Sunday, January 11, 2009

The tulips are back!

I must live very moment to moment, because each
small change in my life seems enormous. Today
we took down the last of the pine/spruce/cedar and
other evergreens I don't know/ garlands. The Fraser
Fir tree is still green and the needles aren't falling,
so we'll keep it for another week -- but I am just
about ready to let that season go. In the day if I'm
not home I close up the studio doors so the cats
can't decide to rampage through my canvasses.
While the pine garlands were there, over the entrance
to the living room, and decorating the fireplace,
I'd open the door, and all that greenery gave off a
strong smell of the woods. It was like opening the
door to the forest. But the time to clean up had come.

The next phase, of decoration, which I'd completely
forgotten is wonderful tulips in pots from the
Avenue Road flower shops. Three pots full cost
something like $9.00 and last for about two weeks.
So I bought them today, and Steven bought me
sweet smelling, soft peach coloured roses, and
the place is starting to turn itself toward spring.

I've been drawing. Soon I'll be able to show you
a lot of drawing, but for now here is one I did
of myself. I am thinking about line -- not in the
totally conventional sense, but as in -- where would
a pop of dark line be expected, or a surprise. Still
working on that. But I like the expression on my
face in this one.



Self portrait
marker on watercolour paper
9 x 12 inches

Why do artists paint themselves? 1. For practice,
2. Because they are ready models. 3. Because they
either like or hate themselves. 4. Why do artists
paint anything that they paint? -- because that is what
they do. or just because.

In a day or two my tulips will be tall, and bending
like ballerinas, and if I'm lucky they'll let me
paint them.

Have an I've-got-lots-of-plans day.

10 comments:

Melinda said...

I can almost smell the pine trees from here! I agree. It's very hard to let go of the season with all of the beautiful lights and decorations. Maybe that's why some people here in the southwest decide to keep a string of lights (mostly the little white ones wrapped around mesquite trees) on all year long.

Your drawing is exquisite. Truly impressive. I see thoughtfulness, deep intelligence and a bit of whimsy!

claud-hop said...

Dear Barbara,

You look very pretty in the drawing. But of course, you always look pretty. Anyways, I like the drawing.

Love,
Claudia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Although it's frowned on, we keep our outdoor Christmas lights (white) on all year. That is until the strings die. We started the year of the Iraq war when Avaaz.org asked people to put on lights for peace. Then when I recovered from a serious illness we kept them on as a sign of joy.

Now when they go out some of our friends ask when we're getting new ones, they're so used to seeing them.

Thanks for your kind comments.

Take care,

xoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Claudia,

Thanks for the compliment on my drawing and on me. You always look pretty too. I hope you're making that collage book.

Take care,

Love Barbara

David Lobenberg said...

Very nice drawing. I like your use of thick/thin/ parallel lines...cool!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi David,

Thanks so much. Have I wished you
Happy New Year? Too late. Nope.
Happy New Year, it's still new.

Take care,

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Beautiful drawing of a beautiful woman! I also like your new avatar very much!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,
Thanks so much for the compliment. I've been thinking about changing my blog picture more often. Yesterday I realized how easy it is to do it.

I absolutely love your paintings.

xoxoxoBarbara

Theresa Rankin said...

I love this drawing!!! This is the best....and you look as happy and beautiful as you sound and look in your photos!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

I'm so glad you like it. I've been doing quite a lot of drawing lately.
So your encouragement is incredibly
welcome.

xoxoxoBarbara

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!