Sunday, August 29, 2010

Thanks for your help everyone



I was so delighted to be showing at the Amsterdam
Whitney Gallery last May. To see me interviewed by
Kristal Hart of MNN click here.

I am influenced by everything around me and
everything I see. The critical question with
these paintings was how to narrow my choices
down? My first impulse was to honour
water and the pleasure I've been lucky enough to
enjoy my whole life spending summers near water --
first as a child at the cottage on Lake Mazinaw that
my parents rented every summer,
then as an adult with my family in Nova Scotia.

Last week my sister was asking me what
I love about being near the ocean in the summer,
and I appreciate so many things that I could hardly
answer her. I love the sound -- nothing else sounds like ocean
waves. I love the look of the light on the wide water.
I love walking along a deserted beach, or seeing children
building sand castles, and dogs playing in the surf.

I'm not finished with this Water Image series.
Eventually I hope to paint enough work to go all
the way around a gallery space. And each painting
will be unique, as each person has their own ideal
ocean setting, and I'll paint each subject in that setting.

Have a treasuring-the-summer-place-you-love day.

12 comments:

Liza Hirst said...

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
Barbara, thank you so much for showing us this interview! It made me happy and all smiley this morning - a great start of the day. You look absolutely gorgeous, beautiful, modern, artsy and and and...
What impressed me mostly was the calm and eloquent way you talked about your paintings (which look fantastic!)and answered the questions. I would probably have stuttered and flipped my hands all over the place with nervousness.

Last but not least - I LOVE your haircut and the way individual strands pop out at the bottom!

Chapeau, my friend! I am so happy for you!

David Lobenberg said...

I agree with Liza...nice relaxed, personal approach on this clip and that haircut!... the way individual strands pop out at the bottom!!! :-)
I just got of Liza's blog, and liked her work so much that I am putting her on my blog list. I also dig your work (and individual strands) and am finally getting around to putting your blog on my blog list as well.

cohen labelle said...

Barabara

Congratulations!!!!! What a great, fantastic interview, great presence!!! I think Liza and David said it perfectly. I think I've watched it at least 10 times now and I think I'll watch it another 10 times - can't get enough!
Such a cutie you are!
Also Kristal Hart did an excellent job of interviewing and producing.

love Marcia

Linda Popple said...

I am VERY impressed! I agree that your hair looks amazing - actually all of you looks amazing! Great interview!

Kim Rempel said...

Awesome!! What a great job you did. And I give your hair props too! You spoke with poise and eloquence. I enjoyed the background information on the paintings too - I hadn't read that before. The skin is so wonderful on those pieces. They feel like fresh air.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you liked the interview. Kristal Hart is a real sweetheart. The individual strands were not deliberate. But hey! I'm so incredibly glad you liked everything.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi David,

So glad you liked my haircut. You know I dig your work too. I'm delighted you've added me to your
blog list -- it's a pretty impressive list. Yes Liza's work is exceptional. I've been loving your grapes of joy -- just incredible paintings.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

It never ceases to amaze me that you are my friend. 20 times! I'm pretty sure you beat my record with that one.
It's true Kristal did a great job. Everyone I encountered in New York was so wonderful. Ruthie Tucker, the gallery director is a terrific person and the gala opening was gala indeed.

Maybe you can come to the opening next May.

Love Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your sweet comments.
It was a truly wonderful occasion, and
I think my excitement at being part of it comes through. I'm delighted that you liked the interview.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

I'm really glad you like the interview. I feel like my blog friends have powered me to take some
brave steps in the past year -- showing in New York was one of them. And I loved New York -- every minute. The kindest people, the coolest museums, the best food. So fantastic.

Take care,

Barbara

Melinda said...

I'm so proud of you, Barbara, for reaching out and pushing past any doubts with your art, with exhibiting it anywhere you like. You are being so brave and you know that all your hard work is paying off.

It's so true that artist bloggers feed our souls to keep going!

Best wishes always!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

You know better than most that when life gives you an opportunity it's a good idea to run with it. It's been an amazing time. And true each step is a learning experience, and a shock at the same time. Pretty good shocks at this point. Meanwhile at the core is painting, and this vital community powers me. Thank you for all of your wisdom, encouragement and humour.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

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!