Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The pleasure of your company

When I don't blog I miss you -- but you must know
that.  I haven't been feeling top notch for the past
few days, and there's a lot of catching up to do at
this point in the semester.  So I've been taking it
easy aside from marking and a bit of teaching.
Nap time 
watercolour on watercolour paper
and black marker
16 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
(I'll take new photos of these
tomorrow in daylight.)

Basket nap
watercolour on watercolour paper
and black marker
16 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
It's a very rainy day today.  Quite beautiful on the ride
to school. All the colours deepened and brightened by
the grey, mauve background of the sky.  I am a major
fan of rain, but at this time of year it does add to the day's
darkness -- so my animal family take the sensible strategy
of sleeping long and hard.  I thought I'd do some very quick
colour sketches of them while they slept.  But Timbah the
black cat became too intrigued by all this action on the
kitchen table, and prodded me to get on with it, and paint
him so he could have his dinner. By the way animals are great
for the short pose because they change positions every few minutes.
Holding the pose
watercolour on watercolour paper
and black marker
16 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
As soon as my supper's done, I think I'll take Zoey and Fiona's
advice and have a nap myself.  Meanwhile the rain comes down in
sheets.  A lovely sound.

Have an-enjoying-all-kinds-of-weather day.

12 comments:

Linda Popple said...

Love your watercolor sketches! And, I also love the rain! Here in Texas it just doesn't come very often so it is really appreciated when it happens. :-)

Hope you feel better soon!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much. Well if you love rain you should be here, it's coming down in buckets.

Snow tomorrow though, so rain is a lot easier to manage than snow.

Love your work.

XO Barbara

laura said...

This is your idea of taking it easy! ;-) Good point about the ever-changing poses of the animals; maybe that's why I never painted or drew mine much, but it's a worthwhile challenge. Thank you, as always, for the inspiration!
Rainy almost all day here-we had a break of blue skies for about an hour this afternoon: a beautiful respite from a generally wet November. I too like the rain, and grayness, but enough's enough, eh?

Sheila Vaughan said...

These "simple" water colour pieces say so much in a few words Barbara. They are delightful.

Karen Bruson said...

Love nap time. Great spots.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

The day started out with driving through snow! Here we go I thought, but emerged a few hours later to bright sunlight, and now the snow's gone. Yes grey can get to be too much. The sun felt like a gift. You know I love your work and you inspire me big time.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sheila,

Thanks so much. I'm not up for much more at the moment -- so I'm delighted that you like them.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

She's actually a mostly black dog, but I like the spots too. Love your figure in the sunlight.

XO Barbara

Marilyn Flanegan said...

I'm amazed at how you do it all, but happy that you do! Your students are so lucky.
The watercolor sketches are wonderful, Barbara.
Being a new kitty guardian - I've always had dogs - I, too, have become a big fan of the afternoon nap.

: )

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marilyn,

Cats are brilliant. They take care of themselves well given half a chance. I do love mine, and I'm glad you are a guardian of a cat.

XO Barbara

Linny D. Vine said...

You do simplicity beautifully, Barbara!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

Thanks so much. I appreciate your sweet comment.

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!