The people who build you up!

Summer perfection

Acrylic on watercolour paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

A wonderful day today, but so busy I didn't know when I'd
paint.  Great talk with an inspiring artist friend, and a walk in
the magic day with a friend and her dog.  All happy.
Errands for business and teaching and so on.

Here's the thing (as one of my favourite bosses ever still says),
inspiration and kindness are powerful.  I've been watching
other artists on line just bloody well grab the day and
paint. So I did.

This is a study for a larger painting, and already it cheers
me up with its happy view of one of my favourite parks.
People who inspire you, love you, bounce ideas off
you -- those are the people we all need.  So thank you
to all of you -- because you do that for me every day.

Have a loving your friends day.

This lucky girl

Getting Ready To Dance

Pastels on Drawing paper

181/2 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir ©

This young woman, who modeled for me when

I was doing pastel drawings, has had a magical life. 

The connections between drawing and painting portraits,
and changes in mine and the models' lives has

been fascinating. I painted a portrait of one model
and placed her in Paris hoping she'd get to travel there.
Now I believe that she'd already traveled extensively.
But a few years later I was invited to exhibit in Paris.
Something I could never have imagined, but had
dreamed about since my first trip to Paris after university.

In this case maybe drawing the model shown above
signaled the start of a completely different life for her.
She met and married the man of her dreams, had two lovely
children and a happy life --  friends, exciting travel, and
wonderful work opportunities.

Though I might be mistaken, I'd like to think I had something
to do with the unfolding of her story.  At the time
she was into dance, and that's why the pose is athletic.

Have a changing people's lives day.

Runners -- go for it!

Nike Waffle Trainers -- New

pastel on drawing paper

18 3/4 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir ©

To honour the runners in my family, here is a drawing I did

of a pair of sneakers in my pastel days.  My sons are both
runners now.  One runs competitively, and the other to run.

I don't think they know that long ago their parents used to
run together every night.  Yes we did.  In fact when our
first son was born we ran every night for awhile pushing
the baby stroller.

That activity got scrapped when we realized that it was
affecting every aspect of our parenting life, making us
horrifically tired, and argumentative.  Plus the
baby wouldn't nurse after our runs.  Still I have
happy memories of our fast trips through the neighbourhood.

We now enjoy our walks together with the same delight
that we experienced running before we had children.

Have a taking a run at it day.

In the beginning -- no not quite that old

The red sweater

Pastel on art paper

18 x 24 inches 

Barbara Muir © 

I was sorting through some paintings and found some
drawings from a long time ago.  I love the simplicity of it,
and I'm working on a portrait that went off the rails today.

The portrait will either get its act together, (yes
artists sometimes believe that paintings have a life
of their own),  or I'll work on something
else until the "aha" moment happens.  It's not a big
deal, but I was hoping to have something to show
you and thought I didn't.  But miracles happen.  I found
this drawing.

As it's a busy week for me -- two final evening classes
in the course I've been teaching for the past month and
a half.  I'm going to show you this, and two other
older drawings I found for the next couple of days.
I'm delighted to have quality work to show you.

Have a loving your former work day, 

A trip to Catch The Moments Gallery in Niagara Falls

Gabrielle Fischer Horvath at her gallery

and me with the new addition to

the exhibition --

Pink in the City

There is a whole lot of art going on in Niagara Falls

at Catch The Moments Gallery and Life Casting.
Gabrielle Fischer Horvath and her business partner
Joanelle Murray are running a gallery/school/business
that combines sculpture (life casting), art (painting
in various media and techiques) and a gallery.  Woah!
The space opened in May and it is taking off in a big
way.

Pink in the city

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 16 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

I visited Gabrielle today to talk about future plans, and
to add a painting to her display of my work that fits
the beautiful decor of the space.  In addition to gorgeous
neutrals, white and grey, pink is part of the colour scheme
in the gallery. If you haven't visited the space -- head out to
Niagara Falls and see this amazing place, and the falls.

Have a going to Catch The Moments Day!

Morning drawing

Sketch -- view out the window

Waterclour crayon and marker

5.5 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

I taught last night, so it wasn't that early.  But I vowed I'd

paint and draw all day.  So I did. First thing -- just a sketch of
the backyard.  I see this view out my bedroom window.
My neighbour has a beautiful tree he grew from seed.

Last year part of it came down in a storm that produced

intensive winds, knocking large trees down all over the

city.  

