10. The (personal) choice of creativity!

BIG Dreams and Quiet Ambitions with Heather Murray - The Ageless Artist

“Staying with your creative side and seeking out art making even when life presents many distractions and obstacles.

Making art can be a salve for what ails you…”

Heather Murrary

Hi all,

Happy Sunday!

Welcome back to another Guest Post for my 'Big Dreams and Quiet Ambitions' section here at

Creatively Conscious

I was fascinated to read Heather’s journey and I think you’ll really LOVE her art and the way she connects to process. Heather is 25 years older than me, the same age as my mum actually.

I found her words and view point very inspiring. We can look to “elders” to keep us grounded and have us feeling held; I see it in the way my younger clients look to me and I appreciate Heather’s invitation to a safe place for the over 50s to land here on Substack…

These guest posts are taking a break until Spring time ‘24 but if you wanted to read more in the series you can head here;

https://creativelyconscious.substack.com/s/big-dreams-begin-with-me.

All the stunning art in this article is ©

Heather Murray

and I’m delighted by every piece. It’s taken me so long to edit as I keep getting swept up in worlds of fairytale and possibility. 🐇

Meet Heather…

I am a mixed media artist from rural Ontario in Canada who creates art influenced by my country backdrop, nature and the various creatures that live among us.

I have a fascination and appreciation for those who walked before us and portraits from the past factor into my visual storytelling.

I love animals and my partner and I live with 2 dogs, two cats, one potbelly pig a few hens and too many roosters on our two acre homestead here.

Although I have taught workshops, produced /sold art, exhibited in galleries and kept a strong, dedicated online presence through my salaried working years - I am now able to concentrate fully on the life I want to live and what I can offer to others.

Hi!

At 67 I feel the earth has shifted somewhat and I recognise I have less time ahead than behindI In launching my newsletter on Substack "Ageless Artist" I wanted to appeal to the artists in our world who are 50 + and still vital in their production of art and to encourage and motivate those who are hoping to expand their practise.

Another aspect of this is "Get your artist jetpack on" where I am hoping to build a community of artists who wish to spread their wings together in growing their business. In recognition that many artists of my vintage may feel a bit lost (or left out) in the ever changing world of marketing and social media I will strive to create a safe landing spot .

Tell us about who you are outside of your work?*

I am a 67 year old female artist inside and outside of my work.

I think who I am and how I present to the world is one and the same. I feel my values have stayed consistent over the years. I am a lover of animals, an almost vegetarian (fish factors in on occasion) I politically lean to the left and I aim to be socially conscious .

Originally from a large city (Toronto) living in small town rural Ontario has offered a slower paced life with the added value of nature enveloping me. Having the privilege of being a parent to my most wonderful daughter has also added so much richness to my life. For over 30 years I worked in social work for non profit community organizations as a mental health and addictions counsellor. I loved it as a career but after so much time devoted to others it was time to quit.

I continue to be hungry about learning new things and diving into experiences which enhance me as an artist and challenge my brain :-) in my late 50's I trained and tried out for a roller derby team.

Last year I spent a few weeks in the Scottish Highlands alone for an artist residency and that was life changing. As much as I enjoy my small group of friends I require time alone to mull and recharge. I have recently rediscovered writing and it has offered me a new kind of spark.

How are you currently spending your days? *

I spend my days walking our dogs, making art, sketching in the community , and doing as little housework as possible. My partner and I live in a small log home which makes upkeep minimal.

In the summers I enjoy hanging out clothes on the line (I really do!) and dividing my time between the animals- I dedicate a few hours every day to drawing, writing and keeping up with my business online.

I will drive into town a few days a week for a bit of extra stimuli and to pick up necessities or to sketch with our local urban sketchers group. Sitting with my partner over a tea for long lingering chats and a few laughs also makes my day complete.

What does living the Big Dream mean to you and do you feel like you are?

Yes, I definitely feel I am living the big dream at this current time. Moving rural was the first real big step towards living in sync with my values and leaving my work as a counsellor was the breakaway from confines of workplace life.

I had been working on my art practise in a professional capacity for several years and this offered me authentic and meaningful time spent on my weekends. Having the freedom of scheduling (or not ) my own days has been life changing.

I am living and loving my personal choices and expanse of time which always include creativity in some form. As far as my art career I feel quite proud of my own growth and success over the years. After attending art college in my 20's I let my art making collapse while being distracted by life and survival.

Starting from scratch again 24 years ago I have accomplished many of the milestones I dreamed of from selling online, to delivering in person art workshops, to exhibiting in galleries, to launching my own art classes online and now finding ways I can continue to grow and contribute.

The biggest part of the dream realized though is to work as a full time artist in an environment that fits just right.

Describe a day in the life... 

Waking up early ..5 am-ish with an ultra strong cup of coffee marks the start of my day . I love this quiet ,contemplative time. I write in my journal and catch up on online messages etc.

Bookended by a cat and hound dog on the couch offers extra comfort. Mornings are the time when my brain is most active and charged. After feeding the indoor and outdoor animals I walk Gracie (my hound) down our quiet rural road and absorb all the small changes nature presents in every day of every season. I also think about my day ahead. Sometimes I meet a friend in town for a coffee and chat other times I concentrate on a few hours of making in my small studio in my home.

I will listen to my own playlist, a podcast or some soothing classical music while I paint. Later, I may tend to some online business; update my etsy shop.

Describe a "perfect" Sunday... 

Almost every Sunday is perfect as it is no longer the day before I am compelled to show up at a workplace the next day!

I am happy to be home based but often a perfect Sunday means visiting another small town nearby to meander and perhaps sketch -grab a coffee or breakfast with my partner.

Walking in nature always delivers. later carving out time to nestle in and read , make art and perhaps after dinner watch a series or movie to end the day.

What a piece of advice you would share with your younger self or for someone who is at the start of thinking about their vision for the future?

One piece of advice to my younger self or someone who is starting out with their art career is to find ways to develop confidence and a hard shell.

In saying that I believe there are steps we have to take and learnings that must occur to fully appreciate personal success (however you define it).

Staying with your creative side and seeking out art making even when life presents many distractions and obstacles. Making art can be a salve for what ails you...

Keep a sketchbook or visual journal and always fill it!

Keeping a realistic vision so you don't set yourself up for disappointment when life doesn't work the way you hoped. Selling art takes time and patience and a certain amount of bravado and confidence.

Seek out mentors and feedback from those you respect and whose opinion matters. Oops that's more than one piece of advice!

Find Heather online and support her work;

heathermurray.net / Insta; heathermurrayart /

Etsy; https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaudstarrArt