Wednesday, August 31, 2011

(The first post on this topic written July 13, 2011) End of an era with the Don Valley Art Club

 You're joking
Graphite on Moleskine paper
5 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
Last night I headed out to my art group to the Tuesday
night life session.  I've been so busy for a few months
that I've rarely been able to attend.  Feeling my spirits
lift I parked the car at the Brickworks (where it was
free to park 6 months ago, and is now pay parking),
and started walking towards the building.  But luckily
I met two fellow members of my group who were heading out
with their equipment in hand.  They told me that the studio
room was locked and no one was there.

Right now the Don Valley Art Club, a  group of 170
artists that's been in existence more than 60 years, and
was promised a permanent home in the Don Valley,
has nowhere to meet.  The reason?  Evergreen, the
environmental group operating the Brickworks property,
and the city, have raised the rent on our studio space so high
that the group, many of whom live frugally, cannot
afford to stay in the space.

After a couple of years of negotiations we find ourselves
out on the street, and unable to offer the five days
a week, and weekends too that we have been enjoying.
A committee is working on getting the city to give us
a new space at a reasonable rate, but so far we've had no
luck.

I drove home feeling quite sad, then did this small sketch
in my Moleskine of a friend, it isn't perfect, but it was
something on a night when I'd hoped to paint with
friends.

Have a helping-art-groups-stay-vital-and-giving-them-space day.

4 comments:

Liza Hirst said...

This face looks somewhat familiar.

Pam Holnback said...

The top one looks a little Matissey!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Ummm. It should look familiar, but it is not even a minute percentage as beautiful as the model!

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Pam,

Thanks so much. Now that's a painter I'd be delighted to paint like.

As it is I was just reacting to a beautiful face.

XO 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!