Sunday, October 19, 2008

A sense of wonder part b.



Class sketch,
acrylic on canvas
I like how the model created an intense mood

To continue on yesterday's theme. It's a big topic -- how artists
feel when they're painting, and what drives them to paint.
I love people, and I'm intrigued by their faces in particular,
but I enjoy painting the figure too. The way a person sits in a
chair says so much about their personality and mood.

This delight in the human face helps me in my other job
as a teacher too. In fact I spend so much time "reading"
my portrait commission clients' faces, that I frequently
surprise myself with how much I can tell about a person
from facial expressions. Understanding what people
are feeling, helps them to learn.

What can I say? Perhaps my fellow artists and I are
the most unconsciously spiritual beings in the world.
We don't ask to be, we just are caught by the light
coming in a window, or settling on cars, or shining out of
your spectacular eyes. We are in love with the visual.
In that way we are always "worshiping" the world
we live in, even if we never step inside a religious
building.

Have a divinely inspired day.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your style and bright colors!
Debbie

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Debbie,

Thanks I'm glad you like my work.

Barbarai

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!