Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Happy Canada Day and 10 reasons art makes you happy

 
 Inspiration
Acrylic on birch panel
4 x 6 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
This is another one of
the people who appeared 
in a guided meditation I did
 a couple of weeks ago.  This is
Louise Hay, who never met me, but
played a huge part in teaching me
how to be a happy person today.

Happy Canada Day right off the top.  The
day is wavering between hot, hot sun and rain,
which is making people crave cottage life, and
flowers say Yes! Yes! Yes
 Me and Steven on the beach we love in Nova Scotia.
We are not there now -- but here in Toronto.  Not
sure when we're going, but can't wait!
10 Reasons art makes you happy!
1. You get to really see.  It is apparently true
that artists see more and see differently than
other people.  We are blessed with really seeing
what is out there.

2.  You get to make what no one has seen until
you make it.  Even artists who like to refer to
the real world and try to reproduce it just as it
is are always making something new.  What a treat!

3. You are entranced by the world.  Colour is
magical, simply drawing in a notebook is a
passion -- you live a blessed life.

4. You are always learning.  No one sane says to
a four year old that that superb painting he just
created isn't art. And that is true of every age.
Recently Dorothy Karkovsky, a 90 year old woman, 
 displayed fantastic art in New York.  Art is for life.

5. You become part of a world filled with
new ideas, excitement, experimentation and
brave expression. You make friends and spend
time with other artists who care as much about
colour and light as you do.

6.  You make people happy with your work.
As a portrait artist, I frequently paint either
people who want a portrait to record a moment
in their lives, or the people who people love.
When the painting is finished, collectors
usually react by spontaneously hugging me
with joy -- awesome feeling.

7.  You make yourself happy with what you
make.  It's a wonderful feeling to sit in your
studio and see the work you've created.  Each
painting brings back a memory and challenges
you -- wondering what you will try next.

8. You get to travel to superb places in the world
where you will either take photos for future
paintings, paint or draw on the spot to record the
moment, or exhibit your work and jet off to
the opening!  So much fun!

9.  You get to sell your work to people who
really appreciate what you do.  You are
living the dream -- doing what you love to
do and getting paid for it!

10.  You go to bed each night excited about
the next day and the work you are currently
doing.  You cannot get your work out of
your mind.  In your sleep you dream
about new paintings and how you'll handle
them.

Author's note: These are the happy aspects
of art.  I know that the opposite experiences
happen too, but this list is about happy.  ;-)

Have a thinking-about-what-makes-you-happy day.

8 comments:

Wendy Barrett said...

Barbara, I recognized Louise Hay immediately! Fantastic portrait of her! I loved all your reasons for being grateful for being an artist and resonate with them all!

I too got a lot out of Louise' book when I read it a couple of decades ago.

David Lobenberg said...

A handsome couple index and a beautiful Canadian beach and last but not least, a very cool acrylic portrait! Hey there , , , I'm so lonely. Can you try leaving a comment on my blog again? Happy Canada Day!

Linny D. Vine said...

HaPpY post, Barbara, and wonderful wee painting - WOW!!

Unknown said...

thanks for the wonderful reminders about what is so great about being an artist. YOu are right, it is fun! super portrait! I dont know Louise Hay, But I love the way you painted her.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

I'm so glad you recognized her. She is still doing amazing work, and is one of my heroes. My brother suggested that Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra and Mike Dooley are like our modern day saints. I don't know that Louise would like that, but this little painting on wood is a lot like an icon.

Love your drawings and photographs.

XOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi David,

What happy news that my comment came through. Thanks for yours. I was feeling lonely too. Glad you like the portrait. You are one of my true heroes in the portrait (and landscape, and cityscape and still life) realm.

Ciao,

Barbara,
Your fan (and you need fans here these days -- very hot) in the T.dot.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like my wee portrait. I notice you are going very big, and I love them.

XOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Louise Hay has some pretty wonderful meditations on YouTube. I think you'd enjoy them. You don't have to watch, just listen She really knows how to make you feel relaxed, happy, wonderful.

She is a buoyant spirit like you.
I love your work! So gorgeous.

XOXOXOXOXO 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!