Friday, January 3, 2014

Memories of Florence

More fruit singing in the footed bowl
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
SOLD ♥  
As Steven and I hurried around on New Year's Eve
preparing for our party, I spotted these clementines
with leaves, and was sent reeling back to Florence, Italy
and my time there during the Florence Biennale.  There
was hardly an aspect of the city that I didn't love --
I loved it all.  The markets were especially delightful,
even the little supermarkets near our apartment
were brimming with things we didn't see at home.
The anemones were huge compared to their counterparts
in Toronto with blooms the size of saucers.

One of the things that struck me was how often the
fruit was sold with leaves still attached.  Especially
oranges, clementines and mandarins.  So the other
day I bought a few clementines with leaves thinking
I'd like to paint them adding life to other fruit.  The
result was two paintings so far, and an intense
trip back through my delicious memories of
Florence.

I want to do some paintings, perhaps this year,
based on images I photographed there, so count
this small painting as a second song to the beauty
of Florence.

Wishing you a glorious first weekend in the New Year.

2 comments:

cohen labelle said...

A beautiful memory translates into a beautiful painting, dear Barbara - a singing brush indeed!
Happy 2014 and I wish you many more memorable trips to Firenze.

Love,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

I'm a bit like a kid in a candy shop. (Of course our house is like a candy shop right now.) But it feels amazing to be painting right now. Like walking when the cast comes off. Thank you for your sweet comment. My brush sings for you! Yes meet in Firenze (or Toronto ;-)

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!