Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Drama and sadness – in nature’s paradise


Full Serve
watercolour on watercolour paper
9 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
I’ve said that we are living in paradise here
we are – seafood available at every turn –
rolling fields with horses and cows set against
 ocean views of breathtaking beauty.  People
 who are among the nicest in the world (I can’t restrict
that to one place because I feel lucky to know
wonderful people from all over the world.) But last 
night driving home from shopping in Amherst about 
45 kilometers away, we moved through a spectacular 
thunder storm – lightning arced for miles across the sky
in glorious and terrifying patterns. 

I was both terrified and mesmerized.  This morning
the news told of people stranded on the runway in
planes at the Halifax airport for 8 hours, because the
ground crews couldn’t go out to service the planes while
 the storm was happening.

The sadness is about having to go.  I love this place, our
 school house, the town, the province, the people with all
 my heart.  It is a wrench every year when we get ready to
 leave.  But instead I want to concentrate on how lucky we are
 to get to spend time here.  This morning I woke up to the
sound of rain on the tin roof.  That feels exactly like being in the
 middle of a rain cloud.  And though I might love a bright
beach type of day, rain suits the moment. 

My painting today is another watercolour of a woman gassing
 up her car in one of the most beautiful areas of the province. 
Despite the Full Serve designation on her pump, she is filling the
car herself.  I like the way she is leaning against the car as though
 it’s a trusted friend. 

Have an enjoying-the-drama-of-nature day.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara,

I love both gas station water colours, they're spectacular; and I can't wait for you to get back.

Love,
Josephine

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Josephine,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like them. It's easy to concentrate when there aren't a million things happening. I'm looking forward to seeing you. Have fun.

Love,

Barbara

Sybil said...

Do you just spend summers here ? I found you c/o a link on Flora's "Bear River Adventure".

I like your painting style. Quite wonderful.

Safe travels. Come back soon.

Anonymous said...

great watercolour Barbara! i love it.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sybil,

Yes we do love summer in Nova Scotia.

Thanks so much.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I'm delighted that you like it. Hope you're having a super time.

XO Barbara

Melinda said...

You have such a gift, Barbara! I am so glad that you've had time to get away and enjoy the light and beauty of your vacation home/area.

It is a bit sad to return to daily life, but you always fill it with such energy and color--like this lovely watercolor!

Best wishes and virtual hugs to you and yours!

Liza Hirst said...

I am pleased to hear that you have had a nice vacation and hope you have arrived safely back in Toronto. Your watercolours are lovely!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thank you so much. It is one of the supreme pleasures in my life to get to spend some time in the lush agricultural/fishing area of Nova Scotia. The views are magnificent, the air is clean -- we are pulled to live there, but in the final analysis so far we're city people, and the city is our home. Thanks for your kind message, which makes the return to daily life a bit easier.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

We have had a super vacation, which is nice because last year problems here at home cut it short. We were virtually cut off from the world, and I think that is a good thing once in a while.

Love your recent paintings.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Andressa,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like it.

Take care,

Barbara

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!