Friday, January 30, 2015

More on the chemistry of art


 Sean
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2007
SOLD
It's been a busy day, so I am showing you
an older piece. Last week at my art group,
there was a great discussion about alla prima
(working from first strokes).  Carol Marine,
whose work I admire greatly, is a wonderfully
decisive painter.  Most of the time I am not
so clear on exactly what I want to happen.  Light
changes, moods change -- the painting
changes.

This painting -- the portrait of Sean --
a super boy I painted in 2007, stands
out in my mind forever as a direct
experience, clear, fluid, easy, and
joyous in its creation.  I've debated
this before on the blog -- wondered why
this happens.  But when it does I am
so grateful.  One of my collectors said,
"your work gets looser looking the longer
you work on it, doesn't it?"  And frequently
that's what happens, but when I painted Sean
it was as if I'd known him forever. 

He was the last in a three part portrait of
his family.  His two sisters Madeline and
Elizabeth were also a joy to paint -- and
perhaps learning their features as I painted
them in the summer and fall of 2006
prepared me for the ease I had with Sean
the next spring. 

Sean, Madeline and Elizabeth
36" x 6'
acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2006 - 7
SOLD

Have a creating-with-ease day.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

that is a BEAUTIFUL triple portrait. I dont think I've seen that one before.
It's true a painter who's been painting for a long time often paints looser, I think it's got to do with confidance.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

I'm always happy when I rediscover this one. It was
a thrill to paint. The parents were art collectors. So fun!

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!