Artist Patrick J. Moran opened the Moran784 studio/gallery at 784 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach on June 7, 2001, to the sweet strains of Mama Sutra, World Anthem, and End of August. The Grand Opening was a truly kickin' party, with live music, body painting, and a blacksmith accompanying oodles of art.

I met Moran because 784 South Coast Highway is between my house and downtown Laguna, and so I'd been walking by his gallery for weeks, admiring the colorful paintings. One evening as my partner and I were walking home, Moran invited us in. I expressed my admiration for a painting of a Siamese cat, which turned out to be a touched-up print of an original, and thus almost reasonably priced for our means. We walked the rest of the way home debating the painting, and Moran in general, resolved to go to his gallery opening the next week. (See Agatha Christie for more on how we were eventually sold on the cat.)

As mentioned before, Moran's art is colorful and eye-catching. His sketchbooks reminded me of Kyle Baker, and in fact, it turned out he has done work in comics.

Artist's Official Bio

Patrick, Joseph, Moran, the Third, was born September 17th 1969 in Hackensack N.J.
Name translation: noble, God will increase, light in darkness.

After watching a documentary on Walt Disney, Moran was inspired to learn how to hold a pen and draw at age three.

At age 3 he dropped out of Nursery School due to: "creative differences".

Since that early age, he has always been recognized as someone with artistic ability.

He has received recognition and awards from Kindergarten till he graduated from High School.

He began taking college courses at the School of Visual Arts during his sophomore year.
In his senior year of High School he wrote and illustrated a series of comic books entitled; TUNESIA published by CA comics. This comic is now published by Radio Comix in the Furrlough books.

In 1989 he began to study under Col. Prof. David J. Passalacqua at Parson's School of Design, and Walt Disney World Florida.

Later that year, he began working for Encyclopaedia Brittanica where he was creating art and animation for CD-Rom encyclopedias, and educational software. Thanks to Harold Kessler, his remaining education was financed through Encyclopaedia Brittanca. He then existed bi-coastally for five years on a work/study program; his favorite airline still remains Delta.

He continued to work in computer software, creating games and animation, until 1999 when he retired. He now teaches computer animation at the Art Institute of Southern California.

In the year 2000 he was re-located to Laguna Beach by Wyland to work on animation.

Thanks to the community of Laguna Beach, and to a series of small miracles, (for which the artist wishes to thank St. Jude) he now has a Fine Art Gallery/Studio in the year of 2001.

The artist wishes you a warm welcome to attend the Grand Opening of the Moran784 Fine Art gallery in Laguna Beach on June 7th 2001.

The artist wishes to thank the following people for their help:
Ann Moran, Thomas Anderson, Walter Kotterheit, Mrs. Credick, Fredrick Heidloff, David J. Passalacqua, Margaret Hurst, Pam Whidden , Shel Dorf, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Julia Butterfly Hill, Frank Mc Iterian, Charles M. Shultz, George Catsoras and Walt Disney.

Blessings

—from the invitation to the Grand Opening of the Moran784 Gallery.

Sources: personal contact with artist, www.moran784.com