Monday, March 11, 2013

Stand Back for the Pie -- and the taste of summer condensed

Stand Back for the Pie
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
I started this painting at the end of January.  We were deep
in winter, and I wanted the feeling of summer to be in
my studio.  It has been a great project, but I think I am
finished.  I may see one or two more things I want to
adjust tomorrow -- but I am happy looking at it.  It says
me, and my life.

This is what a summer table in my kitchen could look
like -- glutted with flowers, reeling with the pure
joy of all the bounty the summer offers.  And then
sour cherries are ready, and Steven, my sweet husband
bakes a pie.  This is usually an annual event, but last
summer our tree did not produce, and we were
desperate.  If you know someone in the Toronto
area who grows sour cherry trees, and expects to have
too many please let me know.

Cherry pie is a taste I love, that will always make me think
of my mother who baked one for me from the cherries
in our backyard at a different house when Christopher
was born, and of Steven -- our pie man.

When the first pie (he usually bakes several) is set
on the table, everything else moves back and lets
the pie take a bow (something the peonies find almost
impossible to do) -- but nothing beats Steven's cherry pie.

Have a-loving-the-thought-of-the-taste-of-summer day.

10 comments:

eldon w. said...

Cherry pie is my favorite. When I was a kid they had asked me at the Boys Ranch what sort of cake I'd like, I said Cherry Pie. They made enough cherry pie to feed 50 boys and staff. Mmmmmmm, never will I forget that!

Unknown said...

Oh Barbara, I LOVE this one. You are right it is totally you and your kitchen and your life. Happy!

cohen labelle said...

Barbara, you are a person for all seasons - with a recurring theme - happiness. This is beautiful.

love, Marcia

Mary Lou van Schaik said...

Fine painting and writing, Barbara! My mouth is actually watering as I take in the view of that cherry pie! Love, Mary Lou

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

Wow! Cherry pie for 50 boys and the staff -- that would be a big painting.
I feel the same way -- that is my favorite cake, and my favorite cherry
pie is Steven's because he knows it has to be made with freshly picked sour cherries to get the perfect sweet/not too sweet taste. Perfection.
Take care. I love your work.

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thank you. It is certainly how I like to live, in the happy zone.
Thanks for being there with me.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thank you. You are right. I'm not heading for the summer sun, but I do love the flowers and fruit in the summer. I have adjusted to winter this year, and you're right I've enjoyed it. Maybe that's because I get to see your art.

Love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary Lou,

I wish we had some one hand. Today I made Nanny Muir's Best Chocolate chip cookies because Sam hurt himself at work. My mother's answer to any sort of difficulty was food. Fresh baked bread every day after school. How could you not love her?

Love,

Barbara

Kim Rempel said...

That's lovely. Cherry pie, beautiful dishes, lush scented flowers.... Beauty surrounds us. A gorgeous slice of your life Barbara : )

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thank you so much. I'm posting it again today for Pi Day because it wasn't quite finished and is now.

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!