But this huge beauty has survived and all of us who get

to see it every day are so glad. In the current heat it 

provides a canopy of shade at the back of our yard and

I sit on the bench against our garage and watch the birds

fly in and out of its majesty.

Have a loving your neighbourhood trees day.

From the past -- an intense floral drawing

For the lily

Pen and ink and coloured pencil

on art paper

8 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir ©

I taught a class tonight, it's hot, and I am tired, and
really happy.  It was a good class, a good day with art sales
in the offing, great news from wonderful artist friends,
and some decisions about a portrait I'm working on.

I was searching for something to show you tonight, and came
upon this wonderful drawing that my great artist friend
Marcia owns and it's by me.  I don't draw like that anymore,
and find coloured pencil too slow, but for awhile with
a baby crawling around my feet, drawing like this was
how I made a very modest living. Hats off to my younger
self for the perseverance, and hey -- I like it.

Have a loving your former work day!

The story of art

Winter Road Trip

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 48 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

Hey that's a presumptuous title isn't it?  The story of art. What I
mean is that art is a dynamic force in an artist's mind.  And that
force changes over time.  Let's take a recent painting (shown above)
-- Winter Road Trip. As you saw in the picture of me with it at the
opening of the Windows show at the Heliconian Club on July 4th.
I am happy with it.  It does what I wanted it to do.

Me with Winter Road Trip

But its history is like the story of many, many paintings.  Not
just mine.  Believe it or not it started out as a portrait of my
husband reading with the cat.  But somehow I never got enough
sittings to complete it, or even really get it off the ground.  The
cat died, years passed.  And then this year I went on a glorious road trip
with my husband for Valentine's Day to Ottawa.

Looking for a canvas to capture the feeling of that trip, I came
upon the former portrait, sanded it a bit, re-gessoed it, and
began.  But the painting drove me crazy.  My vision was so
romantic, and the painting "meh" as my son says (meaning
not impressive.)

The canvas in its previous life

a not even completely begun portrait of

Steven reading with the cat.

An early version of Winter Road Trip

The start of a journey.

(Cue sound of kid crying)

In other words.  Not working.

I put this painting away.  I worked on other things.  Then pulled it out one day,

put it on the easel, and knew exactly what to do.  That is a miraculous feeling, and

I went with it until the painting was done to my satisfaction.  And that my 

lovely friends is the story of art.  One piece of art.  

Have an enjoying your story day.

Glorious nasturtiums fill in for me

Nasturtiums by the sea

iPad drawing 

8 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

I am working on a portrait that I hope will be wonderful,

and it has taken me 3 days just to draw a very loose
drawing on the canvas.  Not because it was that hard,
but because I kept placing it incorrectly.  Or thinking
that it was perfect and then leaving the room, coming
back and realizing.  No.  Not right!

Do you do that?  Second, third and fourth guess yourself?
Placement matters in a portrait.  And I wanted this piece
to be big, powerful and dramatic.  We'll see.  You'll
see -- as soon as I have something more than a drawing
to show you.

In the meantime -- here are some lovely nasturtiums,
one of my favourite flowers, drawn on my iPad, to
put some colour on my blog.  I feel very happy because
I finally conquered that portrait image, and it is placed.
Well conquered is a strong word, I mean I am now ready
to paint the thing.

Have an enjoying the day -- day.

All about the boy -- Happy Anniversary Steven

Missing you too

Skype drawing

Charcoal on bond paper

18 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012

Today is a special day every year since I met the love of
my life -- Steven.  This is the anniversary of our first date.
And the amazing fact, among many others, is that we've
been together ever since. Yes we celebrate two anniversaries --
our wedding day, and today.

We had of course met one another before.  But this was
the real beginning.  And what a wonderful life we've had
together.  So much fun, happiness, love.

No we're not perfect at all.  We disagree, have arguments,
annoy one another.  But underneath even the not so great
days is the fact of our enduring love.  I am very grateful
that we found each other.  And I'm so happy that we have
a loving family and friends.

I wish everyone a life filled with love.  There is nothing
like it.  And if you don't have someone this minute,
someone out there is waiting for you to come along.

Wishing you a day filled with love.

Happiness -- the art of friends

Happiness

Mixed Media

Georgia Fullerton © 2019

I own the art of quite a few of my friends.  This little
painting I bought a few months ago, made its way to
me on the day of the opening of the group show Windows
that I'm in (on until September 4th) at the Heliconian Club
on Hazelton Avenue in Toronto.

