2 minute read
PETE MORELEWICZ
from FPFDEC2021
All That Jazz
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When Pete Morelewicz
' s wife Christine took a job at the University of Mary Washington, the two moved from Washington, D.C. to Fredericksburg. That transition prompted Pete to take a gamble on the city with his artistic ambition, selling printwork and freelancing design. Since that day years ago, word about his work set off a whirlwind of local interest.
Previously an art director in Washington D.C., Pete also went to architecture school before his career in graphic design. No wonder Fredericksburg's towers, spires, and other historic fabric made his creative juices swirl.
Pete is a printmaker, illustrator, and designer. He creates paintings, posters, murals, illustrations, greeting cards, packaging, and whatever else may present itself. He is continually inspired by the everyday symphony of shape, color, sound, and texture. His process maintains an element of improvisation so that even he's surprised by the results.
He says he starts with a pencil sketch, leaving space to adjust. Pete said he was once given good advice: "When you go from your sketch to your final, be sure to leave room for the jazz." He liked that concept so much that he uses "jazz" as
Pete Morelewicz
his design work pseudonym: Print Jazz
Using bright, vibrant solid color fields, he depicts various buildings and landscapes around Fredericksburg such as Carl' s, Purina Tower, Kenmore and The Farmer ' s Market..Pete's work has also gained much deserved recognition and admiration across the city of Fredericksburg and nationally. His prints have been featured in national juried exhibits and his work can be found in the permanent collection of the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum.
Reflecting on what it means to be an artist, Morelewicz said he finds food, not shelter, not clothing," he said. "People buy art because it brings them joy. The fact that someone is giving themselves the gift of joy-as an artistfeels awesome."
Pete's work can be seen at his LibertyTown Arts Workshop studio and on www.printjazz.com .
You can see Pete’s latest work at his Solo Show in December where he brings his distinctive graphic canvases to Red Dragon Brewery. "Shadow Casting" includes images interpreting the longshuttered Sylvania cellophane plant. Pete imparts the existing buildings, now quiet and serene, with the energy and vitality they had in their heyday. The art is not so much a catalog of the past, but an interpretation of the spirit of Fredericksburg's industrial heyday.
“Shadow Casting ” Opening Night, December 2, 6-9 9p December 2 - December 31, 2021 Red Dragon Brewery 1419 Princess Anne St, FXBG
something beautiful in the making and selling of art. He calls the process of art one of self-love. "It's not a necessity, not
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