Monday, August 25, 2014

Visiting Bear River and Annapolis Royal -- plus Give Out Love

 
 With Flora Doehler in her studio in Bear River
This has been a meaningful year for me.  My
mother's death last October seems to have
taught me so much.  One thing I realized is
that the whole of life is very short, and
altogether there is not a lot of time to give
out love.  This idea lodged in my brain and
my heart, and I know in some ways it has
always been part of my belief system.

We were in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia,
on the weekend.  This way of living -- being kind,
thoughtful and caring about other people -- seems
 integral to how Nova Scotians live.
Flora with one of her favorite paintings
not named yet.  It is 36 x 48 inches.
Our friends Flora Doehler and Larry Knox
have a place in Bear River, not far from
Annapolis Royal, and when we
are in Nova Scotia we make a point of
visiting them, and seeing the work they're
doing in their studio.  Kindness could be
the Doehler/Knox's middle name, and
Saturday we were treated to a studio tour,
a superb lunch, and delicious dinner.  Plus
they are funny, and fun and we had a
great time.
Larry Knox with some of his jewelry.
Larry and Flora share the studio on their
land in Bear River.
Artists are extremely lucky it seems to me,
because they work in response to strong
emotion.  What gives them pleasure goes
from the landscape, still life, or people
right onto the canvas, or paper, or sculpture
or film. Flora's canvasses and Larry's jewelry
express a love of life that is infectious.
Giving out love is a big part of what they
make.

Have a giving-out-love day.

12 comments:

Flora Doehler said...

Thank you Barbara and Steven for taking the time to come and visit us in Bear River!
I loved the laughter and the stories and the stroll down the deserted streets of Annapolis Royal at 10 pm (!) while catching up.
Those are fabulous photos too!
Your visit was far too short and we so look forward to next year's!
love, Flora and Larry xoxo

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks so much Flora,

That was wonderful. It meant a lot to me to see your studio and Larry's and to see how you are working.
Very exciting.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

suzanneberry said...

What a lovely post this is! I have goose bumps!! I dearly love to see artists working together in the same space. What amazing energy there is is such a place. Thank you so much for sharing your visit with us. These two people seem wonderful.
and welcome home!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Suzanne,

These two people are wonderful, I know you'd enjoy them. We are back home in Pugwash, which is our home away from home, and are heading to Toronto this week. Thank you for the welcome.

You know I love, love, love your work.


XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Unknown said...

lovely post Barbara, so nice that you caught up with your friends Flora and Larry. Their work looks gorgeous. Bear River is a sweet place.

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you Sally,

I do love seeing their work. I always learn things from Flora, who is incredibly experimental, and adventurous with colour, and materials.

Love your work,
Have a great holiday weekend,

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Nicki said...

What a wonderful post! You are all very lucky to have had the opportunity to share some time together. I am so glad you are enjoying your time away.

XO N.

Karen Bruson said...

They look very productive and happy.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

It was wonderful to see Flora and Larry and to see Flora's new paintings. Quite the treat. We are back now, and trying not to be too homesick for Nova Scotia. But it's always hard -- the re-entry into daily life. Thank goodness for our dog and cats, and friends like you.

Love your work,

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

They are productive and happy, and Flora's paintings just blow me away.
So do yours. I love your work.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Nothing like the Canadian Maritimes. I Love Nova Scotia.
Yes, coming up on the first anniversary of losing my mama, too.
It is a life altering event.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary,

It is indeed a life altering event. I miss my mother every day, and appreciate everything she taught me. She was certainly one of the most courageous people I've known.

Thank you so much.

XOXOXOXOXOXO 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!