Muir will be having a show of more than 30 pieces of her work at the pop-up facility, “Ambler Launch or Land,” 106 East Butler Pike in Ambler , Nov. 16 to 18.[/caption]

by Len Lear

Diana Muir's creative roots started as a child, when on rainy weekend mornings her family would take out art supplies, and together they'd spend the day drawing and painting. Later, the 76-year-old Chestnut Hill native and Springside alumna continued to pursue art by taking classes at a local art center while raising four children.

“This is where I was first introduced to clay, and I knew immediately I had found my life's passion,” said Muir, who calls herself largely self-taught, even though she has “studied with art teachers from all over the world. Over the years, my continued commitment has been to be in the studio every day in order for inspiration to come. Even when I'm not in the mood, I need to gather the self-discipline to get out into my studio.

“My intention is to head out into the unknown in my work, like a pioneer searching for new and fertile ground to build. I am courageous enough and strong enough and have the tools to make great art, soulful, smart, beautiful works of art. I pledge to myself to be proactive in my life, seizing the moments, staying connected to my source and being love in all areas of my life.”

Muir, who has lived in Fort Washington for 30 years, has been creating clay sculptures for more than 50 years. In August of 2015 she walked a 500-mile journey across northern Spain, also known as the El Camino. Many of Muir's more recent pieces were inspired by this journey.

“Life as I see it and experience it is a cosmic dance, and my sculptures capture that essence,” she said during a recent interview. “I have come to realize that I am here in human form, yet there is the mystery of spirit that animates all of life.

“My challenge as an artist has been to distill the essence of this dance and to give it form. My most recent piece is a life-size sculpture which I have titled 'Ancestor,' which portrays our common history, our combined strength and beauty.”

This coming weekend, Muir will be having a show of more than 30 pieces of her work at the pop-up facility, “Ambler Launch or Land,” 106 East Butler Pike in Ambler. Opening-night is Friday, Nov. 16, 6 to 9 p.m. Muir has invited six other local artists to display and sell their paintings as well. On opening night there will be a chance to meet the artists and partake of wine and hors d'oeuvres. The hours on Saturday, Nov. 17, are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 18, 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Muir began her career making custom tiles for clients' kitchens but moved into large figurative sculptures like this one and like the sculptors she admires the most — Michelangelo, Rodin and Giacometti.[/caption]

Muir also has her own studio and teaches classes several days a week. “They give me an opportunity to inspire students and allow them a chance to freely express themselves. I've been able to nurture and draw out the creative spirit of my students.” (One of her students brought her to our attention.)

Muir has previously exhibited in a solo show of her clay sculptures at Artscape at the top of the Hill after a six-week visit to Africa to visit her son in the Peace Corps in Botswana. And in Ambler at “Art in the Storefront” and at numerous shows in her own studio.

She began her career making custom tiles for clients' kitchens, pricing her work “by the gut and the heart,” but moved into large figurative sculptures like the sculptors she admires the most — Michelangelo, Rodin and Giacometti. “In order to create the large pieces that I do, I needed to be an architect as well as a sculptor. The size requirements and limitations of the kiln challenged me to figure out how to build my large sculptures in pieces.”

What talent that Muir does not have would she most like to have? “The gift of picking better men — husbands and boyfriends.”

If she could live anywhere on earth, where would it be? “I'd choose to be right where I am. I am completely happy here. I have a beautiful garden and the perfect studio right on my property.”

Muir has “a good relationship with all of my children.” They are: Michael Newbold, 56, of Hockessin, Delaware; Anna Newbold, 54, of Charlottesville, Virginia; William Newbold, 51, of Chestnut Hill, and Scott Newbold, 47, of Sheridan, Wyoming.

For more information, visit dmuirclay.com