Sunday, March 18, 2012

Missed anniversary plus four years and counting

 
 Woman with her cats
(from the archives)
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2008
Four years ago on February 17 I started this blog.
Tonight I'm including a painting from the archives, and I
don't even think this is the final photo of the
painting -- A woman and her cats. I was painting
this painting in September of that year, 2008.

I loved the richness and pattern on the silk
collar of the subject's blouse.  It was a beauty.

So what have I learned?  Sometimes in life we
think we're going nowhere.  That's what's so
wonderful about the blog world.  You can see
how far you've come, all the things you've learned
and in my case the great excitement that's come into
my life since I began this happy process.  My blog
was born during a hard time in my life, with relatives in
poor health, and my son going to Korea. The blog
and the people who read it became a source of
delight and strength for me.  When I painted this
portrait I had no idea what was going to happen in
the next months, when my blog would be discovered
by Howard Wolinsky, the Chicago journalist, and
subsequently by Oprah.

Steven was saying today, "your thoughts create
your future," one of the key philosophies of
Louise Hay.  And sometimes your future is
created by thoughts other people have that
are beyond your wildest dreams.

Have a thinking-yourself-into-a-joyous-future day.

8 comments:

Fay Terry said...

Barbara, I am really enjoying and benefiting from your blog. I started mine in 2011 and your post today was very encouraging. I firmly believe that our thoughts create our future and also "our words are the building blocks of our lives"(Julia Cameron) Thanks for sharing so many good things on your blog!

Melinda said...

Four years?! Wow. It is amazing, isn't it? You've done a wonderful job with your blog and I look forward to more of your painting and thoughts. You're unstoppable. I like that...

Warm hugs from the desert!

Karen Bruson said...

Our blogs are really a timeline of our progression in painting. It is interesting to go back to the beginning.

Unknown said...

that's a great lesson...i was talking to my students today about attitude...how important it is to take an honest look at work, recognize your improvements, not being overly critical. We learn from doing and that's how it goes.
It's been great to get to know such a warm soul from your blog, and then in real life.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Fay,

Thanks so much. I now believe that our thoughts create part of our future, and love the Julia Cameron quote. Good for you starting the blog. Great paintings.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thanks so much. One huge benefit of this process has been meeting wonderful artists like you. Not that there is anyone like you. Your work constantly inspires me and fills me with joy, and a feeling for Arizona.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Karen I have enjoyed your paintings so much since I first found them. You are just so good with light and colour. I often study your work to try and see what you're doing.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Sometimes it's like a zigzag, up and down, but I do believe there is a steady progress in understanding of who we are and who we want to be in painting and in life. I love some of the work I did years ago, and despair sometimes today. But I can see my gains too. I absolutely love your work. Thanks for being an inspiration and joyous voice in the world. I am delighted to know you.

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!