Monday, November 12, 2012

Exciting visitors -- Blog friends in the studio

 Liza Hirst and me (Barbara Muir) posing in the studio.

We were so lucky last week to have exciting
visitors from London, England.  My friend Liza Hirst,
who I  met via our blogs was in Toronto and came for a visit.
We have been friends on the blog since 2008.
My first mention of Liza and her superb
paintings was in September of that year.  Over the
years our friendship has grown, and I've been
so happy to watch her paintings capture the mood and
essence of places and people wherever she's living.

She and her husband, Hubert, who we also met, have
been having an adventure.  First they sold their house
in France and traveled, going from Florence, to
Barcelona, and now opening up a store in London,
England Tusch and Egon.  All this time they've rented a
house in France as a family retreat, and a space to house
the many wonderful things (and paintings) they owned in
their spacious country house in France before they sold it.

When Liza arrived, we couldn't stop smiling and hugging
one another.  It was so lovely to finally meet a friend I'd
 known, and liked so much, but never seen.  Steven and
I felt thrilled to meet Liza, Hubert and their son Cosmo.

People who don't blog often wonder if the friendships
you form on the blog are real.  In my experience each
blog friend I've met is wonderful, and the
blog experience has definitely deepened our connection.
And Liza would agree, she regularly paints in London with
a woman she met through the blog.

Three cheers for blogging, and a toast to you my blog
friends.

Have a meeting with good friends day.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

oh Barbara! well that is so wonderful! It is such a thrill isn't it to get to meet the people who we connect to on our blogs, and all the way from England a special treat, too. You are right blog friends definatley are real and are often the best kind, because we're kindred spirits. Hooray for blog friends!

William R. Moore said...

Friends, your not sisters? :0)

Liza Hirst said...

I agree, it was wonderful and a real treat to visit you and your family in your sweet, colourful house and to see your beautiful paintings in the flesh! Thank you so much again for a very enjoyable evening, Barbara!
William, we aren't sisters but the same thought crossed our minds!

Melinda said...

Cheers! I'm delighted that you and Liza were able to have a good visit. What a thrill!

Yes, blogging has had a profound influence on us all, especially your kind friendship.

Huzzah, too, for blogger friends!!
xo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

It is such a thrill to meet our blog friends. I felt the same way when I met you. It's true we are kindred spirits -- partially because we are passionate about painting and making art.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi William,

We are both blonde. We are sisters in art. I would like to be as adventurous as this art sister. She and her husband have traveled all over the world in the past couple of years and she has painted gorgeous paintings of her travels.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

It was so wonderful to meet you. The only sad part of our meeting was knowing that it might be a while before we get to talk again. Thank you for making us part of your visit.
Keep painting.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

It's true blogging has transformed the experience of making art. It has been such a pleasure getting to see your paintings and enjoy your friendship. What a treat. Yes -- Hurray for blogging and this kind community.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Nicki said...

I love this story! How wonderful that you were able to finally meet. Blogging can be a great thing and the friendships found this way are as real as any found the traditional way! Wonderful!

Hugs,
Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

I certainly feel my friendship with you is as real as any I've made any other way. I am thinking of you. Hope all is well and that you are painting like crazy.

XO Barbara

Linny D. Vine said...

This is a fabulous photo of JOY!!!(And right back at you, Barbara!)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

If you ever leave Linnyland, come on by. I would love to meet you. I know I would feel overjoyed. Yes this was joy -- an amazing experience meeting my long time friend in real life. Just super.

XO Barbara

Kim Rempel said...

I'm so behind in blogging and what a treat to read such a great post. So cool that you and Liza got to meet up and spend time together! And you do look related ; )

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!