Monday, April 27, 2009

Painting all day



New Day
36 x 48 inches
acrylic on canvas

If you know me you'll know that I'm not a 12 hours in a row painter.
I need lots of breaks, to stand back and dream, to plan,
to go away, to read my book, to talk on the phone and read
your blogs. I crave that type of art experience.

Today I locked myself in the studio with a coffee, came out
to breathe a few times, had lunch, looking at my paintings,
but other than that never left the room.

I painted from 8:30 this morning (also not my favorite
time to paint) until 7:30 this evening because my paintings were
going in an exhibition tonight. I know some of you paint
on that kind of a schedule every day, and I bow to you,
but I find it a tough go. I listened to books on CD,
and the radio. When I used to be a journalist I'd frequently
have three or four people sitting with me while I typed
the final version, and they'd read it, and find typos and
ask questions until I thought it was ready to send off.
Today I got some of my big paintings off the wall, and
brought them in to be with me while I painted, to tell
me what to do. I'd see a lick of light here, a way of
treating shadow there, and I was comforted by my
beautiful (in my eyes) completed work. Then later
in the day a very good friend came by and sat with me
while I put the finishing touches on the two big
portraits. One of the painters I read said he gets
looser as he progresses in a painting, that definitely
happened with this one. I was up against the wall
metaphorically, but it looks like I was having the time
of my life. And I was. It's been a really wonderful day.

Have a painting-hard-and-loving-it day.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Absolutely beautiful and it shows that you enjoyed the process!

Karen Bruson said...

Barbara, Well, the long painting day certainly paid off. The colors and composition are awesome!

r garriott said...

Congratulations on making your deadline. I'm amazed at all you have accomplished! The paintings posted this past week are breathtaking, and will make a wonderful display of your artistry.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Barb,

Thanks so much. It was especially enjoyable right at the end when I was both the most tense and the most relaxed.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

I'm really glad you like it. I do think the work on the smaller paintings helps out with the larger ones in a big way.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi R.,

You are so sweet. Your paintings absolutely dazzle me, and I thought of you and your long hours in the studio as I painted yesterday and thought man -- R. is a toughie.

Take care,

Barbara

Laurel Daniel said...

This is another beauty! And that is a full day - it takes a lot of energy, physically and mentally!

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!