Enough is Enough!

Ok.. I 've had it with snow..So I waxed poetic about how pretty and pristine it was and blah blah blah..Finally I have reached my limit..It's time for that lovely white fluffy stuff to melt away like the wicked witch of the west..My boots today did not withstand the moisture..finally the boot spray has worn thin..soaked cold feet all day long..slip sliding away on the slushy sidewalk and frankly I am tired of my dull brown coat and sensible black hat with flaps..But tonight..ahh a sunset with the promise of golden days ahead..I could peek beyond the 20 foot piles and imagine...

poetry is..art..is poetry

Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

I am taking part in a poetry-art project where the poet creates a poem from a painting of mine and..this is my art inspired by her poem! To be featured in an exhibition this Spring...

February blahs turn to colour

Originally uploaded by heathermurrayart

a few new pieces to chase away the blahs/blues..better than a light box!

February the month of love

the new digs...a lounge of sorts
ahh...space...
the windows are large and generous..
a spot for all things wonderful

I am feeling ready for more sun and light...Stormy weather has made an indoor slug of me .The past few weeks have left us with more indoor than outdooor as the roads and field have been to difficult to navigate without snowshoes (definitely putting them on my list for next winter!) Trying to walk when I can ..always ready to play with dogs outside ..make my rounds to chicken cooop etc..even the cats are sniffling the cold air and refusing to stick a paw into it...On the other hand I have been busy with art..Just picked up remaining paintings form Thornbury "Rural Lovelies Show" ..I feel quite encouraged by my sales-7 paintings in total sold...yea!.and well supported by my Owen Sound people also :-)who braved weather to attend opening reception ..This month I will teach art (or rather facilitate projects !) with elementary students at a local school for their elective classes..This is always a rejuvenating experience as through their expresssion -art is indeed transformational! I also have my art hanging at The Owen Sound Artist Co-op for one year..and am excited to showcase my work there..

My next big news is ..I have moved to a larger studio! I am sooo thrilled to be in a larger space to accommmodate my paintings and suitcases of ephemera..it will be interesting to see how my work evolves there as it is a quirky place(still in courthouse) which I believe once was a a passageway in this 1850's structure for prisoners from court to jail..Although I must drive there from home..it provides me with a separate space to ruminate and create..so far a succesful formula..i just might go there today and see what happens..light a candle and put on my old record player....

cleaning cleansing ..studio makeover

It was time that I buckled down to picking up sweeping scraps upon scaps of paper ..shoving ephemera not currently needed behind a curtain and making room for new creative endeavours to germinate ..as well as my new found red chair..which was left in hall for someone to claim..

art reception..Rural Lovelies launch

It looks like a very austere reception..but I chose to take photos/post only images without guests as I wasn't sure who wanted to be online..It was actually a magical event ..with quite a few of my local supporters/patrons and very gratifying sales and affirmation ..Stephen ,my partner was the bartender which smoothed things for me considerably..and the art council handled sales..I was so very pleased about the whole outcome..a little nervewracking initially..but totally worth it :-)

rattie family expands

tumble
Nala from her cozy cage top vantage point

Olive checking out bathroom soap.".hmm Dove..does it live up to it's advertising claims?"
olive
georgie girl
olive "scaling" me

We adopted Georgie ..a sweet female rattie on Christmas Eve..from a well loved family home..She is extremely gentle and affectionate in nature and has merged with Olive and Maude quite seamlessly. After tentative initial introductions...the girls are all sleeping together in their communal hammock,eating oatmeal and banana in a.m ..

contentment

the coop
SN-Owen eating snow
another painting for disappearing historic places series
Aa little 4 inch Square art for Tom Thomson show

Almost Christmas..put on my James Taylor Christmas CD and appreciated his warm,mellow and soothing take on a few classics..The dogs seem rejuvinated by the cold outside-and the cats frolic,hiss,slide through wrapping paper and nap for extended periods..stretched out over furniture like furry throws. The chickens eagerly await (or so I presume by their chatter when I arrive) my treats of sunflower seeds,oatmeal and raisins..today I offered a pomegranate..which was received with enthusiam..I will spend a little time later at the art studio in town..readying for a solo show in January..but for now it's cozy right here..think I will make myself a hot tea...

let it snow

When it snows outside..the indoors beckon..pares everything down to what is essential and peaceful..the world tumbles a little more slowly..

on early snowstorms,driving and white knuckles

I continue to fret about chickens..although they seem content with layered straw and heat lamp
the outside of coop ..
morning ..after the storm..
the grey whiteness of today..

Feeling a little less enamoured with stark beauty..when the bully wind/snow storm tumbles over the hills..having to drive in this fury makes my wrists and fingers sore and tense..Squinting to see with my wiper blades thrashing highspeed ..competing with monster flakes that splat on glass..obscuring my precious view. An Amish horse and buggy clip clop by..It must be frosty and cold as pink cheeks indicate..but doesn't it make more sense?

Last week a vision lept in front of my headlights (despite deer whistles..alas..) 7 feet from bumper and moving so sinuously across our sideroad I had to gasp out loud.The fawn...How our fates nearly met..How tragic it would be to injure or kill such a majestic creature ?. Escape,the near miss was divine.

Today I grumpily snoozed inside..read in front of fire..languished until I could no longer stand it and went outdoors to sniff the white grey cool air and move my atrophied muscles..ahhhhh