Thursday, February 28, 2013

Five years of blogging and Happy Birthday to My Dad

At the wedding
black marker on Arches watercolour paper
10 1/4 x 14 1/8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
I started this blog five years ago on February 18 -- five years
and ten days ago.  I can hardly believe it's been that long,
because for me those years have sped by and been so full
of wonder -- it has seemed like no time at all.  I wish my
Dad were here to witness the marvels of the past five years,
innovations and developments in the world, and in our
family that would astound him, and make him proud too.

Today is my father's birthday, but he is not in the world alas.
I think of him every year on this day, and as I said to a friend
every day, probably many times in a day.  He is definitely
alive in my heart and vivid in memory.

In this portrait of him he's at a wedding -- ours, Steven and mine,
and here he is dressed in his tux outside the church, surveying
the crowd, and perhaps worrying about what had to happen next,
how to tell people the directions to the reception.  He was an
elegant man, and it made me feel good to find a picture today
of him in a tux, because he was the kind of man who was
always well dressed.

So Dad -- I've been writing this blog for just over five years,
carrying on your roots in writing, and your love of painting.
And to my kind readers, and artist and collector friends,
a huge thank you for this tremendous time.  Five years -- that
deserves a cake, a party, champagne, celebrations!

Have a celebrating-the-joys-of-celebrating day!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post and portrait of your Dad. Wishing you many more years of blogging and creative growth.
Stay inspired!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Michelle,

Thanks so much. I wish you many more year of blogging and creative excitement too. The blog world is wonderful.

XO Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

Beutiful drawing, beautiful words! You did it again - you are awesome.
Have a lovely weekend! Yours, Liza

Mary Lou van Schaik said...

Congratulations, Barbara! Five years - WOW! A testament to your talent. And thanks for the beautiful memory of your Dad. xo Mary Lou

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza, Thank you so much. You are awesome my friend. I will have a lovely weekend.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary Lou,

Thank you so much. It has been such a
delightful adventure. That was a great day, and I'm happy you were part of it.

XO Barbara

Unknown said...

My loved ones memories seem to grow in my heart each year, not fade as I would have expected. I'm grateful for that...perhaps that is because they are made of love.
Lovely tribute to your dad on his birthday; and yes blogging is wonderful, because that's how i met you!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Isn't that a comforting thing to know, that love grows, and the good memories stay. Blogging is wonderful because that's how I met you, and I was just talking to someone about how wonderful it was when I met you today. We are on a wavelength. Happy Painting. I love your work,

XO Barbara

cohen labelle said...

Barbara you always remember. no one remembers the way you do - v special.
A very tender and loving portrait of your father in words and ink.

love, Marcia

Sheila Vaughan said...

I sense you have captured his personality well. A very nice drawing Barbara!

Kim Rempel said...

Well Happy Five Years Barbara! I've really enjoyed your blog. You have such a nice way of writing about your life, your art makes me smile, and your posts are like slices if sunshine. Here's to the next 5!

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!