T. Morriss

Artist Biography

Trish Morriss was born in Houston, Texas, in 1964.  She spent her childhood watching in awe as her mother, Rheta, painted portraits, landscapes, and still life on canvas.  By the age of five, Trish toted a cigar box full of crayons wherever she went.  Drawing and coloring were her favorite hobbies. 

In 1997, while recovering from breast cancer, Rheta retired to the North Georgia Mountains and began tole painting.  Inspired by this art form, Trish painted alongside her mother when she visited her on weekends.  Although much of her time was devoted to painting “Welcome” signs for her neighbors, one of Rheta’s favorite subjects was angels.

One weekend, Trish and Rheta entertained the idea of painting wooden folk art angels together.  Before they could begin, however, Rheta was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  She lost her battle several months later.

In honor of her mother, Trish began creating wooden angels and entitled them “Rheta’s Angels”.  She also started painting colorful cats in memory of her loving feline, Sadie, who lost her battle with cancer as well.  Trish donates one third of the proceeds from her sales to the American Cancer Society.  It is her way of honoring the memory of her precious mother and cat, blessing others, and keeping Rheta’s legacy alive.