Monday, October 13, 2008

Sketching to happiness



All the sketches today are from a 5.5" x 8.5" sketchbook

I think this is a sketch of Mario Buatta from
a magazine photo.
(I miss the flourishes in fabric that were
his design style. In Toronto the
hotels have gone minimalist --
the opposite of comfort.)

Black marker on paper




Here is one of many sketches I did while
painting the writer, Sandra Martin's portrait.

Black marker on paper




Another view of Sandra Martin.

Peach pencil on paper

Not all of a painter's days are painting days. I feel for the daily
painters, because in the world I live in progress can
mean getting one small part of the painting right.
Some days -- like after two days of feasting and reveling
to celebrate the harvest -- are meant for sketching,
for quietly slipping back into the art mode through the
familiar feel of pen on paper -- the sketch.



My son Sam and Zoey napping.

Black marker on paper

In museums Picasso's, and Matisse's sketches stand
in harmony with their larger paintings -- acknowledged.
I have walked around many times with the audio
player in my hand listening to erudite scholars
explain the lyrical line, the absence of detail.
But in my artist's heart I know -- the painter was
taking a break, thinking things through, trying to
find relief in line, that might not have been present
that day in blocks of colour.

Or maybe it was a child's birthday, or a day spent not
painting in a café, and there it was in brief notation --
the antidote to not performing for a day, the sketch.
Ahhh. Still an artist. Still have your chops Picasso --
little did you know that in this century we'd pay millions
for your explorations. We love your sketches as much as
your great works, sometimes more.



My son Sam and Zoey the dog fast asleep.

Black ink and acrylic on paper

Have a playing-with-paper day.

8 comments:

Mary J DuVal said...

Wow - am I ever happy I stumbled across your blog. Your writing is delightful as are your life-filled paintings. And I really love your "Have a..." endings. I look forward to following your blog and checking in regularly.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi MJ,

I'm glad you like my blog. Your work is lovely too.

Barbara

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara, So many neat posts since I've been in to see you. These sketches in "Sketching to happiness" are way cool. I love to sketch but find so little time to sit down and do it right. Thanks for sharing these.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like my sketches. Yep, I'm trying to blog every day for 365 days. Then I'll see.

Take care,

Barbara

Mummy H. said...

wow..u are very talented. *surprised*

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks bitsandpieces,

I'm glad you like my work.

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Love the sketches! And the loose painting of your son and dog - it looks so "at home"!
I am impressed by all the things you write about (and how you write about them!) - when do you do that besides your work, your painting, family etc.?! I never seem able to fit so much in one day. Thanks for the inspiration!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

When I discovered your blog, I was
so impressed with all that you do. You are incredibly organized and productive.

I was just thinking earlier today, that the busier I am, the more I get
done. But I see what you do, and know that you are very busy yourself. I always feel delighted by your lovely work, and somewhat in awe. Thanks back to you for your
inspiring work.

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!