Thursday, February 18, 2010

Two years of blogging today





Breakfast in the hotel
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

Two years ago today I sat down at this very computer for
the first time and wrote my first blog. My son helped me
get started because I had no idea how to begin a blog.
That seems funny now after blogging every single day
since that one, but it was a big step then. My motivation
at the time was being able to comment on my friend
Norene Smiley's blog about an upcoming show. The
show has long since past, and the artists didn't keep
up that blog, more's the pity. But I am eternally
grateful to them for creating the blog that pulled me
into this world.

Tonight we toasted the blog, and all of you, for
helping me reach this anniversary. I feel like
my career as an artist changed dramatically when
I entered this cyber world. I'd been drawing and
painting for my whole life, and having shows and
selling for quite a while. But the blog gave me a
community, a whole world of artists who are
magnificent, and disciplined, funny and kind.

I have always had friends, and couldn't have
envisioned wanting more. But the blog world
surprised me by introducing me to people I
could never have met in my day-to-day life,
and fostering real friendships with these
people. I know for certain that I will meet
many of my blog friends, and I am so looking
forward to those reunions, because they will
be meetings with old friends.

And the blog world is like a giant art school,
with teachers (fellow art bloggers) everywhere
sharing their joys, secrets, tough decisions, and
ways of managing difficult problems in their
paintings, and out in the art world. I have
learned so much.

By now I'm blatantly addicted to the activity
of blogging, and astounded at the results.

I'm including a little painting I did in our
hotel room last weekend. The subject matter
is simple. One of the services I really like in
hotels is room service. I love hanging that
sign on the door at night, and getting
breakfast delivered, by a waiter rolling
the table laden with delicious goodies into
the room. The tiny bottles of jam and ketchup
make me feel like a pampered child, and
then there's the luxury of drinking cup after
cup of coffee.

Have an enjoying-your-breakfast day.

21 comments:

cohen labelle said...

I shouldn’t be up this late, but since I am – congratulations! This is lovely! You are a super blogger! This is lovely! I1ve said that already. I don’t know how you do it. I guess staying up late helps. Talent obviously!!!

Xoxoxoxoxoxo
Marcia

Susan Carlin said...

Happy Blogiversary, Barbara! This bloggy world is a bountiful blessing to this artist's heart, as well. You help make that so. Great big hugs...

Liza Hirst said...

Congratulations from me, too, Barbara! I am glad you did start blogging so that we could get to know eachother - a big enrichment to my life!
And - this is a lovely painting! I like the dark lines around the objects, which remind me of Matisse, one of my favorite artists. And the different coloured shadows are cool too!

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

I wanted to leave my congratulations to you as well. How lucky for us that you got this wonderful blog going two years ago. It is always a highlight of my blog browsing when I swing by yours to see what positive thoughts and joyous paintings you might be sharing on any given day. And this painting is lovely.

Take care,

Nicki XO

Melinda said...

Congratulations, Barbara!!! You've accomplished quite a feat.

This painting is gorgeous too! I'm really enjoying the contrasts a lot.

I hope you are wearing gold stars all over your forehead. :)

We're so glad we found you.

Gwen Bell said...

Here's to you, Barbara!(clink)All of your faithful followers are so glad you started this blog. I have so thoroughly enjoyed seeing your beautiful work and reading your interesting/entertaining posts and getting to know you as a dear friend. Here's to many more years! (double clink!)

eldon warren said...

I've known you now for most of that two years. It has been a pleasure and a road I'd gladly travel again.
EW

Linny D. Vine said...

Congratulations, Barbara,the world is a better place because of all that you share with all of us! Another beautiful painting with your signature colors!

Sheila Vaughan said...

Very nice painting Barbara - it has a Cezanne feel to it. Congratulations on the two years blogging.

Dean Grey said...

Happy Blogging Anniversary, Barbara!

-Dean

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

I don't know where I've been that I haven't responded. But thank you, thank you, thank you. Love your life drawings. Man that model's foot over the stool -- that is something else.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much. The blog world is most definitely a blessing. Thank you for being part of that bounty for me.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

I've just remembered why I didn't respond yet. I was out for lunch yesterday with a dear friend I've known since my childhood. The restaurant is like a second home to him, so he was treated like a king, and we ended up moving our cars to avoid tickets, and coming right back to sit down and have another espresso. It reminded me of Italy, and made me nostalgic at the same time.

Then I painted until bed time. Alas. Thank you so much. I'm so glad you are an inspiring blogger, and that I have met you. I hope one day we can spend an entire afternoon talking and laughing in a café.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

I feel the exact same way when I visit your blog. Your writing style is wonderful, and your paintings are exquisite. Thank you so much.

XOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

You should be wearing gold stars all over your forehead for that beautiful cloud painting. I don't even know how you made that blue but I want to. It is very true that clouds differ from place to place. I have seen clouds very like yours here, but perhaps without the wispy curls. But you taught me to stare at them. Every time I see a cloud like yours I feel so excited, like it's a message sent from Tucson.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

We were so delicate with the little bottle of champagne that there's still some left. I promise to raise a little glass to you in the next day or so. I am so glad to have met you, and that I get to see your wonderful art all the time. It always inspires me and keeps me going.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

Yes. I am so glad you are my friend. I love your paintings, and your writing, and just feel happier than a happy-go-lucky painter knowing I have a friend down there in Colorado. A damn good one too.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

Thank you so much. How incredibly exciting it is to meet amazing artists like you in the blog world. I love your paintings. They sing, and speak and dance. They are completely yours, and just fabulous.

It's a treat every time to visit your blog.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sheila,

What you have done with snow scenes in recent days defies description! I sit staring at your paintings in total awe. What incredibly wonderful brush work, abstraction, clarity and beauty. Thank you so much. I am completely honoured. Cezanne -- one of my favorites!

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Dean,

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind encouragement.

Take care,

Barbara

Laurel Daniel said...

Congratulations on TWO YEARS!!! Wow! I am so impressed - you post every day, so disciplined! I am thankful for the blogworld and getting to know YOU! Congrats again! XOXOXO

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!