Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Back to the sea




Escape
acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

All week I've been fighting off the cold/flu that has laid
so many people low. I haven't got it -- thank you Cold FX,
but it's trying hard to get at me. So tonight it will be a short
blog. I was thinking today as I walked up the street a bit
with my friend, about what we tell ourselves, and how it
affects our mood, our health, our ability to create.

If we think of our heads as bells, and the message as the
ringing of the bell, what message do you clang over and
over again inside that brain? I caught myself walking home
through the magnificent late day light saying, "I'm tired,
I'm tired, I'm tired, I'm sooooo tired." "Whoa," I said. "How
does that message make you feel? Rotten right? Try saying
It's beautiful out here. I feel great. I feel wonderful. Am I
ever lucky! Wow! This is just an amazing day!" Now
how do I feel? Huh? Better? It's true.

There's no question that the second approach is the one
that will make your day. That said. I'm heading off to
bed because tomorrow is a very early start and a long day
of teaching. And to the person round the corner growing
a mass of lovely pink and white cosmos flowers. Thank you
for helping me stay on track.

Here is my second entry in the show.

Have a saying-the-right-messgae-to-yourself day.

8 comments:

Janie B said...

Excellent advice! Put it out there in the universe.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Janie,

Thanks so much -- I'm heading off to school to do just that! And I realize how lucky I am to know that's what I'll be doing today.

Take care,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara,
You are so right about what we tell ourselves...and how we have the power to change it.
I absolutely love your painting 'The Invitation', it is just fabulous...and what a super idea to include the painting in the background. Also think your choice of paintings for the show is great, as they echo each other well. Your 'Escape' painting is super too, on it's own.

Nicki said...

This is a really bold painting Barbara- great to look at. I hope you are feeling better... I've put a present on my blog for you.
Take care,
Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your kind support. We have to name our paintings for the show, and choose the sizes before the work is done sometimes. So the names called out the work, not the reverse. Then it seemed to make sense to connect them.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Thank you so much for the present. I am thrilled and appreciate it so much. I can't seem to display my prizes (I think because I have two slideshows), but please know that I am over the moon that you consider me worthy.

Take care,

Barbara

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,
I know you have been sick too. I saw your comment on my blog... please don't feel like this award is another thing to add to your to-do list. I know you are very busy... especially at the beginning of the school year it can be so crazy (my younger sister is a grade one teacher and my older sister is a professor at Guelph University, so I know). I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you, your blog and the support you give this online community. Please don't worry about doing anything more with it- just simply know it was left here for you and I was thinking of you.

All the best,
Nicki

Liza Hirst said...

This looks really good, Barbara! You've made everything tie together much more than before - super!
Hope you can fight off that cold for good! And thanks for the reminder about how our thoughts influence our moods - you are so right!

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!