The 15th thing I learned again in 2024 -- I love my art group

Art group sketch

Mountain climber

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

I love painting with my art group.  They are such inspiring, kind, 
funny artists. Our group happens every Tuesday evening in 
Forest Hill Collegiate -- the art space for both the Forest Hill
Art Club and the Don Valley Art Club. And it is so fun.

I am a very slow painter, but with the group my husband drops

me off at 7:30 and picks me up an hour later.  I set up. There
are breaks, I paint, then I take down my easel and table, and clean

up, and get a painting in that hour.  Inspired by the artists,

and the model. 

I think I might have had 30 minutes to do this painting sketch,

and I like it. Thank you to my art group for another year of
super inspiration.  Your work is beautiful, and I learn 
something every time I paint for such a short time with
you.

Have a loving your life day.

Yes Joy matters. The 14th lesson I learned again. I'm not religious -- but joy for the world would be good.

The night of the tulips

Watercolour and marker

on watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Seeing this painting from years ago made me happy.  And I thought we've got

to get some flowers in here because they are an immediate source of joy. We will
soon have Amaryllis plants in bloom, and that will be awesome.

Last year on this day I talked about how Louise Hay once asked what word you

would use to define the year.  In 2017 I said "joy", in 2023 "resilience", in

2024 I would use both "magnificent", because so many parts of my life have
been magnificent, and "surprise", because it seems the surprises (mostly good, 
but some terrifying) have been endless.

And yes a great many people, events, beautiful views, flowers, music,
have given me joy. So I am very grateful.

Have a loving your life day. 

The 13th thing I learned again in 2024 -- it takes a village to keep an artist going

 

Steven and me in front of my portrait

You can't keep a good man down

(Acrylic pen and acrylic 

on canvas 3 x 4 feet)

at the opening of the Heliconian Club

Life Drawing Exhibition in 2020

The photo is of me and my main supporter -- my husband, who is at every
show, helps me with both the heavy work of displaying art, and with the logic of my 

thoughts, and process when I'm working hard on a painting. My family
have been incredibly supportive of me. And I am so grateful. Love you
family.

I am lucky to be a member of the Heliconian Club, which has been a delight

since I joined in 2019, and a member of the Don Valley Art Club. I've 

exhibited my work in recent years mostly in the beautiful space of the 
Heliconian Club when I'm not showing internationally. And the weekly
drawing/painting night at the Don Valley Art Club is a treat.

Then there is the wide community in the social media world.  I'll 
include Howard Wolinsky, Oprah Winfrey and Alyson Stanfield in my
list there.  And all of the people -- friends I've met at shows, friends 

from my community, and friends I've made online who like, buy,
enjoy, and support my work.

Maybe it takes an entire world to keep an artist going.  And please

know that I am so grateful to all of you.

Have a loving your life day.

The 12th thing I learned in 2024 -- be happy to be amazed

 

Pete Sinjin, the Brooklyn plein air painter
I met randomly walking along the Seine in Paris
in May.  As we spoke awkward French
to each other about what he was doing (measuring
lines with his paint brush in the air), we
shared names, and he found out I'd
been one of a number of artists
who said that his work was 

great, when a silly art critic tried to put him down.

Instant friendship. Amazing!

Photo

Steven van Schaik (my husband) © 2024

Speaking of being amazed. Yesterday back in good old Toronto was pretty great
 -- and the hits just kept on coming.  I mean thank you universe! A collector called
to say that the painting she bought last February needed a companion. Yes! Happy to help.

I went to my opening last night at the Heliconian and sold two paintings to
two very sweet collectors, had delightful conversations, and sold some cards. 
All in all a very happy night -- a treat.  And at the end of the opening I got called

in to a meeting going on in the meeting room, and offered a solo show!
Awesome. Please come to the opening of that in April 2025 if you're in Toronto!

More info to come.  

That's very nice. So I am excited because the Heliconian gallery in what was once
a church in Yorkville on Hazelton Avenue, is not only a beautiful space -- it's big, so
I can create some large, new work to add to the mix of my other work!

In 2019 Members enjoying the presentations sit under

the work from the Encounter show.  I loved

seeing them under the wall featuring my work. 

The works with clouds are mine. 
So this is one wall of the gallery part of the
club! And I will have the entire space in
April! Wow!

Here's to a great holiday season for you!

Have a loving your life day!

The 11th thing I learned again in 2024 -- Pets are amazing -- the sweetest

Monet the cat
It's the third
anniversary of her
adoption.

We normally (well twice) celebrate Monet's adoption anniversary, but
today was the second opening of the Off The Wall show at the Heliconian,
and I was there from 4 - 7:30 p.m.  It was really fun, so to honour Monet --
here's what I said last year edited for the time changes:

"This is the third anniversary of our adoption of our cat, Monet.
She is a wonderful warm, intelligent cat.  My husband Steven
has his office in the basement.  He comes up to the kitchen for lunch,
and Monet comes up with him.  When he is ready to go back to work, he says
to Monet, "back to work," and Monet runs downstairs and jumps
into her basket on top of the dog's cage, that's in Steven's office.

Our dog Sally will sing Monet a Happy Adoption song tomorrow night
because we were out tonight, and our cat Fiona, who is 17 will be jealous,
and everyone will get a treat. "

Fiona is also wonderful, and has been our cat since she was 9 weeks old.
And Sally the dog is lovely.

Have a loving your life day.

This is # 10, and should perhaps be #1 -- I learned again to work on being happy

 Me with my painting

 Breakfast in the Skylight Diner NYC

30 x 30 inches

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2014

At Art Shopping Carrousel du Louvre

in the Louvre, Paris

June 2015

SOLD ♥ 

I know that sounds simplistic, and perhaps like I'm ignoring the world.  But
no.  A friend even accused me of using "platitudes." But no. I acknowledge every
way that I am lucky in my life.  And in the face of a world that seems to get
more messed up, and depressing by the minute, I try to notice and enjoy what's
good, heartening and enjoyable. 

As I said before, "I still believe that if we take action whenever we can,
and give what we can, to help with what we can, we owe it to those who
are suffering to appreciate how blessed we are." And I know I am.

My family is not enduring a senseless, devastating war.  We have food,
and shelter, and people who love us, and at the moment work. Plus
we're looking forward to a festive season with family and friends. 

I was extremely lucky to teach Positive Psychology at the college
level for 10 years. That taught me a lot about how to be happy.

Have a loving your life day.

#9 What I continued to learn in 2024 -- humour is such a gift!

 

Steven and Me laughing
I know that I'm lucky I married
a man who loves to laugh. 
This photo was taken during the holidays 

quite a few years ago, but laughter remains a
major part of our family life with way more
stockings on the fireplace. Our whole family is lucky.
Photo
Chris Muir © 

It wasn't an easy year -- lots of worries, but I'd have to say it was a good
year -- so much love, incredible travel, for me great art shows, and 
commissions. 

And the thing I continue to learn over and over is that funny people
(basically my whole family), make even hard times better. That
doesn't mean that sorrow, loss, hardship aren't part of the picture.
It means the ability to enjoy life, and to see what is funny is 
so important.  Thank you for all of the laughter you gave me
in 2024.

Have a loving your life day.