Shan Murrell is First Artist of the Month at JavaLava

ST. PETER’S – Works by multi-disciplined artist Shan Murrell is on display at the JavaLava Coffee House.

Artist Shan Murrell and JavaLava owner Vidya Birkhoff.
Artist Shan Murrell and JavaLava owner Vidya Birkhoff.

On Friday, March 27, 2015, the local coffee house and wine bar launched its first in a series called Artist of the Month. Shan Murrell of Little Island Designs was present to discuss the various pieces now on display, which are also for sale.

According to Vidya Birkhoff, proprietor at the cafe, “on the last Friday of each month we will feature a new artist who will be invited to introduce themselves, their work, and their inspirations. The artwork will be on display in JavaLava for the following month until we rotate a new artist in.”

Bimsha performing at the Artist of the Month Launch at JavaLava. (JavaLava Photo)
Bimsha performing at the Artist of the Month Launch at JavaLava. (JavaLava Photo)

Providing entertainment for the evening was Bimsha and a few other musicians who popped by.

Murrell told the gathering that “Montserrat is the thing that connects me to art.” Her photography features images of ash clouds and sunsets created during the period of 2008 to 2010 when small eruptions were a regular occurrence and made for dramatic colours in the sky.

Her tea cosies, pillows and paintings feature iconic symbols of Montserrat such as the egret, Heliconia, and the mountains. She uses a mixed-media approach to her work, which allows for various textures to come together to create very whimsical pieces.

Murrell lives in Salem and can be found in her studio across from the Roman Catholic Church. She also teaches classes in art. Check out her work at Little Island Designs on Facebook.

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