Thursday, March 19, 2009

Always sketching



Unfinished interior sketch
marker on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches

Whenever I'm on the phone, on hold, waiting, or talking
for pleasure, I draw if I have a sketchbook and a pen.
That's why I try to keep a drawing materials ready.
In an artist's house, hiding the art materials is a lot
harder than finding them -- pens, paper, paint -- the
stuff is everywhere.



Sketch study for kitchen table painting
marker on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches


If I know I'll be talking to a friend for awhile, I
scramble to find something to draw. I've drawn my
room several times, interiors from photographs,
friends, my family, sketches of the portrait commissions
I'm working on, and whatever's in front of me.



Unfinished interior sketch
marker on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches

When the phone call ends the sketch ends. Later
when I discover these sketches I enjoy what was
left out, as much as what I finished. I'm not good
at leaving out detail. But the chair leg is incomplete,
the ceiling odd, the packed table bizarre. Everything
looks more formal in a painting, even when it's
a quick sketch. The drawing sketch can be light, lyrical
and forgiven for being exactly what it is -- a
sketch, nothing more.

Have a wait!-I-want-to-draw-while-we-talk day.

8 comments:

Mary Anne Cary said...

Barbara,
These are great sketches, and a great idea. Love your St. Pats celebration. My son's Birthday, 22 yrs. Always a great day for us. Love your work!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary Anne,

Thanks so much. Happy Irish Birthday
to your son. 22 is a great age, growing up a bit, but still very young.

Congratulations on your son's birthday. Thanks for your kind comments.

Barbara

Melinda said...

You certainly prove the importance of drawing as foundational to good work. I love your drawings/sketches. They are...You are fabulous!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

No -- you are fabulous! Thanks very much. I love your new painting too.

xoxoxoBarbara

Edward B. Gordon said...

those sketches are wonderful Barbara ! fantastic, and thank you so much for all you kind comments !

best Edward

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Edward,

Thanks so much. Your work is a constant inspiration.

Take care,
Barbara

Laurel Daniel said...

These sketches are so simple and elegant. You have such a great eye for shapes.

Liza Hirst said...

Yes, your sketches are wondeful! And as far as I am concerned they aren't unfinished - their simplicity is what I like about them. So inspiring, Barbara! Thank you.

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!