Saturday, March 10, 2018

Art of my father -- #3



A great day on the farm
© W.W. Muir
Oil on board
16 x 20 inches

My father should definitely have been #2, or combined #1 with
my mother, but like many artists I changed my mind.  And instead of
just writing about women, I'm writing about people.

The more I look at the photos that remain of my father's work,
the more I so appreciate his art.  I'm glad I own one painting,
and I hope my brother Andrew owns another.  The rest were sold
off in a job lot (not by me) for next to nothing, which breaks my
heart, so let's not go there.

My Dad was a stern, somewhat harsh father of young children,
and had four.  In that line up, I think the younger two may have
had less discipline, and perhaps more parental affection --
and as the second youngest I definitely saw my father's softer
side.  I had no doubts that he loved me, and he started painting
in part because of my interest in art in high school, and the
fact that I went to OCAD (The Ontario College of Art and Design).

He was entirely self taught, and his innate talent astounds me more
and more.  His eye for colour -- trained in photography first, his
art form before painting -- comes out in every painting.

My father was an amazing writer.  His letters take my breath away.
I thank him for any talent I might have.  And I also thank him big time
for taking us to a summer cottage every summer, and for living on the
Ottawa River, so we could visit and enjoy the dazzling countryside.

I miss you Daddy.

Have an appreciating your parents day


2 comments:

Flora Doehler said...

Oh Barbara. I see your clouds in his! Your work is, of course, much more sophisticated, skilled and professional, but there is that colour similarity and the movement of the clouds. I find that fascinating and I'm so glad that you posted this. xo <3

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Flora,

It was the first time I noticed that myself. That was my father's farm, and he sold it to go
back and work for the government. It was the first time I really saw the exuberance and
love in this work. Thanks for noticing that! Miss you.

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!