Saturday, April 14, 2012

All over the world, the song of art and Happy Birthday to Jesca

 Jesca
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012
This has been a unique and wonderful day.  This
morning I called my friend the artist Gill Cameron,
because she'd written to ask me if I'd send her a Jpeg
of my painting of Jesca.  Jesca lives in at Peace Matunda
an orphanage/school in Tanzania, in Africa, and she is
turning 12 next week.  Gill's roommate when she worked at Peace
 Matunda last year, lives in Germany, and is going to be
 in Tanzania for Jesca's birthday.  So I've just sent off a Jpeg of
the latest version of the painting, even though I think
it needs a tiny bit more work.  I relayed it to Gill, who
will send it along to Kathrin in Germany, and she will
print a copy and give it to Jesca for her birthday.  That
makes me happy and proud to be part of this little girl's
birthday.

Then this afternoon my friend, Melinda Esparza,
a wonderful artist in Tucson, Arizona painted on Ustream
and I watched her paint live for about an hour.  This was
wildly exciting for me, because I love her work so much.
She was so great in front of the camera, painting away,
showing us her various palette knife tools, discussing
technique, colour and light, then leaning smiling into the camera
to answer our comments.  I was entranced.  As a person who
loves to marvel at the glorious elements in life, this
was pure delight.  It was funny too having her talk, and
then typing back remarks. 

As Steven my husband says when people are finished eating
a terrific meal he's cooked, with the candles flickering and
everyone complimenting him, "I'm afraid that's all
she wrote folks."  And that's the truth for now.

Have a marvelling-at-the-world day.

12 comments:

cohen labelle said...

Thank you Barbara for reminding me about Melinda on Ustream - although I only managed to catch the last part of it, she was sensational!!!
And your portrait of darling Jesca is extremely lovely!
And you are also!

Love, Marcia

Unknown said...

this is just an amazing painting Barbara. You have done such a great job of the light and it sings with the prospect of hope and joyfulness.

Melinda said...

This is a really wonderful painting, Barbara! It is a beautiful work, and I know that you loved painting it.

Thank you for the mention. I'd swear I was here last night commenting, but may have been too addle brained to have clicked the right button.

I'm wishing you every success with your work!

Virtual hugs...

Nicki said...

I'm sure Jesca will be overwhelmed to see the painted image of herself. Very cool.

I love Melinda's work too. I'm sure it was a thrill to see her in action.

Nicki XO

Gwen Bell said...

Your colorful style really brings this portrait to life. Great job!

Karen Bruson said...

Nice rich color and values.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Wasn't Melinda awesome. It's been thick and fast around here. Exam week, tons of marking and painting, and family stuff. I am behind on the blog.

Love, (upper case)

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

I am so happy to know that Jesca's high school has been sponsored. I'm delighted that you like the portrait.
I am going to call you next week.

You are great!

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

It's been a crazy week, but I held onto the image of you painting, and it carried me through like the sail on a sailboat. Every time I let me mind go it drifts back to the image of you making those beautiful paintings. Thank you so much.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

I hope she likes it, but she'll be much bigger and more grown up now. She's at an age when she won't like to think of herself as a 'baby.' And at 12 that could be just six months ago. Funny.

Thanks. Yes Melinda was outstanding.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

Thanks so much. I don't have to tell you that I love your work, but you know I do.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much. I have just been so impressed with your paintings, I always sit back and oooh and aah.

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!