Monday, August 29, 2011

Doggone it. I love dogs

 
 Barney (work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 26 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

Yesterday as I drove around doing the errands with Steven
I mentioned that I love dogs.  We'd just driven by an
older man walking a proud little poodle, and watched a
young guy in his early 20s shuffling along with a big
lab.  In both cases the dogs looked so delighted to be
with their owners out for a walk.  "All dogs?," he asked.
Well in essence yes, but I don't like violent dogs, or dogs
that hurt my dog.  Other than that I do love dogs for the most part.

Why?  I have friends who are so frightened of dogs that I
have to put my old, docile Zoey in the basement when they visit.
I do understand, because I was a little afraid of dogs before
I owned Zoey.  But having a dog has taught me a lot.  Dogs
understand the joy of being outside (except in thunder storms),
and of movement. If a dog can't have a walk, it will invent a game
that gets it moving.  I love visiting my friend and watching her big
black lab place his drool covered ball in her lap, over and over
so that she'll throw it.  Plus for the most part dogs are happy,
and love being with people.  I have two cats too, and before
Zoey came into my life I guess I was 100% a cat person.

All pets involve the work of feeding and taking care of them,
but then, in some ways so does every relationship involve
elements of care -- every relationship that matters.
I promise to write about how much I love my cats sometime
soon. 

Have an enjoying the dogs in your world day

6 comments:

Melinda said...

What a precious-ess! I love the composition in this painting and the bold brushstrokes are perfect.

Ah. The world is a better place because dogs are in it and put up with us!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thanks so much. Yes it is a better world because dogs are in it, and not only put up with us, but love us. No one sings happy birthday like Zoey.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Flora Doehler said...

This is beautiful Barbara!

Liza Hirst said...

Barbara, this is a wonderful painting! I like everything about it and especially the way you've put in the slight shade on the right.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thank you. You are the star of painting your brains out. I'm quite inspired.

Love Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thanks so much. It is not a great photo as I took it on my easel with insufficient light, but I like it too, and I'm glad you do.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!