Sunday, September 12, 2010

Friends are on my mind



A Danish Painter in Norway
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(Not quite finished. I worked on the hair
tonight, starting to block in shapes,
and I filled in some of the painting
Henriette was working on as we talked.
So far I am very happy with the painting.
It's a big work, and a great pleasure to
work on, as I am thinking about Henriette -- her talent
and her wit the whole time I paint.)

It's been a busy, run around weekend kind of day, but my
friends are on my mind. In particular my thoughts are
with my friend, and mentor who has helped me so much
in working with the students at school. Tomorrow he is
undergoing serious surgery, and all of his friends are
sending him best wishes, and attempting to form a
circle of protective love out of thought. To me this is
one of the wonders of being a human being -- that
ability we have to reach out and touch other's lives
in meaningful ways, just by following our own chosen
path.

But the other quality we have that is amazing, is our
power of collective thought, our ability to direct
energy towards another human being, with the
result that the other fellow feels that energy. I'm sure
my friend will go to sleep tonight in his hospital bed
knowing that dozens of people are thinking about him.

I worked a little bit on my portrait of Henriette Sonne
tonight. We are definitely connected by thought, and
by the Internet. When I think about that it seems quite
miraculous that women in Norway and Canada can
almost feel like they're in the same room, from across
the planet.

Have a caring-for-your-friends day.

6 comments:

Kim Rempel said...

This portrait is coming along beautifully. It's stunning. I love all the bits of colour everywhere - it just crackles with energy. Best thoughts for your friend.

Linda Popple said...

Beautiful portrait beginning and beautiful thoughts. Wishing the best for your friend.

Melinda said...

Lovely portrait, Barbara!
I'm so glad that you have so many wonderful friends from around the world.

It's great, too, to see that your dear Fiona is doing so well!

Now, here's to a successful surgery for your friend and a speedy recovery!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thanks so much. My friend made it through the surgery, and is already doing well on the recovery. Whew!

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much for your kind comment, and the wishes for my friend. He is doing very well. Thank goodness.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,
I met Henriette in Florence at the Biennale. She is such a brave woman, planning to be in the show while she was pregnant, and then flying down from Norway with her work and a six month old, and two year old. In the photo for the painting I'm working on a high chair is in the corner, and it is midnight. There she is painting.

Yes I am so relieved that Fiona, one of the sweetest (if noisiest) cats on the planet is doing well.

My friend is also recovering well, which is good because many of his friends couldn't sleep at all they were so worried.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!