Muriel Eden-Paul, Author & Artist
As an artist and author, I am inspired by history, memories, and nature. I was born in a Florida orange grove, which my grandfather started, and I helped my father plant more trees. In my childhood, I explored pasture, pine trees, hammocks, and lakeshore, and roamed through rows of citrus. I caught catfish and bream with bread moistened with spit. A menagerie of critters graced the rooms of our house: tadpoles, minnows, snakes, turtles, (small) alligator, frogs, puppies, birds, squirrels, and stray cats. Once, the milkman left rabbits on our front porch.
Growing up with nature all around me impacted my work as an artist and writer and defined my values for land conservation, preservation of nature, and historical places.
Throughout my career, I've grappled with the challenge of being multi-disciplined in art and writing. At times, it felt like these two passions were pulling me in opposite directions, rather than working in harmony.
Check Out My New Children’s Book: Quails’ Crazy Quilt
Quails' Crazy Quilt is illustrated in oil pastels and shows Bob White Quail in their habitat, including various palmetto patches, tall grasses, woody shrubs, blackberry brambles, and broad-leaf weeds. These patches provide food, shelter, and cozy spots for raising their chicks. This creative story introduces children to nature, the environment, and conservation in a 32-page picture book for ages 4-8.
The Wonders of Watercolor Pencils
My images often speak of unexpected gifts that are otherwise fleeting if we don’t take the time to notice them. I find inspiration in the world around me, both at home and when I travel. One of my favorite medias is watercolor pencils because of the way they allow me to capture the fluidity of light and the softness of nature.
This landscape painting captures the stunning contrasts I observed during my visit to Sweden. The heavy boulders juxtaposed against the fluidity of the Baltic Sea create a captivating visual dynamic, while the recurring ochre tones found on the island of Öland add depth to the scene.
Crafted with colored ink on clayboard, the piece is framed in a sleek black float frame and protected with an archival fixative to ensure its longevity.
A visit to Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands, the water was very cold, but the rocks had been warmed by the sun. The painting depicts a contrast in temperatures between the boulders and the water. The figure sitting by the water’s edge adds a sense of tranquility and reflection, suggesting a moment of peace amidst nature’s contrasting elements. Overall, it evokes a serene atmosphere, inviting viewers to envision the calmness of the scene and the gentle sounds of the water lapping against the shore.
The painting is framed with a bronze metal frame, a white mat and protected with Plexi-glass It is wired on the back ready to hang.
Monarchs love orange Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia), which grow in our garden. The revelation of the butterfly's imperfection adds depth, suggesting that beauty often lies in flaws. This emotional response led to the creation of mixed media art, highlighting the transformative power of art in reflecting personal experiences and perceptions. It invites viewers to appreciate both nature’s wonders and the art they enjoy, encouraging a deeper connection with the world around them.