Thursday, March 7, 2019

Mary Cassatt and 7 reasons to be grateful


Mary Cassatt (painted from a black and white photo --
photographer unknown --colours imagined!)
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
Tonight I'm posting a little portrait I did of Mary Cassatt in
2015.  I was motivated to do a series on my heroes that year,
after having a powerful experience meditating and then a
dream that all my heroes were walking towards me on the beach
we visit in Pugwash Nova Scotia.

I have loved Mary Cassatt's paintings ever since I first
discovered them in high school.  To see them in person
in New York City at the Met in recent years was amazing,
even though they were in glass cases, and below eye level.

Now for 7 reasons to be grateful in honour of March 7
in the month of change.

1.  My son came over for coffee.  We had a super visit, plus
he helped me move boxes of books into the car, so I can donate
them to friends and little outdoor book libraries around the neighbourhood.

2.  I painted for most of the day.

3. My husband made dinner tonight - Salmon and rice,
steamed broccoli and a delicious salad. Delicious.

4. Someone at Change.org posted a petition against
single use plastic at one of Canada's major grocery chains --
Loblaws.  I signed it and shared it. Plastic pollution is a
major worry for both me and the planet.

5. I talked to my friend in the Netherlands who is feeling
healthy and enjoying riding her bike -- she sounded so
happy and I felt delighted talking to her.

6.  I have just finished Barbara Kingsolver's Unsheltered,
and it was a superb book.

7. Tonight when I'm finished painting I'll start reading
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

All in all a great day.  Thank you for being part of it.

Have a being grateful for your heroes day.

6 comments:

Judi said...

Thank you for sharing both the picture, story behind it and your wonderful day! I could feel so much enjoyment, peace and inspiration in your day. I hope today is just as good.

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you Judi,

I might add a photo of one of Mary Cassatt's paintings to the mix if I have time. I'm glad
you got the feeling of the day. I miss seeing you, and your smile at work. You
were always wonderful to talk to. Yes today is just as good. Sunny, and Happy
International Women's Day! Love that you are making beautiful art -- amazing.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Candy said...

Barbara, I love Mary Cassatt, too! I also think I would love Pugwash, Nova Scotia because it has a fabulous name. Putting it on my list of places to visit. Happy Saturday!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Candy,

Thank you so much. I do love Mary Cassatt's paintings of family life. They are so warm and
beautifully done. I'm delighted that you agree. Pugwash is a very small town,
and I love it, and all of Nova Scotia.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Verna Vogel said...

Hi Barbara,

I just love your blog posts. Thank you for being you, and for making beautiful paintings! CPL has copies of the two books you mentioned. They are very popular! I am now on the "holds" list. Looking forward to reading them when they become available.

xoxoxoxox
Verna

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Verna,

Thank you so much. I think you will enjoy the Barbara Kingsolver. I am enjoying Bernadette's recommendation too. Not my normal read -- a book about female spy rings in the World Wars. But fascinating stuff. Love your blog posts too, and
your inspiring work.

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!