Tuesday, September 23, 2008

No No No -- you can't see it -- yet!

There's a good reason why I don't show clients how a
painting develops until I get final approval, and
the painting has gone safely to its new home. I'm
not a smooth transition person. As I paint I'm
getting to know the client better, and my eyes
and hands seem to be doing their own thing. So
I know you can advise people about how to paint
until you are blue (or green, or red) in the face,
but everyone paints differently.




An early version of the portrait
A woman and her cats
24" x 36"
acrylic on canvas

That's my advice. Do it your way.
Here are a couple of the sittings leading up
to the final result, which I'll show you on Friday
maybe, just before my weekend studio tour opens.

If you're in Toronto this weekend, please drop by my St. Clair ARtwalk studio tour, Saturday the 27th and Sunday September 28 at 56 Cherrywood Ave, (near Bathurst and St. Clair) between 1 and 5 p.m. for a glass of wine or a cup of coffee or herbal tea, to see my work, talk and have a cookie, or other treats.


My friend Jennifer says she doesn't do demos.
Like me, she changes her mind as she paints,
refines, removes, moves around, shrinks,
expands -- changes the painting. That's
why I paint in acrylic. All of that is possible,
even desirable -- more paint, more texture,
more depth.



Moving right along,
a later session of
the portrait
A woman and her cats
Notice how much the face has changed

More to come.

Have an enjoying-what-develops day.

6 comments:

Sylvia Jenstad said...

Had to stop... love what you have done so far....

Theresa Rankin said...

I would love to be able to come by and see you and your wonderful paintings in person. This is fantastic so far...they will be very happy. Have a fabulous show and know that every possible good wish is winging it's way to you in Canada!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sylvia,

Thanks for your kind comment.
I actually love the really loose stage
of a commission. Then it's time to
reign it in a bit.

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

Thanks so much. I would love nothing
better than to go to the door of my little Toronto house and
see you there! That would just be
so exceptionally great.

One day we will visit one another. I am sure of it.

I feel those good wishes, and I'm sending them back double.

Barbara

Laurel Daniel said...

So fun to see the portrait emerge... I love the direction it's taking and can't wait to see the end result!

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Laurel,

It's all done now except for one
hand, and I have to work on that
today so it can go in my show.

I appreciate your thoughts so much.

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!