Thursday, November 29, 2012

The big one is done -- come and see it

 
 Breakfast in the hotel 
 (an ode on 4 canvasses)
In total 6 feet x 8 feet -- this photo the top half 8 feet x 3 feet
Acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2012

Come on out to the Studio Vogue Gallery to see the big
one in the group show aptly called Exuberance.  It's
a great show and I'll be there to meet you if you come
between 5 and 7 on Saturday.  I'll put the invite in here,
but first here are some photos I took today of the upper
and lower part of the painting.
Here's the lower half. 
 Breakfast in the hotel 
 (an ode on 4 canvasses)
In total 6 feet x 8 feet -- this photo the lower half 8 feet x 3 feet
(I could not get the whole thing on my camera properly.)
Acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2012


I could not photograph them as well as I would have liked
because I couldn't get far enough away in my kitchen.
But you get the idea. Quite the challenge.

Someone asked today -- why not just use a big canvas?
My Reasons:
Practical
  I can carry the 36 x 48" components that make up this
big painting.
Environmental
I can transport the pieces in a small car using less gas that
takes up hardly any parking space.
Realistic
I work in a small studio in my own home.
Infinite (my favorite)

Think of it!  This painting is 8 feet x 6 feet fully
assembled.  But what's to say it couldn't go higher
and wider using the very same plan.  That's what
Hockney, my inspiration for these paintings, has done
Check out his Grand Canyon on 60 canvasses.

Come out to the show -- here's the invitation:

Have a making-some-big-art day.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Barbara,
I wont be in Toronto for the opening reception, but as I'll be in Toronto Fri evening and SAt morning i will try to stop by the gallery earlier in the day before i leave Toronto to see the show. fingers crossed. You should be very proud of your big project. It's a gorgeous painting...and it looks fully EXHUBERANT!!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Barbara, I wish I could come see your work in person. As good as the photos make it look, I know it would knock my eyes out to stand in front of it. You must feel as if you have climbed Mt. Everest or something! Beautifully executed and documented for those of us too far away to see.

Mary Lou van Schaik said...

It's gorgeous! Rich colours, intriguing angles, it truly reflects the theme of the show! Congratulations, Barbara. Love -- Mary Lou

Laurel Daniel said...

OH WOW!!! This is triumphant, Barbara! It's been so fun watching this come together and I'd love to be at the opening to see it in it's full glory. Thank you for sharing the journey and best of luck at the show!!! Bravo, dear friend!!!

Pam Holnback said...

This is amazing!! I am there vicariously with you!!

belindadelpesco.com said...

This painting is as spectacular as it is HUGE! Bravo, bravo (with confetti) my friend! What a wonderful scene you've created. I could pull a chair up and eat breakfast right this second. Terrific!

Linny D. Vine said...

Oh, Barbara...it will be a HUGE success - it is already!! Wonderful!!

Flora Doehler said...

Barbara….gorgeous!! I hope one of the posh downtown hotels will buy it and hang it. It's lovely.
I'll be thinking of you at your opening tomorrow. Have fun!
Flora xo

Melinda said...

Stunning!!

Congratulations, Barbara, on the completion of this beauty. It is a huge achievement.

I wish I could be there for your opening, but I know you'll have many great people there to admire your work. I'll be there in spirit!

Gorgeous painting. Just wow!

xo

Sheila Vaughan said...

It looks great Barbara, those blues are singing even in digital. It must pack quite a punch in real life! Congrats on finishing it just in time and so good to know our David was your inspiration. I hope the show goes well for you tomorrow.

Karen Bruson said...

Wow! Congrats. That's a big one. Have fun at the reception.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I sure wish I could see you. Give me a call if you have the chance. Otherwise I'll call you next week. I have an appointment tomorrow morning, and won't be at the gallery until it opens.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks so much.It is strange what size can do. It's demanding. When I heard Hockney being interviewed about his work, the interviewer kept trying to avoid the subject of scale, and Hockney said it matters. He explained that it affects how you paint. In my case I'd have to say joyfully.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary Lou,

Thanks so much. It is a cheerful show. I loved listening to someone asking for the meaning of the word exuberance the other day. Each person he asked would throw their hands in the air and whoop. That seems to be the feeling.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Well I think you should head on up, but buy a down coat, boots, gloves and a hat on the way. It's cold in these parts. Thank you so much for your encouragement. You rock. Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Pam,

That would be wonderful. Thank you so much. I would love to meet you. I mean we've shown together, so eh? Take care. Love your work.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Belinda,

I wish you would pull a chair up and have breakfast with us. Thank you so much. I hope this is the year we get to meet.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

I hope it will. I have much smaller pieces in the show too, and they'll be like Jack Russells at Frisbee games, jumping up and down trying to get some attention.

You're getting Christmas cards? I think I'm still stuck in August.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thank you -- good thought. I'll try visualizing that. I wish you could be there. Oh my that would be fun!

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sheila,

I listened to two great radio interviews with your David, and he made me laugh. I loved his voice, his lack of pretension, and his great descriptions of working on a large scale.

Love your work.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thank you. It is a big one, and I will have fun. It would be so good to meet you. I believe you're at your own opening. Enjoy yourself too.

XO Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Hi Barbara,
I love, love love this painting! The colours, the brushwork, the composition. You did such a good job and truly captured the delight of a hotel breakfast served in the room. How I wish I could attend the opening and see it hanging on the wall! I am pleased that at least I had the chance to see it in progress which was already great.
Have a wonderful evening! Will be there applauding in spirit!
XO Liza

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thank you -- I'm so glad you like it, and get the joy I felt painting it. I wish you could see it too. Now that would be fun, to have you here again. Any time come back to Toronto to see your family, and let's get together again!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

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!