Monday, May 5, 2008

Growing up in paint


Some of my favorite models throughout the years have been my family.
My children and husband frolicking at our favorite beach in Nova
Scotia were often featured in my watercolours. Since I switched
to acrylic my son Sam has been a kind model for me, especially
when I teach private acrylic classes. This quick sketch of him is
one of my favorite paintings. Looking at it closely, which I rarely
do, I can see some areas I'd work on if I wanted to spend the time
on it, but I like the rough quality. What I like most of all is the
mood -- the eyes are amusing to an artist mother who has seen
that look so often, and the huge hands, a sign of just how tall
this boy would be. I think he's 6'3" now.

I am immensely grateful to my family for their cooperation. My
own father was a pretty great photographer, so for a certain
period in my life my brother and I, who like Sam, were the
youngest and most available are beautifully captured in all
our moods in black and white 8 x10 prints that my Dad
created in his little darkroom in our basement. Those photos
now are an amazingly vivid record of our young lives,
and strong works of art.

Have a resourceful evening.

2 comments:

flo said...

I love this painting. fresh, immediate, capturing the mood and character of your model. fine stuff.
N

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Norene,

Thank you. I would love to see the
images from your show.

I hope you will post them sometime
in the next month.

Thanks again.

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!