This is by my dear friend Georgia.  And it seems right to
talk about it today, because I just did a ten minute
meditation on happiness.  I also had a long talk with
my brother about art, and about what matters wealth,
or happiness.  They don't necessarily go together.
I am lucky. I said happiness.  I am a happy person most
of the time because I like my life and am surrounded by
loving people.

So this little painting hanging in our red entrance
hallway at the moment is called Happiness.  I had
forgotten the title -- but how perfect. Thank you Georgia
for being a fabulous artist, and for adding joy to the
planet.

Have a buying your friend's art day.

Looking back -- on a long, hot, hard and great day

Kitchen scene

Flowers, drawing, notebook,

coffee, the newspaper.  

Yep that looks normal.

Barbara Muir © 2015

Some Saturdays are so packed that they fly by crazy fast.

You feel like you've done nothing, but you check the
long list you wrote to keep yourself sane, and you've
done it all.

That was today.  Tons accomplished, but what stands out
is the blasting heat, and the few minutes we sat on the porch
drinking sips of not very lively champagne with a cherry in
each glass and toasting one another.

This photo from 4 years ago, looks both joyful and busy and
suits such a day.  It was incredibly, horribly hot.  I heard
a comedian say that that's what Canadians talk about --
the weather -- and some days that makes sense.

Have a loving your life day.

Happiness is catching

At La Rosa

Acrylic on mounted birch panel

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

A few years ago -- (OMG 5!) -- we had
a family member who had to visit Toronto Western
Hospital frequently.  At the time one of us would
head over to La Rosa Bakery and either hang out, or pick
up sandwiches for when the treatment, or appointment
was over. We loved the people there.

I did this little portrait of Lisa who worked at the bakery, but
when I went back to show it to her, she wasn't there.
Since then we've rarely been back in the neighbourhood,
and I hear the bakery closed.  So sorry.  I did a few portraits
of people who worked at, and visited La Rosa --
all great people.

I think this woman's wonderful warmth and humour
comes through in the portrait.  I've been thinking of
and planning portraits all day, but have nothing
concrete to show you.  This painting is one I'm
proud of.  Small, and it's all there.

Have a loving what you do day.

Happiest of days

Pansies in a silver vase
Watercolour on watercolour paper
9 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © date unknown

SOLD ♥

It is a gorgeous, if frighteningly hot day, and I had the
distinct pleasure of packing this painting up,
and sending it off to its new owner.  She sent me a
cheque, which I cashed with pleasure.  I parked the
car a couple of blocks away from the bank and was
filled with joy, and the beauty of the flowers along
my walk.  Yesterday we had heavy rain, today bright
sun -- the plants are very happy.

I'm really glad this painting is heading up to
northern Ontario to a super collector, and fan of
my work in general.  Thank you to everyone who
helped me -- to the wonderful woman at De Serres
who mounted it beautifully in a mat and packed it
for me.  Thank you to the sweet woman at the post
office who figured out prices and proper mailing
packaging.

Off she goes.  Wishing you a happy day filled
with beauty.

Have a loving your work day.

A Happy Story

First sighting -- coming home

Acrylic on watercolour paper

10.6 x 13.8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

So much of the news is hard to take.  And I've had some kind
of bug, so here's a happy story.  This painting, painted from
memory of one of my favourite places in the world in Nova
Scotia, went home the other day to a very special collector.

For an artist, knowing your work is with people who love it
is a big deal. Sometimes it all comes together perfectly
through circumstances and connections.  I love that.

Have a loving what you do day.

How to talk to artists

At the  Carrousel du Louvre exhibition

at the Louvre in Paris, France -- June 2015

Guests enjoying the show.

I’ve been to some great art shows lately,
and have been noticing what gets said. If you
visit exhibitions as an artist or guest here are some
of the lessons I learned from the blog world.

Art bloggers are an incredibly supportive group. In
my 11 years of blogging I’ve had one negative comment.
Why? Bloggers comment when they like your work,
and don’t comment if they don’t. This is a civilized system—
all unspoken, yet understood. It’s hard enough having
the confidence to put your work online, or in shows. And
artists are their own worst critics.

If you visit a show say what you like. If you don’t like
a piece, hold your fire.

Loving the art

Black marker on Fringe drawing paper

9 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

Artists need to make money, and they are the lowest paid
group in this country (Canada). The last stats I researched
put the average salary for a full time artist at $8,000.
Not a living wage. So most artists want and need to sell.
If you really like a work of art, find out if it’s for sale.

