Monday, March 22, 2010

A house filled with flowers



Tulips First
watercolour sketch
watercolour on Arches watercolour paper
10 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(I called it tulips first, because the
tulips were the first to make it out
of the big enamel pitcher we keep
the flowers in in the kitchen
sink, until they're arranged
in vases all over the kitchen and
studio. The tulips insisted on
being first.)

There was a character in a movie we watched recently
who didn't like to have flowers in her house. She
must have been crazy. But today with school,
painting and marking I've noticed I bought
so many flowers yesterday that I haven't had time
 to arrange them all.

But before I made supper (my night), I did this
fast watercolour sketch of the tulips. I was trying
to stick to 20 minutes, but can't seem to create
anything in less than 30. So I roughed the whole
thing in in about 20, and when I went back at it
for a few minutes after supper, the tulips had
moved and grown and changed completely.

There was another wonderful program on crows
on CBC's Ideas program on CBC Radio tonight.
If it's there I'll include the link. School is early
tomorrow. I'm going to go and work on another
painting now. I wish you a lovely Tuesday.
It will be cold and rainy here, but everyone
seems in good spirits. We know that rain will
give us a beautiful flowering spring soon.

Have a-dreaming-of-gorgeous-gardens day.

14 comments:

Liza Hirst said...

Hi Barbara,
Sorry, I haven't commented for a while but life is taking over with everything a move involves. And it certainly doesn't mean that your paintings and watercolours don't speak to me! They are wonderful and I am in awe seeing your 20 - or 30 - minutes watercolours,wow! You are such a good painter! I love this one especially because I love tulips. Take care, my friend,
Liza

Melinda said...

You really have got the 20-30 minute painting down! I'm impressed. I've been away, but I'm loving your work. You are such an inspiration.

Hope you have all the time you want to paint any way you want. Love that you are painting various grounds. Yum!

And, the weather has got me manic to plant sunflower seeds. Looking forward to flowers galore.

joco said...

Hiya Barbara,
Found you again.
I get lost in the blogs. Now I recognize your style from the painting you did of flowers delivered to your neighbour in February.
Smashing picture of the 'tulips first'. You're on my list now, so you can't escape again :-)

cohen labelle said...

Barbara I love your watercolors!
I missed last night’s program on crows, but I caught the two part series last week on cats, tigers and lions - they’ve been around for 10000 years – the producer taped the roar of a lion, awesome!
So I’m wondering – do tulips roar also, or am I thinking about dandelions?
I loved the previous watercolor too.

xoxoxoxoxo Marcia

Ann Flower said...

I am amazed to see the painting of flowers. It looks awesome. You are a blessed artist. Keep on posting.

Linda Popple said...

30 minutes?!! Wow!! Love your happy tulips and always your thoughts!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

I imagine the move is really too much. I know it will end up being good, but oh may losing that lovely studio will be an adjustment.

I am thinking of you. Thanks as always for your kind encouragement.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I'm glad you like it. The short painting is the answer on days too filled with either a small change on a big painting, or very little time to paint. I forget everything about watercolour, but really enjoy it, even the forgetting part. And then I go back to my acrylics with renewed vigour. Yes I saw peat pots in the store tonight, and had to hold myself back. Maybe on the weekend.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Joco,

Glad you like my tulips and that you recognize my style.

Your blog is wonderful. I'm delighted that you've found me again.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

I do think the tulips in my house are roaring. They are such a magnificent orange red, with thick, juicy stems like luminous green bendy sticks. I love them The roses are still in the jog, not arranged and it's Wednesday. They are frantic like little girls in party dresses kept to long waiting in the supermarket line up. I better release them to run around the aisles tonight.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Sorry Marcia I'm rushing. That should read jug. The roses are in the enamel jug in the sink. Let me out, they say. But quietly.

xoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Ann,

Thanks so much for your lovely compliment. I am touched.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much. I am so glad you like the tulips. In that case I painted them for you! I so appreciate your kind thoughts.

Take care,

Barbara

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Love these tulips.
I love having flowers in the house and my faves are white spider mums which last a long time.
I think it's a worthwhile indulgence.

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!