Alabama. We plant annual crops that attract wild game and we do a lot of hunting and fishing during the various seasons.

I'm proud to be the one who started “Spring into Art Exhibition” in Valdosta, Ga. It is a show that has continued for 35 years or more. We lived in Valdosta from 1982 until I retired from Synovus in 2000 and then returned to Columbus.