Muriel J. Timmins
Biography
Born and raised in eastern Massachusetts, Timmins and her two older sisters were
introduced to nature through the loving guidance of their mother, who had from their
earliest days, instilled in each of them a sense of curiosity, appreciation and respect for all living
things. Timmins recalls spending many childhood hours on her own, watching endless
streams of ants trekking back and forth. Industriously they marched, hauling crumbs and bits of
leaves along a well-traveled highway over sidewalk and cracks, on into the front door of a little
mound of sand. Even more enthralling were her encounters with dragonflies, skunks, raccoons and squirrels busily making a life in New England. And, of course, there were the elephants, zebras and rhinos that she found only in books, but could vividly imagine roaming open plains in distant strange lands. Back then, this earth seemed an exciting place to wake up to each morning. And it still does
Now living in Tucson, Arizona, Timmins has been introduced to yet another of Mother Natures many intriguing personalities. Having spent the majority of her life in the Northeast, her strong connection with nature developed around lush, dense woods, green mountains and rocky coastline. So, her move to Tucson in 1996 certainly set her down into a strange new world. Unlike that lush, dense growth and ocean scent of the New England region, the Desert Southwest presented her with quite a different experience.
In my depictions of the natural world, Im always hoping to remind the viewer to be on the lookout for the wonder in our day-to-day lives. We dont necessarily have to trek out into the woods or up a mountain trail to connect with nature. Even walking down the driveway to pick up the mail, or taking a coffee break next to the backyard window can be an adventure. Something is ALWAYS going on outdoors, if we just remember to watch for it. In times of discontent or stress, its all too easy for us to develop tunnel-vision and focus solely on things gone awry. But, just by allowing ourselves the awareness of our natural surroundings, the full content of our lives comes into view. Were then open to savor the joys of Mother Nature – and in return, she will very likely lift our spirits, broaden our perspective and maybe even lighten our load.
Affiliations
Copley Society of Art
Boston, MA, Sponsored member
Intl Guild of Realism (IGOR) Artist member (2014-2019)
Oil Painters of America, Associate artist member
Southern AZ Arts Guild, Former VP/Membership Chair
Juried Exhibits/Awards/Articles
National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Annual Online Exhibit / Award of Excellence
Agua Caliente / Ranch House Art Exhibit Tucson, AZ, Two person show, 15 pcs.
Ventana Medical Sys/SAACA Oro Valley, AZ – First place & Peoples Choice, 1 piece
Oro Valley Comm.Ctr/SAAG Oro Valley, AZ – Art guild exhibit, 1 piece
Dragonfly Gallery/Many Faces of Art Tucson, AZ – Three-person show, 21 pieces
Cox Community Gallery/Americana Tucson, AZ – 3 pieces
ASDM Ironwood Gallery/Art Institute-Student exhibit Tucson, AZ – 1 piece
Hilltop Gallery/Quadrilateral Nogales, AZ – Board/Instructor Exhibit,11 pieces
Hilltop Gallery/Oil Painting Instructor Nogales, AZ – Two months teaching weekly classes
Toscana Gallery/Double Exposure Oro Valley, AZ – Art guild exhibit , Best of Show,1 pc
Americas Parks II Traveling exhibit (3 venues), Honorable Mention, 1 piece
DeGrazia Little Gallery Guest Artist (2013) Tucson, AZ – One person show, 25 pieces
DeGrazia Little Gallery Guest Artist (2020) Tucson, AZ – Two person show, 20 pieces
ASDM Ironwood Gallery/Botanical Art of the Sonoran Desert Tucson, AZ – 1 piece
Kirk-Bear Canyon Libr./Artist of the Month Tucson, AZ – One person show, 26 pieces
The Artists Magazine/The Artists Life Column Featured writeup on Finalist piece
The Artists Magazine/Annual Competition Finalist, 1 piece
Tucson Museum of Art/Artisans Market Tucson, AZ – 8 events, approx. 20 pcs each
Blossom II-Art of Flowers Traveling exhibit (7 venues), 1 piece
The Artists Magazine/Annual Competition Honorable Mention, 1 piece
The Artists Magazine/Annual Competition Finalist on 2 pieces
Premier Image Gallery Ashland, MA – Two person show, 20 pieces
