Friday, July 31, 2009

Packing art



Suzanne in Paris
black marker on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(My friend Suzanne gave me this picture
a few years ago when she came back from
Paris. It's one of my favorite photographs
because I haven't quite captured the look
on her face, but she looks almost
smugly content. I love how her hair
is blowing around in the wind. But the
main thing is that she is a busy person
with a highly demanding job, and
she looks so relaxed and happy in the photo.
This is how I will be feeling in a couple of
days, or maybe even tomorrow. Count on it!)

Every year (except the nightmare of last year) when we
drive out to Nova Scotia, I haul along practically my whole
studio. Easels, paint, brushes, canvasses, and usually
bring all of it back with zero result in productivity.

I find that walking along the beach by the ocean empties
my mind of the desire to produce. In fact it clears my
city-clogged brain of every kind of city urge. Instead
of talking on the phone, I read, instead of shopping I
gather shells, instead of walking the dog in the park, I
walk along a beach so long and vast, that I could walk
for miles without seeing another human, and listen to
that glorious push, pull of the waves and seagulls whirling
above.

I'm not religious, or a church goer, but this is my church --
the beach. It is fulfilling just to be there.

That said, this year I plan (fingers crossed) to continue my
daily blog, continue to produce images, and continue to
do my work. One reason is that I have a lot of work to
do, and the other is that I'm determined to keep my blog
going on a daily basis.

But...if I don't respond right away to your comments, please
understand that I may be in a car crawling across 785 miles,
or 1263 kilometers to get to a schoolhouse with no running
water and an outhouse. I really want to return your comments
every day. So please know that. But for the next couple of
weeks, I may have a little trouble being prompt with my replies.

Have a loving-the-journey-of-life day.

12 comments:

eldon warren said...

We'll miss ya of course. And hope you do what ever feels right at the time even if it's walking on the beach for miles and letting a thing ot two slide for a bit as the batteries recharge. What ever it turns out to be just know we wish you a happy time.
EW

Barbara Muir said...

Hey Eldon,

Thanks so much. Boy it's a big job getting on the road. But we're going to make it. And happy. I have P.H.E. (Pre Holiday Excitement).

Don't worry I'm going to check out your Saturday blog, as soon as I can get a wireless connection.

Take care,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

happy holidays. we are also heading to Nova Scotia in one week from tomorrow. I LOVE Nova Scotia. I was born there, and i have a daughter living there. An old schoolhouse by the beach sounds sublime.

Christopher M. said...

don't break my laptop, if you're planning on bringing that shit with you, or else you know what my belated birthday present is going to be. Saw the most amazing life changing temples over these past few days. Going to the killing fields and s21 in a day. Wiki those two.

Have a great trip.
Love,
Your son.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Well sublime is a pretty funny description. We like it, but we compete for the space with determined squirrels. The outhouse is no party, and we have to drive 25 clicks to the beach (awe), but you are lucky to have been born there, because aside from everything else there it's been heaven.

Maybe we'll meet up in Pugwash.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hey Criff,

This is swear free blog. Please don't talk that way you bad boy!
Okay!

Not doing much Wiki stuff this morning. Happy Hysteria. But you know the scene. So glad you're loving everything.

Love Mommy

Liza Hirst said...

Have a great vacation, Barbara and Stephen!
I love your expression "smugly content" and agree with you - that's exactly what she looks like.
Nice drawing!

Karen Bruson said...

Great line drawing. So pleasant overall.

Aliaena said...

Wishing you and yours a fantastic vacation Barbara! (And from those of us who live in Paris - "smugly content" could be used to describe a lot of faces around here.) Bisous, Aliaena

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thanks so much. I am. Glad you like the drawing. Going to Quebec City today. Can't wait.

xoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much. The photo is so great.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Aliaena,


Thanks so much. I'm not opposed to "smugly content" as long as it's not a mean thing. Suzanne is the farthest thing from mean.

Bisous to you,

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!