Thursday, May 27, 2010

My favorite kind of day


In the park -- ready for summer
Final version
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(I'll take a more accurate colour photo
next week.)

As you know I've been working for a while on a family
portrait. Today my client came to pick the painting
up, and loved it. That is always such a good feeling --
one I can't even describe. I was really proud of this
painting. It felt I'd achieved what I'd like to do with
a portrait -- create a feeling and mood, plus capture
my impression of the sitters' personalities.

I do not have a really accurate photo of the final product.
The colour that you've seen in earlier photos is much more
like the true colour of the painting. When I took the painting
outside to photograph it, the tint in every photo was completely
washed in blue. This has never happened before.

The incredibly happy ending to the story? It was a surprise
anniversary present for the children's father, and he's
written me a thank you note that I'll treasure always. He
feels that the painting represents all that he and his wife
have created as a family. I was close to tears reading the note.
My job as a portrait painter is frequently inspiring in every
way, but this has been an outstanding day.

Have a thanking-the-people-who-add-meaning-to-your-life day.

6 comments:

Elizabeth Seaver said...

It is a lovely portrait, Barbara. No wonder they loved it!

Linda Popple said...

Fantastic! It not only represents these great children, but one can see the happiness in this painting. No wonder your clients love it - I do, too!!

Gwen Bell said...

Oooooh! LOVE it! I could tell this was going to be a great one. I think it is my all time favorite. You continue to get better and better with ever richer layer of those fantastic colors of yours.

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Elizabeth.
It does make me so happy. I have to get a colour correct shot of it this week.

Take care, and thanks for your support.
Love the beach umbrellas.

Barbara Muir said...

Linda,

I'm glad you see the happiness. These children are so loved. Isn't that everything/ Their mother's face softens in a tender way when she talks about them. So great.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hey Gwen,

I'm learning from you! You and the other artist bloggers are teaching me so much. Thanks for that, and for your wonderful support. Fingers crossed for you.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!