Morel Bio Coors 2026
J Chris Morel is a landscape artist living and painting in Northern New Mexico just off the “High Road to Taos” in Vadito NM. For over 30 years Chris has made it his life’s work to honor and paint the unparalleled beauty of his homeland here in NM. This includes, but not limited to, the historic northern NM villages, Taos, Colorado, Utah and throughout the West drawing inspiration for his work.
Morel skillfully captures the essence of the evolving contemporary West in his paintings. His training as an artist began at Towson University in Maryland, later working as an illustrator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin TX. He began his full-time career as an easel painter in 1988 in Austin. In 1994 Morel and a young family moved to New Mexico discovering his new home and ultimate subject matter in the Sangre de Cristo mountains where he continues to paint to this day. His home and studio are nestled in the beautiful valley of the Rio Pueblo de Picuris in what we locals call “Las Mochas” just south of Taos.
Morel finds inspiration and guidance from the legacy of great painters of the area. He excels at discovering moments of light, creating compelling compositions and rendering ordinary sights into extraordinary paintings. Morel’s work is represented in Santa Fe by Nedra Matteucci Gallery, in Taos at Chimayo Trading Company, the Shaun Horne Gallery in Crested Butte, CO and the Morel Studio Vadito NM.
Recent Shows/Events/Awards
2026 Coors Western Art Show Denver CO
2025 Awarded “Master” member status “Plein Air Painters of New Mexico”
2025 “Plein Air Painters of America” Group show Crested Butte CO July 2025
2024 Nedra Matteucci Gallery “Lifetime of Learning” show June 21-July 13
2024 Buffalo Bill Museum Cody WY Patrons Ball
2024 “Small Works Great Wonders” Exhibit…National Cowboy Museum OKC
2023 “Plein Air Painters of America” Couse/Sharp Museum Taos NM Oct 2023
2023 Became Board Member of PAPA “Plein Air Painters of America”.
2023 “Plein Air Crested Butte” Invited Artist, CB Arts Center, August 2023
2023 “AIS American Impressionist Society National Show August 2023
2023 “Oil Painters of America” National Show Charleston SC
2022 “AIS American Impressionist Society” “Best of Show” 2nd Annual AIS Associate Member Online Exhibition.
2022 “Small Works Great Wonders” Exhibit…National Cowboy Museum OKC
2022 “Booth Western Art Museum, GA “Plein Air Painters of America” Exhibit
2022 “Nedra Matteucci Gallery” All artist show July 15 2022
2022 ”Plein Air Magazine Salon Award for Morel’s painting “Couse House Poppies”
2022 ”Plein Air Convention “Annual Top 25 Painting Award for 2022”
2022 “Plein Air Magazine” Cover Artist and feature article Dec/Jan 2022
2021 “Plein Air Painters of NM” National Show “Best of Artist Members”
2021 “Oil Painters of America” Spring Showcase Award Winner
2021 Became Signature Member of PAPA “Plein Air Painters of America” group.
2021 “Live with Eric Rhoads” 1/4/2021 Facebook Youtube live interview and painting demo
2021 “Plein Air Today-Outdoor Painter article about painting New England, January.
2020 Awarded First Place, New Mexico Plein Air Painters 2020 “Fall Color Passages Contest”
2019 “Nedra Matteucci Gallery” One Man Show June 2019
2016 “Nedra Matteucci Gallery” Two Person Show with sculptor Dan Ostermiller
2016 Judge at “Masterworks of New Mexico” Fine art Division, NM State Fairgrounds
2016. “New Mexico Magazine Annual Artist Calendar, NM Dept of Tourism
2014 “Nedra Matteucci Gallery” One Man Show June 2014
2011 “Founders Award” “Maynard Dixon Country Show
2007 “Best of Show, Golden Thunderbird Award” Maynard Dixon Country Show
2006 “Taos Fall Arts Festival” Featured artist
2003 or early 2000’s “Coors Western Art Show” Denver CO
Publications and articles:
Plein Air Magazine, Southwest Art, Western Art and Architecture, Western Art Collector, Art and Antiques. International Artist, Taos Magazine, North Light Publications Art Instruction Books, Art Journey New Mexico coffee table book. “Fine Art Connoisseur “Santa Fean, New Mexico Magazine” and Taos News Tempo.
Galleries:
Nedra Matteucci Gallery Santa Fe NM, Chimayo Trading Company Taos NM, Shaun Horne Gallery Crested Butte CO and Morel Studio Vadito/Taos NM