Sometimes artists can make payment arrangements, and
sometimes they can’t. Whatever you do, don’t talk
about other artists' whose work you’ve bought recently
if you aren’t planning to buy work by the artist you're
talking to. Put the focus on the artists you're visiting.

As an artist I know I've talked to exhibiting artists about my
art at shows I wasn't in.  Not a good idea, unless the artist
asks you about your work.

Also basic courtesy— if you’re at a friend’s show, buy
your friend’s work, not another artist’s work in a group
show, unless you buy your friend’s work first.

Don’t insult other artists’ work in a group show. It doesn’t
make your friend feel good. It's just embarrassing.
Once again compliment the work you like.

Finally never give unrequested advice. I had the perfect
art advisor friend, who would come to see my work before
a show and give me advice. Everything she said was both
sensitive and right. That’s a talent few people have. She moved
away and since then I’ve gone it alone.  Unless someone
wants your opinion of what to change in their work, don’t give it.
Even if you're an expert, you're not the expert about that
person's work.

So please go to art shows, and please compliment
work you like. And by all means buy art!

Have a being good to artists day.

Sheroes

No Question about it in life one of my top sheroes is Oprah

Oprah Winfrey Skype Sketch

from the show Where In The Skype Are You

willow charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes paper
11 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

And in art one of my sheroes is 
Mary Cassatt (painted from a black and white photo --
photographer unknown --colours imagined!)
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015

I have so many women heroes. The two above matter so much to me.
And today I must add the four American congresswomen (Alexandria Ocasio-
 Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar) American
President Donald Trump racially targeted and told to "go back" to the
"crime infested" countries they came from. Three of the four were born
in the U.S., and the other is a U.S. citizen.  I am so proud of them for
standing up to Trump, and for saying that his full on racist remarks are
a diversion from the critical issues of the children being held in disgusting
conditions at the U.S./Mexico border, and climate change -- the most
serious world issue now.

I have painted many women, and many of them are my sheroes.
Who are the great women who matter in your life? Three cheers
for the four congresswomen.

Have an acknowledging your sheroes day. 

Dreaming of a vacation

Now that was good!

Black marker on notebook paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

We started making plans about our vacation today, and

I can't stop thinking of how much I love hotels and
hotel room service breakfasts.  So that's what I'm showing
you tonight.

I can hardly wait -- even though I have to.  It's a few
weeks off, but woo hoo.  This is one of my favourite drawings
of a hotel breakfast.

Have a dreaming of vacation day.

At the Toronto outdoor art fair

Visitors enjoy Joyce Fournier's art at the 

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

at Nathan Philips Square today

Today we visited the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, which is
on for one more day Sunday, so hurry down if you want
to see a lot of beautiful art.

We were there to look for artist friends.  And this
year the fair is huge!  Luckily we bumped into Paul
Fournier, Joyce Fournier's husband, and he directed us
to Joyce's booth.  Her abstract pieces are fantastic and would
liven up any space.

Kim Rempel discusses her

beautiful art with a guest. 

I also really wanted to see Kim Rempel, and she did a
clever thing on Instagram, highlighting where she was
near the front doors of City Hall.  We found her easily.
Her work is absolutely amazing, and it's abstract too.
After we said goodbye to Kim, we walked along looking
for other artist friends, but didn't find them.  We wish
everyone showing at the exhibition great weather, and
super sales.   If you're in Toronto tomorrow (Sunday),
pop on down.

Have a going to an art show day.

One part of "the scene".

Art Group Sketch (work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir ©

Being an artist is a bit like a juggling act.  How do

you keep all the pieces moving?  Today I took some
paintings to be matted, delivered a painting to its
forever home, (More about that another day), saw a
world filled with possibilities -- artist's eyes -- click, click,
click!

And worked on this painting started in my art group.
The model is gone, the reference is very vague, and
yet I find I'm drawn to the piece and want to work
on it a bit more.  For fun.

This isa glimpse of it on the easel.  Yep this is where part
of it happens.  The painting part.  As my friend the artist
Verna Vogel writes (laughs!).

Have a deciding to buy art day.

Hang loose and keep on painting

Young Man Reading

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir ©

I found this painting in one of many stacks of work
around the house, and I really love it.  It isn't wired, and
probably was never shown. One of my blog and Facebook
friends Janet Vanderhoof is working hard at painting in a loose
style, and I love what she is doing. I tend to rocket between loose
and highly descriptive, but love the times when I am more free
with my paint.

