Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Happy to be home again

On Saturday we decided to go up to Ottawa to visit my
mother. My mom lives on the Ottawa River, in a spot
that is spectacularly beautiful, especially at this time
of year. I love spending time with my family. Both my
mother and my brother live near our nation's capital,
and both have properties right on the water, on
two different rivers.

You can't beat the city of Ottawa for its beauty, and its
dedication to preserving both its buildings and its
wild spaces -- something we need more of in Toronto,
but I am always glad to be back in my own home,
sleeping in my own bed, and working in my own
studio.



In the studio
acrylic on canvas
still working on it
16" x 16"


Tonight I spent more time on my little painting of
the model relaxing in the studio. I'm still working
on it, but it's got the happy feeling I was trying to
create. There's nothing like working with a cooperative
model, and thinking about the painting
during the breaks. This model looked beautiful in
every light, from every angle. I think this is my
fifth painting of her this year, eventually I could
probably fill a gallery with paintings featuring
her image.

The same is true of most of the models
I've worked with. If they can set a mood, enjoy
being around my home, family and animals, can
relax and like the work -- of course I want to
work with them again, and I do. I always miss
all of my subjects when they go, whether they're
models or commission subjects. I spend so much
time with them, that before long they act and feel
like family.

I'm tired from the trip tonight, so I'll talk
to you tomorrow.

Have a there's-no-place-like-home-day.

4 comments:

Theresa Rankin said...

Absolutely beautiful painting Barbara...graceful, full of color and your ever present joy! Bravo, very well done!!

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Theresa,

Joy is a recurring theme in my painting life, and I know it is in
yours. I was just looking at your
painting of you with the animals on
the bed yesterday, and I was blown
away again at how amazing that
work is.

Take care,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

This painting seems happy. It not only has a real people feel about it it also has a feel for the place. Both work so well to make the one. ew

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

I'm glad you like it. I may change the colour on the painting near the red curtain. The painting is very red, but I think it fights with the red curtain. But that is my actual
studio translated into paint. The couch is beige not turquoise. I guess that's wishful thinking.

Take care,

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!