Monday, December 27, 2010

Small things matter

 Untitled at the moment
(Work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

What do I mean by the title?  I mean that artists are
affected by small things in the way of what happens
in a day.  When the details are positive, we feel better,
and we're frequently tipped into dysfunction by
what might be insignificant irritants to other people.
So Christmas and its attendant delights and stresses
is a huge distraction for artists, and I could not wait
to get the dining room table covered up with my work
table plastic, and get back to the business of art.

I loved Christmas, and will thoroughly enjoy New Year's
Eve and day, but there is work to do.  So what were the
small things that turned today into a productive day?
I got time to drink my two coffees and read some of the
wonderful book Christopher and Megan gave me for
Christmas.  There were nectarines at the store.  I went for
a short walk with Steven and the dog, and saw a spectacular
sunset.  I had a nap, and dreamt about this painting.  In
my dream it was nothing like this, but I knew I wanted
to do a close-up face.  Alyson Stanfield said to clean up,
so I went through my reference shots, and even some
drawings I didn't like and turfed them into the Recycle bin
with a giant sigh of relief.  I knew I was looking for a
reference for this painting, found it and began.  Et voila as
they say.  It is a long way from done, and I see a million
things that need changing, but thanks to Steven, Zoey the dog,
the beautiful and delicious nectarines, and the sunset, it's
all good.

My message is simple, take care of yourself and the rest will
follow.  I see that the forehead has to change and get higher,
the teeth are too white and not right exactly, and much more,
but I feel ecstatic at this beginning.  In fact I have big news
for you coming up.  I apologize for not keeping my word and
posting through Christmas.  It just turned out to be impossible,
so I let myself off the hook.  I hope you had a very Merry
Christmas, and I wish you all a happy holiday.

Have a taking-care-of-the-small-things-first day.

6 comments:

Kim Rempel said...

Yes, small things matter : ) This is a radiant painting Barbara! Happy New Year!

Gwen Bell said...

Love the contented, happy expression. Beautiful painting, Barbara!

Anonymous said...

Not posting over Christmas is AOK by me. great start on this painting Barbara!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thanks very much. I'm almost finished my painting for the show! Yikes. Happy New Year to you.
This is not that painting.

XOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

Thanks so much. I hope you are feeling better. Please take care of yourself. Happy New Year.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Yes. I've just given myself permission not to get everything done. Which is good, because I can't get everything done.

Happy New Year to you. I look forward to a year of your paintings.

XOBarbara

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!