Dreaming of Florence
Charcoal on bond paper
18 x 24 inches
© Barbara Muir
I wanted to do a charcoal self portrait tonight when I got home
from teaching my Monday night class. But it was too late, Ihadn't had dinner, and I was just too tired.
I watched a great show on Amanpour last night about fatigue,
and our society's allergy to the concept. Apparently that desire
to always be on, to not admit to fatigue is really bad for us says
sleep expert Matthew Walker, and it could potentially be killing us.
Huh?
So I decided to give myself a break. I love this portrait of a
wonderful model named Shakoya. I drew it just after I came
home from my first trip to Florence. I loved, loved, loved
the art there, and wanted to put gold leaf halos on everyone.
For me they weren't religious symbols, just signs of high affection.
As in -- "you are so wonderful! I think I'm going to paint
you wearing a halo." The urge wore off back here in
North America, but seeing this drawing tonight, there's a powerful
attraction to the concept.
A halo brings out the saintly in all of us. I also like her necklace
of butterflies, which I think was Shakoya's. But in this time of
panic about the environment, it seems appropriate.
Have a letting yourself be tired day.
2 comments:
You have a great mind, Barbara!
Yes! to painting halos on people you love.
And Yes! to more sleep. There is a whole history to sleep, worth delving into. We are very disconnected to ourselves ever since the industrial revolution, really.
A truly excellent book I'm currently reading:
How To Be Idle, by Tom Hodgkinson
Really, it could replace the bible. Oooh, dare I say that? *laughs*
Love your work, and you.
xoxoxoxo
Verna
Thank you so much Verna,
I will have to check out that book! Yes it probably was and is all the "machines"
that are keeping us up at night. Like this one I'm writing to you on. But I am
so glad I have it, and promise to go to bed soon! Love your work
XOXOXOXOXO Barbara
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