Friday, January 15, 2016

Like new -- seeing old work with new vision

The Yellow Field
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2016
SOLD ♥ 
True -- painting work is all about vision,
and I know some of that isn't related to
actual "vision" as in sight.

I am blessed with an eye surgeon brother-in-law
who tested my vision just before he moved
to California a year ago.   I owe part of my
visual ability to him, and to Joe at Optic Zone
who picks out my glasses for me.

But I'm also talking about the other kind of vision
-- clarity, understanding -- problem solving,
vision.

That kind of vision came to me like a blast
of glorious sunlight on a dark day just
before I was in the Idea arts and crafts show
at the Super Wonder Gallery before Christmas.

And it was like something I might have
looked to the heavens for all of my artistic
life.  Suddenly the voice in my head (fueled
only by coffee) was saying "Aha!  I know what
the problem is with that.  It's clear!"

And I revised paintings not finished at
the last go until I did like them.  What a delightful
discovery!  Sometimes paintings just need to
sit and wait their turn patiently for the creator
(me and you) to know how to finish the work.

Here's one of them -- I can link you to the start
and you'll see what changed.  I know part of
what held me back was too much of the first
kind of "vision" -- the anchor to reality.
That can be a hindrance in creating art.  What
matters is the vision of new Aha possibilities.
I think I am finally finished this one.

Have an-enjoying-your-visions day. 

6 comments:

Verna Vogel said...

I believe this is my favourite painting of your that I've ever seen online. Vision, indeed!

xoxoxox
:)
V

Barbara Muir said...

Wow Verna,

That makes me happy. Well it was about 3 years in the hatching. I can't find
the photos of all the stages, because I think it just sat unresolved on the shelf
in my studio where I saw it every day and just felt awful. Now it's very happy,
and grateful. Much better.

Happy New Year to you!

(By the way I have several attempts at bad snowflakes lying around, and every single day I think about making some. My first attempts were beyond awkward so I'm
devoting myself to painting. :-)

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

I love this Barbara! It is very dynamic and gives the eye a lot to feast upon! As well as the yellow field I particularly love how you've done the water and the pine tree. I love too, how your "aha" moment was fuelled by coffee!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

Thank you. About the coffee, I just meant it wasn't a wonder
drug that set me up for understanding. I do drink coffee
every day, and many days with no big breakthroughs. I'm
glad you like it. It is based on a Prince Edward Island
landscape, but it went on a runaway ride from there!

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

Ah, yes, I see now what you mean re: the coffee.
Wouldn't it be great if we knew how to get those "aha" moments to come through on call? They are so profound and exciting when they do arrive. I love what this one did for your painting Barbara! So nice to have it finished too after having it unresolved for so long.
How beautiful Prince Edward Island must be.
XOXOXO

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

Yes it would be great if that could happen. Maybe if we just sit and meditate and say "Hey -- Aha moments -- I am ready!" they'd come flying in. Prince Edward Island, and the Maritimes I've been too are spectacular. We still haven't been to Newfoundland, but we will get there one day, and I know it will be superb. Still reading your
wonderful book! I've slowed down because I dread finishing it!

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!