Past the 2500 mark -- whew. Thanks for joining me.

Large version of the award 

(the realistic sized version is 

much smaller)
Barbara Muir © 2015

(When I sent out this

award -- artists were giving

each other awards all the time.

I realized that there was nothing

stopping me from doing the same

thing. So today I offer

it to everyone.  I can no

longer even count all the

people who influence my art

and thinking, and make me happy.

Thank you times more than 2500 blogs!)

A good friend and fabulous artist from Texas sent me a letter
saying that she no longer cared what people thought about
her art, and she didn't care about sales.  I know exactly what
she means, even though I don't feel the same way.  I don't paint
for any specific audience.  When I do a commission I
explain that I paint in my own way, and that's what the
client is ordering. But I love it when my work pleases
people.  And I do care about sales.  I don't think there's
anything wrong with viewing painting as a job, or a
career.

In fact whatever anyone thinks about what they do with
their work is what matters.  I was on a Zoom call with
my brother tonight, and he pointed to a self portrait that
I did when I was in university.  He said,"See that?
Do you think you've improved?"  I looked at it, and
thought, 'yes in some ways', but I love what my eye saw
then too.

What I know is that painting, and blogging here, and being
in art shows in North America and Europe has given me
a magnificent life.  And I'm grateful.

I give you all the Happy Art Award.  You make me happy!