Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Friday, May 30, 2008

William Arnold, P-I Movie Critic

The perfectly titled "Creative Nature" is flat-out the best documentary study of a contemporary artist I've seen in three decades of SIFF. It's an informative, inspiring, visually exhilarating profile of William Morris, the California-born, Seattle-based, Dale Chihuly protégé who is now largely considered the world's foremost glass artist.

Director John Andres has somehow persuaded the camera-shy, movie-star-handsome Morris to open himself up completely and not only reveal the intimate thought processes and methodology of his work but to eloquently communicate his whole Zen-like vision of life. The movie shrewdly shows us how Morris -- a hiker, climber and all-around outdoorsman -- channels his love of the natural world into the art of glass, and manages to tell the whole amazing story of Seattle glass art, the rise of the Pilchuck Studio and Morris' 30-year transformation from truck driver to master glassblower.

www.sunvalleymag.com

The UrbanGlass Art Quarterly
Fall 2008 issue

Freeze Frame
By Benjamin Lozovsky

Excerpts from the article:

“Nothing, on the other hand, seems ordinary about Morris in Creative Nature. Part unfettered wild man, part somber philosopher; Morris is in search of the unconventional as part of his quest to connect to an imagined ancient history that he idealizes through his art and life. Morris’ philosophy of life seems to be one of constant exploration, internal reexamination, and spiritual growth. No less driven, Morris explores the natural world as intensely as the glass studio. This is apparent in scenes of Morris’ shirt-less adventures in the wild, as well as in his dynamic with his own team members. The scenes in the studio have a wide-eyed quality to them, focusing heavily on the ethereal glow of the furnace and the intricate hotworking techniques pioneered by Morris and his team.”

Seattle Weekly Pick
May 28, 2008

By Frank Paiva

This documentary will thrill casual art fans. The movie is full of fascinating studio scenes in which Morris and his crew cut, shape, and manipulate molten glass as if it were safe and easy.

On Screen Magazine
Spring/Summer 2008 issue

Breaking Through
By Molly Norris

Excerpts from the article:

“Morris seems constantly on the move, jogging through hills early mornings scantly clad, paragliding, swimming with sharks, spear fishing, and scaling cliffs. This doesn’t include the action in the hot shop when he hoists molten glass and steel-blowing pipes from furnace to the work bench and back.” “Themes of integrity, intuition, nature, fame, and thinking for yourself to solve your own problems, weave throughout Creative Nature.”

John J. Archibald
Publisher
Quachitalife

“Creative Nature - an equally unique documentary film -- a documentary film like no other you have ever seen.”