Sunday, February 28, 2010

Well worth seeing



Portrait of my father
black marker on bond paper
7 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir 2010
(I'm happy for my father that
the Canadians won Olympic Gold
in Hockey tonight. He was a
major hockey fan, and would
have been shouting out instructions
and gesticulating wildly as he
watched the game today. He
would have loved that we won
the Gold on his birthday.
Here he is sitting in his favorite
chair, outside in his favorite
place his home with a view
on the Ottawa River.)

While I think of it last night we saw a great film
Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in Invictus.
What an amazing movie. The election of
Barack Obama was a significant moment in
history, and so were the fantastic events in
this movie about Nelson Mandela and
South Africa. At school I look out at a sea
of faces from places all over the world, and it
breaks my heart to think that people would
actively dislike another person -- anyone in
that room -- because of the colour of their skin.
What a stupid bunch of people we have been
all over the world in that regard. The movie
tackled this theme in a respectful, kind and
moving way.

It is my father's birthday. It feels like he's been
dead a long time. The world has changed so
much since he left it. I miss him, and would
love to be able to bring him into my classroom
and introduce him to my students. I think he
would be proud of me and how I work, and
I know he would be delighted that I am doing
so much painting, something he loved to do
himself. Happy Birthday Father wherever
you are.

Have a-giving-your-neighbour-a-hug day.

5 comments:

Melinda said...

Go Canada!!! We cheered when we heard.

I'd like to think that your father is beaming about this win from somewhere happy and safe. I'll bet that if he ever gets a glimpse of you and your work, he grins from ear to ear.

Haven't seen Invictus, but now will look forward to seeing it.

Great news for you and Canada! Your portrait of your father is fantastic. I do love how you vary your lines!

Laurel Daniel said...

Your father would be SOOOOOOOOO proud of you. He would love the woman you are: creative, supportive, loving, interesting, thoughtful, kind... and an incredible teacher and artist. This is a wonderful drawing, too. Happy Birthday to your Dad! XOXOXO

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

This is possibly my favorite sketch of yours to date. You did your dad proud. Happy birthday to him and happy memories to you.

Nicki Xo

P.S. I loved Invictus, too. Morgan Freeman was born to play Nelson Mandela. One of my favorite parts was when the rugby team went to teach the kids how to play. Very powerful.

Gwen Bell said...

Love the fine detailed lines in this. I can tell it was drawn with a lot of love!

Liza Hirst said...

Beautiful drawing of a handsome and kind looking man. He would definitely be very proud of you, Barbara!Your post is very touching and makes me think of my father, whom I also loved dearly.

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!