Friday, February 5, 2010

Two gifts in one



Flowers for you
acrylic on canvas
12 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

In the middle of a strange day, trying to find out in which
direction to travel this weekend, there was a knock at
the front door. Lo and behold someone was giving my
neighbour flowers -- a gorgeous arrangement from
Demarco Perpich.

Years ago when I used to be editor of a glossy corporate
magazine, the art director for the magazine sent me
this type of lovely arrangement for Christmas every
year and it made me feel like a million bucks.

So today I brought the lovely arrangement into the
kitchen so it wouldn't get chilled in our somewhat
cooler hallway, and then sitting far enough away
that I wouldn't get paint on the lovely cellophane
wrapping, I painted this romantic arrangement
very happily, and with great exuberance.

The result is the painting you see before you. I
skipped the cellophane and made up the vase
because it was sitting in a small cardboard box and
I couldn't see it.

When I'd just finished and put the flowers back in
the hallway anticipating that my neighbour might be
home from work any second to pick up his gift,
there was a knock on the door again. And were the flowers
a Valentine's gift, or in celebration of his anniversary?
No. They were sent as a thank you for a very successful
business deal. I said "good for you!" very enthusiastically
indeed, and then said "do more of that! The flowers
are great."

And the painting? That can be our little secret.

Have a loving-everything-you-see day.

16 comments:

joco said...

...and there was me hoping this story would have an even happier happy ending with him saying:
"Here, you have them. My gift to you."

BTW, what a lovely bold, fresh style of painting.

DemarcoPerpich said...

Just beautiful! Peter Demarco, Demarco-Perpich flowers

Janie B said...

Lovely painting. You make it all seem so effortless and quick.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Joco,

The story has a happy ending because the flowers went to the lovely couple next door and their little baby girl. I always have flowers in my house, so I am not at all bereft, just delighted that I saw the flowers and created the painting.

Thanks for your kind comment.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Peter,

Wow! Thanks so much. I love your arrangements. The flowers and the design are amazing. I know you made my
neighbour very, very happy. Now you've made my day with your kind comment.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Janie,

You never know where inspiration will come from. I am so lucky that I've been around my excellent artist friends this week, and had so much fun. This plus the gorgeous flowers made the painting a complete treat to do.

Take care,

Barbara

Gwen Bell said...

I always look forward to your floral paintings. Your style and palette is so perfect for painting those beautiful ethereal blossoms!

laura said...

Gorgeous painting Barbara, with all the joyful color I so enjoy in your paintings. I love the line of leaves against the yellow; my eye moves all around the painting, finding great places to alight!

Tammy Hext said...

I love this one Barbara and how cool is it to get a comment from the fellow that designed the bouquet!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

Thanks so much. It was a real treat to do this one. I listened to wonderful music and sang, and felt like painting was my whole life.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

Thanks so much. It was a pretty beautiful arrangement. I just felt pure joy doing it. I guess that comes across, and I'm glad it does.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Tammy,

Thanks very much. I'm delighted that you like it. Yes I was very happy about that.

Take care,

Barbara

Sheila Vaughan said...

They are not colours I use Barbara as you know but I am always impressed by the way you get such a harmony going there. Together with the angle of the composition it makes for a very successful painting.

Barbara Muir said...

HI Sheila,

Sometimes everything is a delight when I paint, I know you must feel the same way. This was definitely one of those days. Thanks so much for your kind comment.

Take care,

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Amazing how you created this beautiful painting sort of "inbetween". You captured the abundance of the bouquet and your joy painting it! Lovely!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Well the bouquet was dropped off in the morning and picked up in the early evening, so it wasn't all that fast. But these flowers were such a powerful inspiration.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!