Thursday, January 23, 2014

I'm on the Art Biz Blog Friday

 
 Sally the dog
Acrylic on canvas
5 x 7 inches 
Barbara Muir © 2014

A huge honour for me is being featured on Alyson
Stanfield's Art Biz Blog on Friday January 24th.
My piece 11 Ways to Work Through Your Grief
and Return to the Studio was written after both
my mother and my dog died this fall.  It was a
tough season, and for a while I could not even
think of painting, or would try, and just not be
able to keep going.

I am giving a talk on this same topic -- getting
back to creativity after a loss, or after stopping --
at the Don Valley Art Club on February 28.

I feel blessed that Alyson was supportive of this
topic, and encouraged me to write it for my guest
blog.  Thank you Alyson for all you have done for
me.  I don't think I'd know half of what I know
today about how to be an artist without you.

The painting tonight is not part of the post,
 it's of my dog Sally -- who is bona fide nuts.
One of our friends says that she is just a puppy.
But she is all that and much more.
Her energy level, plus her need for our carefully
thought out strategies to calm her down have
played a huge role in helping my whole family
recover from the sadness of two deaths in a month.
So despite her craziness, Sally the dog has brought
a lot of joy into the mix.  I loved her from the moment
I saw her at the Toronto Humane Society and couldn't
even hear the adoption fellow's explanation about how
she'd had 3 homes already, and how she had serious
separation anxiety.  When I saw her in the cage I sat
down on the floor and cried, and she started pulling
my purse into the cage. (I guess she knew there was
a small adoption charge.)

Sally 11 weeks ago at the Humane Society.
She was a year old, and had had three owners
before us.
Check out my piece in the Art Biz Blog, and please
comment there and here.  It will mean the world to
me.

Have a getting-back-into-the-studio day.

10 comments:

Laurel Daniel said...

I LOVED seeing your guest article on the ArtBiz blog today! It was so well-written and thoughtful. As I said, you are a kind and generous soul, and I am thankful for you. XOXOXO

VickiRossArt said...

Wonderful post, Barbara! I focus on some of the same issues at my site, www.Axully.com. Would love to share some of your thoughts there! xxoo Vicki

Unknown said...

that's such a sweet story about getting your dog, she is lucky to have such a loving owner. I will pop over to the art biz blog and leave a comment.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment. I am so grateful for you and your beautiful work. Shouldn't this be the year we meet! That will be awesome!!!

XOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Vicki,

Thanks so much. You can email me at the address in my blog profile, and let me know your thoughts. Beautiful work.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

I am so glad you like the story of our Sally. She is destined to be well loved with that name isn't she ;-) !!! Thanks for the lovely comment on Alyson's blog. You warmed my heart as you always do.

XOXOXOXO Barbara

Flora Doehler said...

Barbara, where to start?
First of all….I LOVE your portrait of Sally. It's gorgeous! And your story of her is amazing. She really found the right owner this time because you are so understanding of her 'crazy'.
And your post on Alyson's site is fabulous too and has obviously connected to a great many people. Congratulations and thank you for writing! xoxo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thank you so much. I'm so glad you like the portrait of Sally. We realized that we've had her 12 weeks today -- three whole months. I don't think when she scratched our front door, our back door, shut herself in the bathroom and scratched that door and the frame the first time we left her alone that we could have envisioned this week-aversary. But here we are, and we can leave her alone for a few hours at a time now with her "pack" the cats Timbah and Fiona -- in the basement with treats. Miracles happen! I'm glad you like the post on Alyson's site. I've really enjoyed people's reactions.

XOXOXO Barbara

Marilyn Flanegan said...

Hi Barbara,

Congratulations Art Biz guest blogger! What a thoughtful article - so honest, brave and giving. Your Sally is adorable and what a story - I laughed til I cried...it is they who choose us, yes?

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marilyn,

It was more like I chose her, and the moment the thought crossed my mind she knew, and started pawing my arm and pulling my purse into the cage. She is really wacky, but I am crazy about her already. She's going to be a really, really good dog.

Thanks for your comment on Alyson's blog. That meant the world to me.

XOXOXO 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!