Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Thank you to a wonderful writer

The Writer's Life
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013

I’m posting this painting tonight, although I sometimes show it for
Mother’s Day. The painting has extra resonance this year when all
of us are working at home, including many mothers of young children,
and babies. But tonight the reason I am showing it is to thank Auralee
Wallace, the beautiful writer in the picture. 

My mother died seven years ago today in 2013, on Canadian
Thanksgiving Day that year.  The week before my mother died
I was in an art show with three works called The Times Table Series,
featuring Auralee Wallace and her family. Auralee knew that I was going
through a very hard time, and helped me by sending so many lovely
photos of her family. The series focused on things that happen
in a family's life around a table. Auralee and I both taught English at
Seneca College, which was where we met.  Now Auralee is a prolific author,
and if you click on her name at the beginning of this sentence, you can check
out some of her novels.

People talk about the healing power of art. I know that painting this
series certainly helped me to have hope for the future at a very sad time.
I'm remembering that time now with gratitude for Auralee's kindness.
And the picture is even more evocative because, so many of us are trying
to balance home and family life, plus work, in one space. 

What I learned from my mother's death is that love is the answer,
and in a whole lifetime we will never have enough time to be with the
ones we love. So let's enjoy it now, and spread love in the world.

2 comments:

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

Beautiful painting❤️❤️❤️ And your wise words about love. It is always the way ❤️
Thank you for the link 😃. The books look like a fun read - good to have now especially!

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you so much Evelyn! It was an important lesson to learn.
Yes it is a great time to have a good book to read. Auralee is
a great writer.

Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO 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!