Sunday, October 28, 2012

More from the early stages

 
 Untitled work (work in progress)
Drawing and beginning of the underpainting 
(This section in black)
Acrylic and willow charcoal on gessoed canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012
This painting will be of a delicious breakfast we had in
Quebec City.  I think the people who deliver the
breakfasts are brave, and the staff do such a lovely
job of arranging things on the little cart tables they
serve on, that you want to invite them to stay,
talk about art and have a coffee.  In French?  Okay,
bien sur.  But of course they have work to do, and
I did too.  I had to take the photograph of this delicious
meal for this massive painting, and then eat the breakfast.
It was certainly a happy occasion. Imagine out the
window was the entire beautiful city of old Québec.

This is the top right quadrant of my big painting.  I am
starting to put on the underpainting very roughly.
It's a busy day today, so I don't have much more to
say except watch this spot.  I do hope you'll come out
to see this work, and a number of other paintings
on the theme at the opening at Studio Vogue at 216
Avenue Road in Toronto on December 1.  The opening
 runs from 5 - 7  so we can  go out for dinner, or party
afterwards too.  Can't wait to see you there.  This big still
life will be finished and there to greet you.
 Untitled work (work in progress)
Drawing and beginning of the underpainting 
(On these sections in black)
Acrylic and willow charcoal on gessoed canvas
72 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012
Steven holds the upper and lower right portions of
the painting so you can get a concept of scale.
Together the pieces are 6 feet high, not quite the height of the
kitchen cabinet they are resting against.
It's birthday season here, so the balloons will have
work to do until nearly the end of November.

Have a planning-for-future-artworks-day.

12 comments:

Sally Dean said...

So great to work big! Have a blast. Great start!

Melinda said...

Yay!!!

This is so wonderful to see. Thank you for sharing your process with us. It looks great already.

Are you able to sleep at night with these beauties calling your name?

Happy birthday to you and yours! I wish you a fabulous year ahead--full of good health, lots of fun, and all the art supplies you need.

Warm hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog! So happy :) I love your work...I just subscribed! I really love that you are showing the progression of your Big new piece! I can't wait till the next one!
Blessings

Karen Bruson said...

Love your point of view on this one. Wow, that's big!

cohen labelle said...

Hi Barbara
Love the painting! Wonderfully festive - paintings within paintings - eager for more!!!
Also Happy Hallowe'en and many happy returns - I know there are more birthdays in your family falling close together than I can count. How did you do it - you're an astrological phenomenon - I know, I know, you love to celebrate.

Love, Marcia

shirley fachilla said...

I just finished my biggest painting ever so it's great to see how someone else approaches big.
One thing I've discovered, for me, big is very different from medium or small.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

It is so great to work big. I think my mind feels freer in the big space.
Of course I love working in all sizes, but big is super.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thank you so much for your good wishes. I do sleep and dream about painting for sure. I did have a great birthday, and today went and bought paint in larger jars for the big one.

Yes -- the stage is set for a great year.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Debbie,

The images are coming.I'm really glad you like my blog and the Big one. I keep hearing Mike Dooley's voice from Tut.com which I play on CDs in my car. "Are you thinking BIG, I mean really BIG, and I am."

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much. Yes the point of view is fun on this one. It's the way the meal hits you when it comes in on the lovely hotel trolley table.

You take it all at once as beautiful.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Ah yes, the play within the play. I do like each canvas on its own, and then when the go together I get really excited about how it's going to look on the gallery wall.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Shirley,

Thanks so much for your comment.
No big is not the same as small. Both are great to work on in their own way. I am working on both small paintings and these giants at the moment.

I do enjoy the absolute size of a big painting, maybe because I am not very tall.

Take care,

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!