Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Some sketches for you

 View out the window in Toronto
Black marker on bond paper
5 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
(Forgive the quality of my
photos today.  The best
light is in the washroom, but even
there it is not that bright.)
We headed out for New York today.  I have a lingering
on-the-edge cold, so took the decongestants the
pharmacist prescribed, almost worked.  There
is a lot of waiting when you're flying.  Despite my
cold we were happy, and luxuriated in the time to sit,
to wait, to enjoy a coffee together.

I bought a Moleskin notebook and sketched until
my pen succumbed to the pressure on the plane,
and started leaving black blobs of liquid ink on the page.
I was inspired by all of you as I drew, but in particular
two people, David Xu, from the Don Valley Art
Club, who showed me his sketchbook when I
went to Studio Vogue for the Jeremy Lipking
video evening.  David's sketchbook deserves a
show all on its own.  His drawings are beautiful.
He paints in a formal high realism style, which
is greatly admired, but his many sketches done
travelling the subway in Toronto show a completely
different side of his art.
 Runway tractors Pearson Airport Toronto
Black marker on bond paper
5 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

Then I was thinking of Edward B. Gordon who says
he doesn't think about what, or who he's painting,
just shapes.
Ready for take off
Black marker on bond paper
5 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
Unloading the plane
Black marker on bond paper
5 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
 I had a lot of fun until my pen resisted.  I took a different
pen to dinner, so there may be more sketches tomorrow.
So far we have had a super time.  Stuffed filet of sole for
dinner at a wonderful Spanish restaurant in Chelsea,
then we walked from Chelsea back to our hotel which
is near the park.  It's cool here, and the rain stopped
tonight, so it was magnificent at Time's Square
-- filled with people, all the stores open at midnight.
Such vibrant energy, we do love New York.

Have an enjoying-wherever-you-are day

4 comments:

Melinda said...

Now you are the sketch goddess, Barbara! Love these so much.

Have a great time...I know you will. :)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thanks so much. I feel so energized here -- even though I have the cold of the century. There is such a charge everywhere. So much going on.

Wish you were here, but wouldn't want you to catch my cold.

xoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

belindadelpesco.com said...

Excellent sketches, especially with a leaky pen, cold meds and a stuffy nose. Yayy for art in airports and on planes. :)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Belinda,

You do such beautiful work on airplanes. I admit I only realized how much I'd want to draw at the airport, and a kind fellow in an airport store pointed me to the notebooks. Whew.

Love your work.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!