Civilization

 

 View out of the glass shell at the 

Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto

Black marker on bond paper

6 x 9 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

I am a big fan of the humanizing influence of culture.
In this city it's exciting to visit cultural spaces and see
how we all get along, and are raised above the petty
concerns of the day -- such as Monday's divisive municipal
elections in Toronto -- by the presence of art, and great architecture.
Art and architecture definitely contribute to increased levels
of something I value -- sanity.

Today I met my friend Susan Filshie, a landscape architect,
city planner, and wonderful painter for tea at the Art Gallery
of Ontario.  We had a delightful time.  First we enjoyed
full service tea in the members' lounge.  Then we both love
the Group of Seven and headed straight for those paintings.
I love going through a gallery with a friend who is passionate
about painting.  I learn so much.  Susan's observations on
everything from painting techniques, to how the work was
framed were delightful.  I felt like I was playing hooky,
but I was studying my subject, learning, learning, learning.

The Cathedral like walkway at the Art Gallery of Ontario

The Group of Seven bowl me away every time because their
work is still so innovative, their colour so fresh and
experimental, and their passion for both painting and the
wilderness is clear.  We put so much energy into just
looking that we were tired after an hour or so, so we
made a last stop at the glorious cathedral like walkway that
runs the full length of the front of the Frank Gehry redesign.
There we sat down for a minute. Looking out at the city I was filled
with nostalgia for the way the city looked when I was at
OCAD (The Ontario College of Art and Design) and like
all first year students was asked to draw these old houses.
The school is right next to the art gallery -- a civilized
arrangement. I did a small sketch of what I saw for you,
in the style we that were encouraged to try when I was a student.

Have an enjoying civilization day.