self portraits..examining self blah blah blah

I hardly ever take a self portrait..it's a bit odd really to look at the results of yourself through a lens..That couldn't be me etc..but i was at my studio the other day at lunch and decided to turn the camera on myself instead of my art

Feeling a little introspective and contemplative at 7 am..Soon off to work..I so enjoy these quiet moments..just me..my coffee.. the fire and darkness enveloping the room..an occasional cat on lap and scrap with cat on cat..and the moment is broken and on I go..

languishing in January

a little "Audrey" collage fashioned at a workshop I led last week...

" the Twerp" has grown....

Ned-ley totally settled...and constantly causing a ruckus

Nala..peaceful bliss

towel cat Gus..

..Well not exactly..the cats are anyway..How is it that we always manage to muddle and struggle through January with all it's darkness and ice..But the thaw and renewed life is worth the chill..or so I keep saying.

Blah january Blah

small mixed media paintings..studio sale..

tranquil white and grey

frost patterns on the windshield

Yes deep in the darkness of winter we somehow find beauty and reason to plod on

A few distractions

Starting to settle in to my space...

Ii am trying to concentrate on getting back to the new old studio to make art again..

Beautiful winter....but the chill seems stuck in my bones!

ahhhh winter..lofty thoughts

Winter is illuminating..Causes me to pause and ponder..pay attention to the spaces ( I have so few spaces now I must capitalize on them)
I often worry and fret and wonder if I am using up to much energy with my impossible angst. So many things out of one's scope and control. The everchanging ever swinging pendulum of life. I think my new year's mantra will be to strive to be completely in the moment and to consciously celebrate the peaceful moments and highs to the fullest.

I moved ..new old Digs

My most recent and abundant studio space was far too large for this full time working girl..teaming with character and soul..yet sadly neglected 5 days of the week..I was fortunate to trade spaces with another amazing creative young woman who requires the space for her voice classes..Ironically it was my original space! So I lugged and dragged and packed and discarded..until 3 rooms fit back into one..It was like coming home...More creativity to follow..

very merry post Christmas thoughts

early morning pre sunrise..the Christmas lights are twinkling and winking outside on our porch..the darkness still enfolds us..A peaceful day with my tiny family yesterday makes me feel calm and ready to trek down to the Big Smoke with my daughter today. our rhythms yesterday were perfect.no bickering evident ..and even some humour and cuddle time..Our gifts were simple..dinner delicious ..salmon infused with fresh local garlic..dill and lemon and a fluffy romantic comedy movie to end the day with a smile and a sigh.

I am in a calm place right now..may it linger ..

merry catmas..

merry catmas..
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

Ned in pleasant reverie..It's been a peaceful day..lazy ,languishing with plenty of divine snacking for fur and human family..

outside..dec 25th..brrrrr

outside..dec 25th..brrrrr
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

the view outside our window

oh winter

So long dear Mills

Sam when she was a little younger ....

a new painting..

snow inc..

Yep it's here..I somehow managed to get my lights up in the nick of time and our dear snowblower is truly performing like a dream ..Stephen is quite keen to prove it's prowess and I am a little intimidated..but bound to start 'er up on my own! The job is going well.I seem to be managing 5 days of commitment without too much sense of loss..although snow day on Friday was a relief to just be home and still.

On a sad and mournful note we lost our dear calico Millie to cancer..and she was loved and will be missed deeply.

my daughter ..altered for art's sake

my daughter ..altered for art's sake
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

my little brother and I ...

my little brother and I ...
Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

some new works..of my own family and history for a change

How did it get so Chaotic?

This week just got a little more busy then I had intended..trying to get myself tucked in early at night to reserve energy..

Luckily new workplace is calm and quite warm and inviting.It's just the life that I need to fit into the little spaces in between. With dark setting in so early I don't have time i would like to have with my outdoor critters-and pots have been mischievious with their escape plots so I must keep them in until i can mend their fences !I lost another hen this week to the $%#(* cornfield ! and fox? I won't free range them next year if corn is planted again..too risky and sad!

On a very positive note..visiting daughter in Guelph this Saturday..and showing and selling my art in Local Artsy Christmas show on Sunday..

November to remember

An eventful month indeed..thank goodness for a little sunlight to inspire faith in the universe! Between vet and car bills our wallets are spinning and almost levitating ..Incredibly enough I am enjoying full time work and treasuring my weekends..Hank and Winston have plotted and achieved various escapes into the not so glorious and bleached out cornfield..filling their potbellies with an abundance of dry corn..I think I have finally outwitted them ..but who knows?! Lucky they are driven to remain close by for their nightly gluttonous feed! last night at 2am I received a call from my daughter who screamed into the phone and promptly hung up..Imagine my hysterics? She texted me soon after to say she had dialed the wrong number,sorry,and had not in fact screamed at all ! A bad dream perhaps? hmmmm..her social life is definitely more hopping then mine.but I appreciate when my lovely REM is not interrupted for folly and mayhem!.ahh long distance parenting!

Well still presnow here although we also purchased our first snow thrower ..so bring it on!

November ..trying to unblah myself despite unsettled weather

A turbulent fall indeed..errant flu bugs abounding..neverending rain..mud city in pig's run..and huge hailstones today..egads what next? At least we ordered our snowblower!

starting to merge found objects into my art graciously/kindly donated by a dear artist friend