Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Irony of a busy art life and selling with meaning


 Winter tea at the art gallery
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
SOLD

I am super happy about the past week's show
with Gill Cameron, and now I'm getting ready
for Paris, and thinking about Florence.  There
are commissions to complete, and I'm still teaching
a demanding course -- so whew!

I went outside with my dog, Sally, today. This week I
got the report back on my knee -- torn meniscus,
torn ligaments -- yes I hurt it.  Which I've known
for 6 months. So I don't walk the dog, or walk
far right now, but what a treat to go in the backyard
with her, sit on a low ledge and weed a bit.

And the clouds were spectacular -- the perfect
clouds I like to paint, against a spectacular
blue sky.  How gorgeous.

The irony of being in many art shows, and
preparing and painting is that there is so
little time to blog -- and blogging here --
talking to you, is one of my main loves
in my art world.

Tonight I am showing you another painting
that sold in the show last weekend.  This
painting -- Winter tea at the art gallery, was
begun the fall when my mother died.
There is a sombre, soulful beauty to it, and
a different colour way that reminds me of
that time.  My mother was a great lover of
the beauty in nature, and was always distracted
on the phone by the magnificent views of nature
she saw out her windows facing the Ottawa River
and Gatineau hills across the river in Quebec.

It looks like I've never shown you the
completed version -- bonus!  I am delighted
that I know and like the person who bought
the painting, and it feels right that she should
have it.  Tea in the members lounge at the
Art Gallery of Ontario is one of my favorite
pleasures, especially on a cold, winter
afternoon.

Have a sharing-the-meaningful day.

10 comments:

Nicki said...

It is a stunning painting Barbara. Congratulations on its sale. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us- it is interesting to see how your mood affects your colours.

XOX Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

It is interesting. I was certainly in a deep thought
space when I started this. I do love the reflections
in the shiny black-topped tables at the AGO, and have
many more photos I could paint from. But guess what?
The AGO Member's lounge, now serves tea in bright coloured
teapots.

Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Kim Rempel said...

Oh Barbara, it's really beautiful. Congratulations on the sale! It does have a reflective quality - quiet and lovely. The rich black is the prefect compliment.

cohen labelle said...

Ouch, my heart goes out to your knee! I hope repair and relief are imminent.
But then as you point out on a high note, two gorgeous paintings have just sold!!! And Paris is on the horizon and then Florence.
All good stuff!
Congratulations!!!
xo, Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thank you so much! You have probably sat with me at one of those tables
having a coffee before we headed out to peruse the gallery. Yes
for me it's a very quiet mood.

Love, love your work and congratulations yourself!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Something's happening at the end of July regarding my knee!
Someone who gets knees is going to look at it, whether relief
comes after that -- who knows. But as you say, even with a
hurt knee, the world is my Oyster. I am staying in Paris
right near the Louvre. Super excited. Fantastique.
Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

This is such a beautiful painting Barbara, the poignancy you felt at the time certainly comes through.
I have just been catching up on your blog. What a great time you had in New York and it sounds like you are soon to have a great time in Paris too. How exciting to be showing your wonderful art in two of the world's great cities!
So sorry to hear about your knee, I hope it heals soon for you. You are doing very well in the face of the pain and inconvenience you must be experiencing!
As always, a visit to your blog is a very uplifting experience!
Have a great time in Paris!!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

Thank you so much. I did have a great time in New York, and know
I will love Paris and the show there. I do hope my knee
heals too. I want to walk and walk and walk.

Take care Wendy and thank you.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Unknown said...

This is one of my favourite paintings of yours, just sensational. The story that goes with it's creation is sad and lovely at the same time. Wishing you healing soon for your knee pain, and a lovely time in Paris!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thank you so much. We got back a day ago, and I am still
trying to get my sea legs back. I'm glad you like my painting.
It was a deeply soulful time. Thanks for the good wishes.
I think by the end of the summer I'll have some answers. :-)

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!