Friday, November 22, 2019

Getting there -- and wow 300 posts!

Flowers in a silver jug
Acrylic on canvas
Acrylic and acrylic ink, and 
marker on canvas
11 x 14 inches 
Barbara Muir © 2019
I love the people who post pictures of their work in progress
when the work goes in a straight line -- each step making
total sense along the way.  That's not about formula, it's
about total confidence and understanding about what to do
and when.  It's sort of like driving a car.  When you absolutely
know how, you do all the right things, in the right order,
and you get there.

In painting I am more of a feel my way along person.  I do
know that in most cases when I want to complete
a work, I will.  But I can change my mind 15 times in
one painting session.  In fact that's why I leave the room.

I am a person who needs a painting to be like my morning
oatmeal -- on high heat at first, and then low heat for a
long time until it's cooked. (Boy I am crazy for metaphors
and similes tonight.) I love coming back in the room (my
studio) and going "Right!" and knowing just what to do next.

But sometimes my spirits, or energy lag, and that just plain
takes more time.  So I am totally grateful to people who
paint in carefully thought out, intelligent and beautifully
successful steps.  Believe me I study you.  I want that.

This painting has gone forward, stopped for a holiday,
gone forward, got off at the next stop, gone forward
and gloried in my delight in it, and is still going forward.
But I would say it is definitely getting there.

Have a learning from clear thinking creatives day.

2 comments:

cohen labelle said...

I think this is a beautiful painting and that it is “there” as you indicate it’s position in your charming description of your process beginning from oatmeal on high heat etc
Xo,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thank you so much. I have an idea or two. Small, small.

It makes me super happy that you like it.

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!