Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A California baby

charcoal on Canson lily paper
12 x 14 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

The newest member of our wider family came into
the world with great ease less than a month ago.  So
when her birth notice arrived with a gorgeous photo
of the baby -- Rae -- I just had to draw her.  She
is my niece and baby sister to Rose who will
be three in May. I love both of the girls although
I haven't been to California since before Rose was
born, so I only know them in pictures.

Drawing newborns is tough because it's so easy to go
too far.  The baby's face is so perfect that it's
impossible to reproduce it, but I can give you the feeling --
her bright look, her soft face.  How I wish I could be
in California right now, hold her in my arms and give
her big sister a huge hug.  Little Rae, I hear,  is that most
cherished of babies -- a good sleeper, just like her sister Rose.

I have been consumed with marking this week and need
to catch up on blogging, and on checking out your work.
Please be patient with me. I will get there.

Have a loving-your-babies-big-and-small day.

4 comments:

CHRIS MURRAY said...

I was just looking at some Picasso line drawings and then saw your blog post-you can express so much with simple lines which you've done beautifully with Little Miss California. Now I have to look up canson lily paper.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much. It's actually Canson mi-tient lily paper. Lily is the colour -- just a little off white. Thanks so much for the tremendous compliment.

XOBarbara

Nicki said...

What a sweet little face. I love that soft hairline- so true to life for a little babe.

Congrats to your family on this wonderful addition.

Nicki XO

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Nicki,

You're absolutely right. She has that very fine, fuzzy baby hair. So adorable.

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!