Monday, November 23, 2009

Renaissance women and the "H" word


Portrait head of Lita, clay version
by Marcia Labelle © 2009
(My friend Marcia just started her blog
yesterday. This is the second work
on it. Get ready to be dazzled).

Okay I ended up spending the day on administrative
tasks, and marking, and didn't get far enough with
my painting to show you anything. I apologize. But
just like the bakery that doesn't have one variety
of cookie, I do have something else to show you.

My friend Marcia Labelle has started a blog and her
work is fabulous beyond compare. Marcia is a
wonderful friend, with a superb wit, a great laugh
and she is a Renaissance woman. She trained as
an actor in New York and Britain -- hit the boards
around England, came back to Canada and studied
art, became a world class sculptor and also paints
and draws figures that will make you swoon.

The topic of renaissance women, or people (men
included) for that matter, is one I understand.
My training was both in art and literature. I've
earned a living painting, writing and teaching.
Like many freelancers I understand the multiple
paths choice. Today someone asked me if
art was my hobby. The reason for that was
innocent enough -- the thought line being that
if I teach, how can I be an artist really? How?
My answer was yes I teach, and I'm also an
artist, or you can flip it depending on the day.

Tip for future reference. Any artist worth her/his
salt is allergic to the "h" word. Hobby. Art
for most of us is a passion, an itch in our souls,
a need, a part of each day, a blessing, but it is
not a hobby. It is play, and hobbies are about
play, but hobby is a light word for a deep process.

Marcia volunteered to step into the breech for me
today knowing I'm working very hard right now.
So my image today is of her wonderful sculpture.
Please go to her blog and tell her how glad you
are that she's come out into the blog world.

Have a living-in-the-Renaissance day.

7 comments:

cohen labelle said...

Hi Barbara,
I am at once flattered and mortified by your kind remarks. The time I spent in England and NY was my other life long before I knew you - I was never really a stage person, too introverted for that. However I have been an adoring fan of you and your incredible work since day one. xxxooo Marcia

Patrice said...

Thank you for sharing cohen's work. I couldn't resist signing up to follow her. One rarely sees sculptural work of that quality in blogland.

Melinda said...

Excellent post, Barbara. What kind of hobby does a painter have anyway? Maybe, genealogy research, math, medical issues or cooking? It certainly is something that is fun, but not a calling on one's life. For me it's playing the electric guitar...poorly, but with enthusiasm. So, I hear you and hope to continue toward renaissance.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and for the link to Marcia's fabulous work!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

No I saw you in a play once and you were magnificent, with a gorgeous, compelling voice.

xoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Patrice,

get ready to be dazzled. Marcia is the kind of artist who excels at whatever she does. And she's modest, but we're working on that.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I guess my hobby then is singing off key and annoying my "audience."
But heck it's fun.

You are funny miss.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Liza Hirst said...

Thank you for introducing us to the wonderful work of your friend!
She IS really good! I will definitely visit her blog in the future!

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!