I have been lucky for my entire artistic life to have a super
supportive family.  This painting is of my son Sam who
posed for me many times during his late teens when he
was living at home and a ready subject.  Christopher,
my son, my daughter-in-law Megan, Steven, my husband
and our various animals have all posed. And I am grateful
for them.  Big time.

Have a loving what you do day.

11 years ago on this day I talked about the Power of the Positive

In the kitchen

Acrylic on canvas

36 x 36 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Tonight I felt curious about what was going on on this day 11 years ago

when I started the blog.  As it happens on July 6, 2008 I broke my
ankle walking my dog on the slick,  newly watered grass on a hill in
our neighbourhood park.  My dog at that time, Zoey, (she was a great
dog and died at almost 14 in 2013) pulled on the leash when she saw
another dog, and I fell off balance and landed on my ankle with a crunch.
The pain was through the roof.

I had started blogging, so I described my recovery.  It blows me away
to this day to read about valiant Steven, my husband wheeling me in
a rented wheelchair over to the park so that we could take our routine
"walks" together.  What a guy!

By July 10 -- four days after the accident I was determined to pick it
up and be positive.  That is something I appreciate about the people
I admire, and who have been wonderful examples in my life.  They
work on being positive.

And thinking about that time eleven years ago, how lucky I feel that
I was dancing in the kitchen today with the cats.  Today we had the A.C. on
because it was super hot outside.  And I felt jubilant every time I turned
away from the brilliant flowers and heat in the garden into the cool of
the house,

I'm showing a painting I did early on in my life as an acrylic painter.  It
was probably 2004 or 5, before I started blogging.  The model was
a wonderful woman, and she posed for me in our kitchen with her
coffee.  My painting has changed so much since then.  I can still feel
the watercolour influence in this one.  But I love the expression and
light.

Have an enjoying the Power of Being Positive day.

The importance of joy

Pugwash Flower People

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012

SOLD ♥

I've been teaching tonight, an activity that like painting

definitely brings me joy. I feel like sharing this painting
I did some years ago, and then revised adding in the woman,
Maxine.  These two -- Ken and Maxine -- are the Pugwash flower
people, and in many ways they have transformed the gardens in their
area of Nova Scotia, and all the way over here in Toronto
with variants of petunias that didn't exist before.

We discovered Ken years ago just after we first starting going
out to Nova Scotia every summer.  Then Maxine came
on the scene and she is also a vital part of the flower
business, and of creating new types of flowers.  They
are a treat.  I am thinking about Elizabeth Gilbert and her book
on creativity, Big Magic.  She believes that we need to
approach creativity with "stubborn gladness."  I love that
idea.

I wrote about this before -- how my mother was one of
the most valiantly cheerful people I ever met.  I'm grateful
to her.  She stayed delighted by the world, especially by
nature, through serious illness in her final years, and
increasing blindness.  Somehow I got a heaping helping
of her positive energy.  She was critical too, and would
have been devastated about what we're doing to the planet.
She was ultra conservationist.

Soon we are heading to Pugwash and I hope to see this
couple who are adding to the beauty of the world every
day.  They definitely have the concept of stubborn gladness down.

Have a looking for the positive and changing the negative day.

Winter Road Trip and Photos from the Windows Opening

Winter Road Trip

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 48 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

The opening Saturday of the Windows exhibition at the Heliconian
Club was wonderful.  This is the painting Winter Road Trip that
was behind me in the photo on yesterday's blog.  It was both in
memory of a wonderful Valentine's Day road trip to Ottawa, and
of the winter I spent finishing the painting.

Here are some photos of the exhibition opening at the Heliconian Club.
I did not take many photos myself.  I was busy talking to my visitors.
I'll share what I have.  It's a beautiful show and runs until September
4.

My new friend and artist Mayya Chykalovets (in

the turquoise dress) sent me this photo of

left to right me, Georgia Fullerton, Mayya, and

Pooja Chauhan.  Georgia and Pooja were my guests.

We are sitting in front of three of my pieces in the show.

Claire Bonenfant with her
found art sculpture constructed
being Red Dress, and in the background
her combination sculpture and
painting the Red Dress through Window


Guests (left) Bill Sparks, Patricia Brady (center) and me
in front of Winter Road Trip.



Mayya Chykalovets with her wall of
Window abstracts on glass.

Thank you Pooja Chauhan and Mayya Chykalovets for the photos.  If anyone has other

images with artists' names please send them on to me, and I'll include them.  I had a 

great time, and would love you to see the art.

Have a loving the art you see day.

