Friday, July 25, 2008

The thrill of painting

One of the great things about painting, for those of
you who haven't been doing it lately, is that it
occupies your mind. When you start painting
every day, you go to sleep thinking about color,
and placement -- how to enhance, or fix what you
did that day. You paint in your dreams, and plan
new work. All of the anxious spaces in your mind
that could be filled with worry get filled up
with light, line, blue, gold, red, purple, yellow,
orange -- and of course black and white.

If you're not painting, start again. If you've never
painted, start and keep going. If you are painting,
high five, and here's to you!


Woman's Head
10" x 10"
acrylic on canvas
not finished yet

I'm including a small, loose portrait I was working
on today when I'd take a break from my big
portrait. I like the style a lot. It's based on a
friend of mine, but I don't care if it's a
likeness -- I just wanted to try something
different. I'll probably change the chin. Maybe
that's all.


Fresh Bread right out of the oven
Made by the incredible
bread baker -- Steven

Steven made bread tonight while we watched a
movie. What a beautiful sight. Both the
movie and the home baked, healthy bread.

Have an eating-fresh-bread-day!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Barbara, that is a beautiful portrait! (as usual). So loose and alive and vibrant. I love your description of the thought processes....it is so true! Thanks for the talk!
And that bread....mmmmm..looks delicious. Maybe Steve would like to share his recipe...or start shipping the loaves this way!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thanks so much for your comment. We're heading into our 100th
thunder storm in two weeks so
I have to turn off the computer.

Steven's put the dog, who gets
hysterical in storms, into her crate.
The bread recipe is my mother's
I think. Maybe I'll post it
another day.

Stay dry,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

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!