Painting lifts the soul

Mother and daughter (detail)
coming down to the wire
with the mother and daughter portraits.
Here's the mother at this stage
I like how it's going. A bit more
polishing and refining needed.
acrylic and gold leaf on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

You have probably guessed that I'm a pretty social
being. I think if it was possible to earn a living
talking on the phone, having tea or coffee with
friends, and going to a couple of parties each week,
I'd grab that job. (As a young friend said the other day,
-- oh wait, I already have that job). Throw in a whole
lot of painting and drawing, and some teaching, cut out
some of the parties (my friends aren't always in a festive
mood) and that is my life.

But on a day like today I must admit that if I wasn't
painting I could be glum. Not full out blue down
to your shoes sad, no nothing so dramatic. Just
missing my son Christopher who left in a taxi at four
in the morning today. Sam and I stood on the
porch in our pajamas and waved him goodbye into
the rainy night. I didn't cry like I usually do, because
I was way too tired, but I did feel the import of the
moment, a feeling of loss.

The painting in a different light,
the gold paint and gold leaf
are luminous.

Painting is the obvious answer. I'm working away
on a big commission, and have to say I welcomed
even the problems, as relief from clocking the hours
of my son's 28 hour flight to Bali, and going over the
worry beads of a mother's love until I know he's
safely back with his girlfriend and on terra firma.
The dog and the cats are a bit sad too. Their solution
is sensible. Sleep. I'll try that next.

Have an action-lifts-your-spirits day.