Super Opening at the Heliconian Club

Me with my hands in the air

at the opening of the Heliconian Club

Windows Exhibition yesterday.

I am in front of my painting,

Winter Road Trip

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 48 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

(salute to Miranda Brouwers and

the Happy People Group at the

Florence Biennale in 2015. Hands in the

air means you are happy!)

Hi Everyone,

I'll post more pictures tomorrow, if they come in. It was a super
opening at the Helconian yesterday.  Wonderful art, great guests,
delicious treats, gorgeous venue.  Perfect in every way.  Thank
you to all of our visitors, and to friends and family for coming out
to see the art.  And thank you to all of my fellow artists in the
exhibition.  It is a wonderful show.  It's up until the beginning of
September. Contact the Heliconian Club at (416) 922-3618 to find
out about their schedule and to see when it's possible to go and see
the exhibition.

Have a caring about the arts day. 

Today's the opening day!

See what I mean?

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

If you're in Toronto today, please come out to the opening of

Windows, an art exhibition at the Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton
Ave. This is one of my five paintings in the show.  I will
be there from 1 -  4 p.m. and would love to see you there.

Have a going to an art show day.

Crazy excited about the opening tomorrow and computer problems again

Up the hill at the end of the day

Watercolour and black marker

on watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir ©

This painting is not in the group show, Windows at the Heliconian Club

tomorrow, but it expresses the superb happiness I feel about being
part of that show!  The venue is beautiful, a century plus old church,
and the oldest women's art club in Canada. Woo Hoo!

Come one, come all.  I am bringing cookies.

Got to go to bed now, but hope to see you there.

Have a going to an art show day.

Happy July 4th to my American Family and Friends

All dressed up for you

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019
(one of the paintings I'll have
in the Windows show opening
July 4th).

We had our big celebration on Canada Day, July 1.  For our
family this is a big week, as right after Canada day it's my
son's birthday, and then all of our American family is
celebrating July 4th.  So it is a terrifically jolly week.

I took 5 paintings to the Heliconian Club today to
get them installed for the July 6th opening this Saturday.
The celebrations continue.  Claire Bonenfant came with
us, and installed her amazing sculpture and companion
painting.  Claire is an amazing artist with a totally unique
imagination.  I love her work.

Please come out to the opening.  There are so many wonderful
works of art by the Heliconian members in the show, Windows.
See yesterday's blog for details.  It runs from 1- 4 p.m. Saturday
at the Heliconian Club (the beautiful converted white board and
batten church at 35 Hazelton Avenue in Toronto.  I'd love to see
you there.

Have a wanting to see more art day.

The work of preparation -- Getting ready for the Heliconian Club Windows Show

In a park by the lake -- happiness

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2018

Hi Everyone,

If you're in Toronto please come out to the Heliconian summer art show, Windows
at the Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton Ave.The opening is from 1 - 4 p.m. this
July 6 Saturday.  I've been having computer problems, but will post this as soon as I can.

Meanwhile Happy July 4th tomorrow to all of my American family and friends.

Have a preparing for fun day.

Please come out to the Windows exhibition at the Heliconian Club

Hi everyone,

If you're in Toronto this Saturday afternoon, July 6, please drop in
to the Heliconian Club, at the address shown on the invitation above.
I have five landscape pieces in the Windows show, and I know that all
of the artists are excellent, and it will be an amazing exhibition.

Come and see me in this beyond beautiful space between 1 and
4 p.m.  I will be there, and would so love to see you.  This is my
first group show with the club since I joined this spring, and I
am very excited about being part of it.

Have a planning to go to an art show day.

Happiest of Canada Days -- sold one of my favourite paintings

Wonder Water Image #2

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014
SOLD ♥

Happy Canada Day.  Yes I love my country.  Steven and I walked
the dog wearing our corny Canada Day cowboy beach hats that
we bought in Pugwash Nova Scotia a couple of years ago. The
hats lead to wonderful conversations all through the park with
people about Canada Day, Nova Scotia, and even Newfoundland,
where we would love to visit.

My big news today is that this painting I love of a wonderful
young woman named Solana sold.  She has already hung it in
her apartment and it looks perfect there.  I'm so grateful to her
mother, who bought portraits for both of her daughters.  I showed
you the one of Etana earlier.

Right now I'm working on landscapes, but the urge to do portraits
is emerging powerfully.  Watch this space.  And Happy, happy,
Canada Day.

P.S.  Try not to use plastic bottles, or release balloons.  Let's keep
this country green.