Saturday, February 26, 2011

Heading out to Ayr

Ready for Joy
(final version)
24 x 24 inches
Acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2011
(I worked on the painting a bit
more I admit since I sent in the
pro shot for the book.  It isn't
safe to leave some artists with
a painting.  They will always see
something else that could change.  I'm
very happy with it now, so that's
what matters.  What did I change?
I added blue to the background, added 
more shadow to the neck, changed
the shirt a bit.  Small changes,
oh a bit more highlight in places.
Every change I made makes me
happier with the work.)

It's only a week until I get to meet some of the great
artists on the blog.  The International Women Celebrate
show opens to the artists next weekend, and to the
 public on March 8th, the 100th anniversary of International
Women's Day.  At a time when the focus on citizen rights
has never been at a higher level, women's freedom, and
freedom of expression has to be at the top of the world's
attention.  But there are still so many places, where we
are not equal, and my work has taught me that some of
those places are right in the homes of women in our city,
Toronto.

That said the women in this show entered for purely
artistic, and social reasons.  They joined up because
friends whose work they liked in the blog world, and
who had become friends out of a mutual respect for each
other's creativity invited them to join.  Plain and simple.
There is no heavy political agenda, just an artistic one.
Women from all over the planet are part of a community
of artists.  Men are in that community too of course, but
this show is in celebration of International Women's Day.
So what's over the top exciting, but extremely hard to
communicate is that women from other parts of the world
including Holland, India and South Africa, convinced
(through blog writing and emails) friends they
had never met to submit work to this show.  I was finally
persuaded to join it by Nicki Ault from Saskatoon, and I'll get
to meet Nicki and other art bloggers I enjoy next Saturday.
And the show's in Ayr.  Where?  Ayr.  I've never been to
Ayr before, but I'm going there tonight with this beauty, so
I'll let all of you know what it's like.

Meanwhile, if you're out there reading this, and you know
someone who might write this terrific artistic happening
up, or get a TV camera out to the artists' opening on March 5th.
You are going to see a  fabulous show, and the biggest show of
women's art in Canada right now.  105,  24 x 24 inch paintings
plus 2 sculptures is a big, big show by any standard.  So I say
congratulations to all of us for getting it together.  The bonus?
Part of the proceeds from the sale of the works will go to helping
women and children in Haiti.  Now that's a worthwhile cause.

Have a planning-to-see-the-wonderful-show-in-Ayr day.

8 comments:

Nicki said...

Barbara, this is all so exciting. I am so glad my pestery emails worked! When I heard about the project I immediately thought of you and knew your contribution would be filled with joy and beauty as is all of your art. I truly felt that if anyone should be part of this collaboration of women artists, it is you.

Wow, in less than a week now I will be rubbing shoulders with THE Barbara Muir! Who knew?!!!

XO Nicki

Jill and Haida said...

I finally got to meet that gorgeous Barbara Muir. Loved Steven.

We had a blast with them both...they could only travel down on Saturday. They could not say no to one 2011 AyrSpace Snowed-In Series concert set by violin/fiddling wonder Anne Lindsay.

Did Barbara get to meet Jeanette? Not sure, but "Standing Tall" and "Ready for Joy" are hanging out together...

J.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

And I will be meeting THE Nicki Ault.

XOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Jill,

I didn't get to meet Jeanette because we had to leave. I'm sorry I missed her, but glad we left when we did because being cut off by transport trucks in freezing rain and heavy snow is not the most fun in the world.
Your gallery, and the concert and meeting you? The most fun.

XOBarbara

Linny D. Vine said...

Wishing you and your beautiful painting a wonderful time in Ayr!

Kim Rempel said...

And I get to meet BOTH Nicki and Barbara!
Lucky me! I look forward to Saturday my fellow women/ artits/blogger friends : )

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

My painting and I have already had
a great time in Ayr. The trick between now and the weekend will be remembering to sleep. I'm soooo excited.

XOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hey Kim,

And I get to meet you and Nicki, and Tammy and I don't even know who else will be there, but I can't wait.

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!