Friday, July 21, 2017

Joyous rain -- artists are complicated


Rain Ahead
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2017
Available

Talking to my wonderful friend in the Netherlands
this morning, we touched on rain.  I always find
the divide between what goes on in the studio --
(what really goes on -- painting), and what is
imagined to be happening -- both surprising and
funny.

So my friend said that people assume that when
we artists paint a grey sky, or a rain filled image that
we are gloomy.  But no.  Because we love the look
of rain too!  Landscape painters love weather and
change, and find beauty in nature's variety.

I don't think I've shown you a photo of this painting
 -- Rain Ahead -- capturing the amazing rain my husband
 and I saw driving home to Toronto from Ottawa on our
 anniversary weekend.

Have a happy in rain, or shine day.



Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The total joy of happy collectors!



A collector's arrangement of Barbara Muir works.  © Barbara Muir.
I love these three paintings which all glorify daily life -- my intention
when I painted them.  And it makes me happy to see that. Thank
you to a wonderful collector.

Is there anything better for an artist than being
taken through someone's house to see the place
where your art is displayed?  No way!  You
dream up ideas in the night, you plan, and paint
and think about your work.  And then in a show,
or a private viewing -- Woo Hoo!  It sells.

Yes.  That is a huge thrill, made even bigger
if possible, by a collector who shows you
how your work looks with wide, wide smiles
beaming with pride.  Whew!  Knock me out!

One such wonderful collector sent me this photo
of my work yesterday.  What a delight.


Have a loving-your-collectors day!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Walking in a dream


Untitled (work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2017

The gift of landscape painting -- is that what you love is
around you all the time.  It was the most beautiful
and long spring this year, and is now a magnificent
summer.  This painting is of crabapple trees a short
walk from my house that felt like a fantastic party in
pink at the height of their glory.

Our winter was so grey it was recorded as one of the
longest winters without sun in some time.  So to step
out of the house and see this was like a spectacular
present -- a miracle.

I have loved working on the painting, and it's almost done.

Have a loving-what-you-see day.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Pop Up Art Show opens tomorrow -- Come on out!




I have three pieces in the Independents Show opening
tomorrow night.  Come on out to 1340 Queen Street
West between 7 and 11 p.m. tomorrow night and I'll
see you there.  Admission is free -- it's a big show --
wonderful work, and this is the party we've been
waiting for.  See you there.  One of my paintings is
in the bottom right hand corner of the ad above.

Have a going to an art show evening (tomorrow).

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!