art – Page 2 – joy murray art~stories~life

Accessibility and Art

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025Posted in UncategorizedTagged accessibility, art, disability, disability art1 Comment

Here’s a link to a film about a cross-disability collective that’s quite uplifting. Often we, as a nation, and I guess as a world, think accessibility is impossible and too expensive. So it’s delightful for me to see things like this film where we can see accessibility in action. I like that it’s a little slower — not the rush, rush everyone seems to be addicted to but is mostly an illusion. I also like the statement that stairs are accessibility for people who have legs. We just need to expand how we define accessibility. By making things as accessible as possible, we assure able-bodied people don’t age out of access to the places and the events that we get to enjoy when our bodies are younger. The film’s about 20 minutes long. I hope you enjoy it.

https://art21.org/watch/new-york-close-up/i-wanna-be-with-you-everywhere/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=header&utm_campaign=Art21News20250625&fbclid=IwY2xjawLKZ_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFRZkpCMGRKeVNSYXFkTXM2AR4hHx1zFyc8t7bj0Ds3hFV6BrOnkaCSKcONAZODstjfi0f5sR0RMC3rcVBqNQ_aem_BCipRAy06KNe1pvoCFS56A

Also, Opulent Mobility is open for submission for the 2025 exhibition. They’ll be accepting submissions til August 31.

From A. Laura Brody: “We once again challenge you to imagine a world where disability, mobility, and access are not merely functional, but opulent. Submit your art for OM 2025 at
https://www.opulentmobility.com/submit-artwork.html
Deadline August 31
And take good care of your hearts in these troubling times.”

The Kiss by Joy Murray, part of Opulent Mobility in 2024

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Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to share it, if you’d like.

This blog is brought to you by the generosity of people who support me on Patreon , buy my art, and who support me in so many different ways.

If you’d like to make a one time donation, you can do so at paypal

Cards and prints of some of my art is available on Redbubble. Also T-shirts and stickers and other odds and ends. When you click an image, in the lower right hand corner you’ll find a link to all the various products that these are printed on. If you have any trouble finding what you’re looking for, let me know. joyzmailbox@gmail.com

You can subscribe to this blog by email in the link below this post.

If you find a typo, let me know, and I’ll send you a postcard.

Happy Summer

June 22, 2025Posted in UncategorizedTagged art, blog, creativity, flowers, Photography2 Comments

It’s hotter than July here in Memphis, even though it’s only June.

I’ve been having some health problems (nothing new) and also some trouble with my power wheelchair. My apartment got painted. I had to have my porch ramp replace. So, in addition to everything else going on in the world, I’ve felt a bit reclusive.

I’ve started strolling around the neighborhood though and always enjoy. I thought I’d share what you can see if you walk around in the summer in the city — I prefer late in the day, but mornings are cooler, too. Drink water, use sunscreen, and wear a hat if necessary.

pxl_20250620_2354446946792618716734229049 — A new neighbor named Sweetie, a Muscovy Duck with a crooked wing

Hope everyone has a great summer. Taking a walk may help restore your sense of wonder.

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Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to share it, if you’d like.

Prints of this painting are here: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/167848965?ref=studio-promote

This blog is brought to you by the generosity of people who support me on Patreon , buy my art, and who support me in so many different ways.

If you’d like to make a one time donation, you can do so at paypal

Cards and prints of some of my art is available on Redbubble – also T-shirts and stickers and other unique items. When you click an image on Redbubble, in the lower right hand corner you’ll find a link to all the various products that these are printed on. If you have any trouble finding what you’re looking for, let me know. joyzmailbox@gmail.com

You can subscribe to this blog by email in the link below this post.

A Bird Will Tell You

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024Posted in Art, art and healing, Mental health, UncategorizedTagged art, bi-polar disorder, Mental health3 Comments

I’ve been on a medication for Bi-Polar disorder for a month. It was one of several I’ve tried over the past few months, but this one seems to be keeping me steady, has few side effects, and gotten me to feel like myself again. It’s a quite wonderful feeling.

I started this journey years ago, really, but this most recent bout of depression started in October. Then it was hard to be creative or to see any point to painting, writing or anything. I’ve done some work, but getting into a routine, finishing things – it’s been next to impossible. For this painting, I just started splashing paint on a canvas, cleaning brushes by smearing leftover paint on it, and letting it collect color.

But since I started this medication, I found some direction and a composition emerged. It became a sort of journal of my recovery. And then, one day, it was a finished painting. I hope it captures the way the treatment of a mental disorder, and the journey to brain health, is a process.

What do you think?

*A Bird Will Tell You, by Joy Murray, 16×20″, acrylic and ink,*

I hope to continue to be inspired to paint. I have already come up with ideas for two more. Getting back to a creative state of mind is a pure delight. I really appreciate my doctors and therapists who have helped me during this bout of dysfunction, who helped guide me back to good brain health. I also did a lot of reading on mindfulness and ways of maintaining brain health in a world that seems fragmented and in a constant state of mania.

If you’re having struggles yourself, I hope you find the kind of help you need. And remember it’s a journey. Just because one treatment doesn’t work for you, don’t give up. There are lots of options for our complicated brains. Keep searching for a doctor you trust, keep trying different treatments, until you find your way back to yourself.

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Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to share it, if you’d like.

This blog is brought to you by the generosity of people who support me on Patreon , buy my art, and who support me in so many different ways.

If you’d like to make a one time donation, you can do so at paypal

You can subscribe to this blog by email in the link below this post.

If you find a typo, let me know, and I’ll send you a postcard.

It’s Never Too Late

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023Posted in UncategorizedTagged art, disability sexuality, loveLeave a comment

Though many with disabilities, and who have gone through transitions with age, find ourselves alone, love still remains a priority in many of our hearts. I’ve known several people who found a life partner in their 70s and 80s. I painted this to celebrate that love that can transcend physical problems, age, and social disapproval. Loneliness can be a part of one’s life no matter your age or abilities, even if you’re in a relationship. Still…

*It was never too late… by Joy Murray, 20×24″*, 2022

As we get closer to the opening of the Opulent Mobility art show in LA, in which 2 of my paintings will be shown, I’ll post my paintings that celebrate physical diversity and our dreams and fantasies. You can follow Opulent Mobility on Facebook and Instagram. It’s going to be at a physical gallery, the Makery, but also online. Here’s the schedule:

Other artists include: A. Laura Brody, Kat Chudy, Julie Forbush, Patricia Fortlage, Bronte Grimm, Ash Hagerstrand, Austin Lubetkin, Ellen Mansfield, Monica Marks, Lisa Merida-Paytes, Tom Peters, Elizabeth Rajchart, Priya Ray, Abigail Stockinger, Emily Tironi, Celeste Tooth, and Rachel Ungerer.

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Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to share it, if you’d like.

This blog is brought to you by the generosity of people who support me on Patreon , buy my art, and who support me in so many different ways.

If you’d like to make a one time donation, you can do so at paypal

You can subscribe to this blog by email in the link below this post.

If you find a typo, let me know, and I’ll send you a postcard.

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