Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Finishing up the year

 
 Toast to the Poinsettias
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
I have no idea why I love Christmas -- I just do.
I have the corniest album of songs playing in
the kitchen, and a friend in Sweden sent me
some Christmas carols sung by a wonderful
choir in Swedish.  So when I want beautiful
music I listen to that.

My son and I have baked cookies, we have some
pine boughs on top of the kitchen cabinet, and
the tree is waiting for us to slow down on our
work, bring it in off the back porch, and put
our decorations on it.  We had so much fun
buying it the other night from Sonny --
a very funny guy who we've been getting
great trees from since the kids were little.

Maybe I do know.  It's the excitement -- everyone
hurrying around trying to get family and friends
presents, people dressing up and toasting the season,
cards and cookies and kindness -- covering the
city like the blanket of snow outside.   And Stephen
Colbert singing Silent Night tonight.

Here's a painting of a poinsettia -- wishing you
all the joy of the season.

Have a -getting-ready-for-the-holidays day!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

happy to see your cheerful pointsetta! Merry Christmas! I might be coming to TO on Dec 28, when I take Jane back... if you want me to bring your paintings i could, just let me know.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

That would be great. I would so love to see you. I love what you've been doing. You are an inspiring dynamo.

XOXOXO Barbara

Merry Christmas!

Kim Rempel said...

Oh Barbara, you described the season well! We were at Stuart MacLean Monday night at Hamilton Place - hilarious, warm singing... very festive too. This is a charming poinsettia - I think they would be pretty tough to paint and this one looks so cheery. xo and Merry Christmas to you!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

How fun! The painting is a much deeper red, but I can't seem to get it right. When I photograph it, it pops to a very warm red.

It is a very cheery time, and I love it. P.S. I have exactly two small gifts. Fortunately buying presents it a lot easier than any of my other jobs!

Merry Christmas to you! I will see you soon.

XOXOXO Barbara

cohen labelle said...

Hi Barbara,
Your glorious poinsettia just jumps off the page - I love it!!!!
As for your Christmas spirit, maybe it's some of your Victorian ancestry shining through - after all we're not that far removed from that amazing period in time with it's wonderful traditions and rituals.

Love,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thanks -- it is much richer in real life. Victorian ancestry eh? I think it's the Italian/Scot in me. We like a bit of music, and some decoration and great food.

I do love plum pudding though and that seems a bit Victorian, or Scottish, or Italian.

Love,

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!