Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Teach the teacher



First stage of a new painting
about the ocean and tide
pools at the beach
we love in Nova Scotia. It looks
like the orange band needs to be straightened.
acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches




The painting above will
soon look like a larger version
of this little one which is 8 x 8 inches

School has started again and it's time for me to
teach this teacher how to balance my art with my
teaching. The answer is quite simple. Do it.
Paint and teach. I think I'm lucky that I don't
teach painting, so my brain and I get to leap
into a completely different way of thinking at school.

Back home, I read for a minute, and I'm back in the
studio. The principle of "while" comes in. While
paint is drying I'm drawing for another painting,
studying a face, figuring out what tomorrow's
painting demands will be. David Lobenberg is
right. A painter's job is never done. Aren't we lucky
that that's true.

Have a lucky-to-be-who-you-are day.

8 comments:

Tammy Hext said...

I love the composition and colour in the 8x8. I can't wait to see it in the larger format.

Anonymous said...

Barbara, just so your viewers know, I bought that little painting, which is a portrait of me and I ADORE it!!!! I'm now wondering what the big one will look like :-)
It looks better in real life than it does on your blog. I haven't hung it up yet..nor any paintings here for that matter. We are still arranging things.
It is really special to have a portrait of myself and it brings back very fond memories of our walk along your beach in Nova Scotia.
Thank you for your beautiful work, your energy and your wonderful blog!
Flora

Janie B said...

Love this one! Bright and beautiful.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Tammy,

Thanks so much. You can see how it's coming along now.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hey Flora,

That was such a lovely walk that morning. We've been having super weather here, but today it's a bit cold and damp. And in the fine weather the diminishing hours of sunlight are a bit of a shock.

Right back at you, on your beautiful work, your fabulous blog and your kind friendship!

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Janey,

I'm so delighted that you like it. It now lives in the province that inspired it -- Nova Scotia.

Take care,

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Barbara, you are amazing - how often have I said that now?! I really admire (and envy) your energy! What is your secret?
Great idea to paint this gem on a larger scale - it cries out for that!

eldon warren said...

Hi Barbara, I, like Flora have one of your paintings. I havn't hung it up either. It resides permanently on my desk here beside my monitor. I see it every time I'm here working.
Thanks again for that one.
Eldon

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!