Michael Murrell – Art, Nature and Catawampus

Recently I wrote about Donna Mintz, our friendship and the people I’ve met through her. One artist in particular is Michael Murrell. He is one of the most prolific and interesting artists I’ve ever met. He has an enormous 30,000 square foot studio at Habersham Mills. Although he exhibits world wide he rarely sells any of his work. At his studio you can see a collection of 50 years of his art. Amazing! Here are some photos following the creation of one sculpture, Diver (my title, don’t know if that is right). He created this sculpture from a Beechnut tree that had fallen on our property. I was able to document the process. He eventually produced 12 pieces from this large tree. He finished Diver while doing a residency at Hambidge Art Center and we hauled the rest of the tree to his Habersham studio to do more. Check out the link to a documentary Hal Jacobs (more on Hal later) made on Michael. Neat-o art and neat-o film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaiL62IMRM