Art & Writing Blog
An Emotional Crossing Between Art and Literature
Muriel shares a personal connection at the intersection of art and literature, between Christina Baker Kline’s novel A Piece of the World and Andrew Wyeth’s painting Christina’s World.
Discovering a Congregation of Tiger Swallowtails
Muriel witnessed a congregation of swallowtails on damp sand. After learning its meaning, she created a puddling station.
The Final Stretch Of Completing A Book
The final stretch of completing a book: things to consider when self-publishing, be aware of the void that may occur at the end, and focus on the goal of getting books to your readers. Image provided by Magnific (formerly Freepik)
Personal Reflections Attending a Concert for Peace and Unity
Muriel shares her personal reflection on attending a community concert by the West Shore Chorale at UW-Green Bay’s Marinette Campus, in support of peace and unity.
Transformation of Enriched Soil Enhances Creativity
Every season can be creative. This time of year, Muriel shares that acquiring sustainable compost from a community recycling center kickstarts their garden inspirations.
A Big Impact: Transforming A Small Art Studio
After three years of researching a studio home addition, Muriel shares her process of rethinking the project and making the most of the small workspace she already has.
Benefits of Letting Go of Old Writing
With a smaller studio space, Muriel shares the benefit of letting go of old writing to downsize and make room for new inspiration.
A Windy Day and A Sweet Escape
Muriel describes a delicious treat while holding down her exhibition tent during a windy day in St. Augustine, FL.
Experiencing the Statesboro Art Festival
Muriel discusses her experience at the Statesboro Art Festival in Statesboro, Georgia. She shares conversations with visitors, other artists, and the wonderful volunteers of SFA.
Recent Upgrades for Art Festival Endurance
Muriel shares recent upgrades to supplies that will help with setup and teardown during the art festival season, including what worked and what did not.
A Visual Story Telling Technique to Illustrate a Bee’s Energy
Muriel discusses her technique to create a small bee drawing in watercolor pencils on aquaboard.
Importance of Heritage Apples Added to Writing
Muriel shares a discovery from Calhoun’s book, Old Southern Apples, combined with her visit to Horn Creek Farm, in writing a setting for her next historical fiction.
Shaping a Human Experience for a Fictional Character
Muriel shares the resources she found to support visual descriptions in writing the human experience of one of her characters who died in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Developing Female Characters Reading Victoria E. Bynum
Researching her new book, Muriel read Unruly Women by Victoria E. Bynum to better understand the social and political climate in the 19th Century for unwed mothers and single women.
Personal Benefits of Chronological Timelines
Muriel shares her experience creating a chronological timeline for personal photo-journaling. She shares her experience and process, how she organizes life events, and embraces reflection in a personal narrative.
The Story Behind a Hand Painted Tile
Muriel shares a personal story and connection to the gift of a Swedish tile given to her and her husband.
An Afternoon in a Snowy Forest
Muriel writes about an afternoon in a snowy forest on the White Cedar Trail in the Governor Earl Peshtigo State Forest.
Why We Embraced the Swedish Kanelbullar
Muriel shares the experience of hosting a Swedish foreign exchange student; she has embraced the shared tradition of Kanelbullar for thirty-seven years.
Too Many Years, Too Many Photos
Muriel writes about her disappointments with digital images and the overwhelming challenges of creating photo albums.
Shoveling a Path in the Snow for Chickens
Muriel writes that the benefits of shoveling a path for their hens include encouraging their outdoor activity and making it more convenient for their chicken parents.

