Monday, March 26, 2012

In the Happy World/in the Sad World -- paint

Tea at the AGO (Work in progress)
Watercolour on Arches watercolour paper
10 x 14 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012
The world is both happy and sad -- inside and outside
our personal worlds.  Spring has been halted for a day
here by freezing cold temperatures, sending us all
back into our winter coats.  That makes me happy.
The light today was over-the-top wonderful.  Let's
hope the apple trees on a farm where one of my
students works don't lose their two-months-early
blossoms to the frost -- or no apples.  Sad is the news,
and stories of disaster from around the world.  In either
case the artist's answer is to paint.  I prefer to paint
happy.  My philosophy being that there's plenty of
sorrow to go around. I don't mean sugary fairyland
happy -- although I'm all for that too.  I just mean the
warmer side of the life spectrum, the happier place to
be on a frosty night.

The painting tonight is a work in progress of tea
at the AGO.  The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto
 is our major gallery in the province (one of them,
 because the National Gallery in Ottawa is also impressive).
A friend has given us memberships for the past few
years. The result?  We head  to the member's lounge
the moment we go in the gallery, then happily spend
a couple of hours looking at art, fortified with a very
nice tea, and maybe some delicious egg salad, or
tuna fish sandwiches. You need to be well nourished
to spend the afternoon looking at great art.  Why? 
Fantastic art gets your spirits jumping, and gives
your brain and heart a work out. A sustaining
sandwich in advance is excellent prep. 

Have an-enjoying-painting-happy-or-sad day.

8 comments:

Liza Hirst said...

Barbara, I just LOVE your posts - painting, drawing and writing. I feel very much on the same wavelength with you and so often think, how well you describe things and that your attitude towards life is just the same as my own. Thank you!!!
Have a wonderful spring!

Kim Rempel said...

We got a family membership in Fall and I am anticipating Picasso! I will have to check out the member's lounge. I'd love to meet you at the gallery sometime if it wokred out!

Unknown said...

sweet watercolour Barbara! Love the bridge of close-up / far away, and the colours lovely and clear and fresh. great job.

Marilyn Flanegan said...

i love your posts, Barbara, and I'm grateful that you share your talents with us.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

After an insanely hot start, spring went into hiding a bit, with sharp cold that turned all the magnolias brown. But some of them have rallied now, and at the moment spring is coming to Toronto slowly and with soft green grace. I love your post and paintings too. We must talk soon.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Have to check out Picasso. Yes I'd love to meet you at the gallery too. We'd have to try not to joke around too much. But then art is so serious isn't it? I love your work. Love it, love it.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Not quite finished this one. Time has been at a premium lately. But I can't wait to settle down and finish everything I've started. Space to think is vital isn't it. Love your work and you know it.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Oh my Marilyn,

Every time I see your paintings I am dazzled and flabbergasted. You are sooo good. Thank you for your kind words.

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!