Friday, July 3, 2009

Cherries -- Abundance exemplified



Our cherry tree this afternoon
We've almost picked enough
for a pie (4 cups pitted).

I've been painting so hard, that if it weren't for my dog
whimpering every now and then, I might not even get
outside for a whole day. What a pity that would be right
now when the cherry tree is coming into the height of
its glory. True I love it when it's covered with blooms,
but now thick with red, rosy coloured, and still not
ripe yellow cherries, it is so beautiful, I could spend the
day just feasting my eyes on it, and picking its lovely
fruit. The juice runs down your hands and arms as you
pick and its a very sensual experience.

The deep green leaves are so lush. I start thinking
about how stupid we are in this province to cover
up our farm land with cheap housing moving farther and
farther north -- when just this one little fruit tree could
probably yield enough fruit for a whole neighbourhood
to make pie, if we had more people working on it.

Then switching off my political self I imagine paintings of
the leaves and the berries, I can see some old Laura Ashley
fabric I used to own -- a print of cherries and the brilliant
green leaves and wonder where it is. But it's time to get back
to work on my current portrait until the dog hauls me
back out again.



At the Market
acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Almost finished. Remember
we were having a conversation
a few days ago about overdoing detail.
I am actually not finished the detail here,
and I have work to do on the subject's
face and hands. I'll be finished
tomorrow and will show you the changes then.
This lady sells vintage quilts, and whatever
your thoughts the details just have to be there.
Now I need more detail on the face, hands,
glasses, hair, and the fabric in the front,
plus more shadow, and highlights to the
degree possible without taking away
from the design of the fabrics.)

Have a noticing-what's-beautiful day!
Happy 4th of July to all my American friends,
and Happy Birthday Marilyn! We miss you.

8 comments:

Susan Carlin said...

What a wonderful painting! This detail definitely supports the subject, so go for it!
Let me know when the cherry pie is ready...

Liza Hirst said...

This is beautiful, Barbara! Actually with the detailed quilts in the background it comes to life!
Now the expression of the woman makes sense (hope what I'm trying to say makes sense...)And the trees at the upper edge break up the overall patterns very well - clever! You are right, here the deatils are necessary.
Lovely photo of your cherry tree - our's wlooked like that over a month ago.

Tammy Hext said...

I think the details are needed too. The quilts remind me of the quilt I had on my bed as a kid (butterfly pattern). Cannot wait to see the finished piece.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

Thanks a lot. I think Steven will be making the pie today -- Sunday. Come on up!

xoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

HI Liza,

Thanks so much. I worked on the face again today, and now I have to more or less undo what I've done. Oh well. I'm so happy you like it, and I get what you say. Lucky you with cherries a month ago.

xoxoxoxBarara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Tammy,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like it. I love quilts too.

Take care,

Barbara

eldon warren said...

The encroachment of a place to live onto valuable land is taking place every where we look. Around here the county has taken to buying up land and letting it be natural and accessable to everyone. I love our open space program.
EW

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

Around here it's all business, business, business -- but it should be
farming on farm land, not construction and badly built houses.

Meanwhile more pie. You live in a good place.
Take care,

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!