Saturday, January 16, 2021

What hangs over your head? I don’t mean art!

 

Good news Clementines with Lemon friends
Acrylic on cradled birch panel
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2019
(You can expect a new painting
like this soon, because I bought the clementines
with leaves today.  They always remind
me of Florence, Italy, because that's where
I first saw them.  I do love and miss Florence.

In an incredibly nervous making, highly tense time, I’m trying to figure out what
worries me, or hangs over my head, and I’m trying figure out how to get those
issues handled. I know I’ve told you about the Six Things list I learned to make
when I was teaching positive psychology.

That short list, (which often goes to 10, or 12 things) helps, but it also helps to
figure out what should be done first. If I write my blog earlier in the day, I feel
happier. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy writing the blog, of course that’s why
I do it. 

And even though this year I didn't promise myself I’d write a blog every day,
I’m in the habit, and I'm happy to have some positive habits in this hard year. 

If I can write the blog earlier, sometimes not knowing whether there will be
new art, or not, I can take some of the stress out of my life. It’s a beautiful day
today. I think we’re allowed to go to the park we love because exercise is allowed
in the severe lockdown we’re experiencing in Ontario. So that’s where I’m going.

My once a week class has started and I have marking to do, so that has to be done,
and will be. What hangs over your head? Is there something that must be done?
If you can do it, I hope you get it done, so that you can enjoy this beautiful day. 

5 comments:

laura said...

Love this painting: so bright and lovely ...
In the to-do column: too much work; I accepted too many jobs and thanks to the distractionbs of all theturmoil here, have made too little progess. I try to channel my mother, who would always reassure: you'll get it done, you always do.

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks so much Laurel. I channel my mother too. She would be
certain I could do the things on my list.

I so love your work. The cats are amazing. (Yes I'm a cat lover.
We have two.)

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

Beautiful and such an uplifting painting. Looking forward to the next one!
Most times I wish I knew what was hanging over my head or as friend used to say carrying on my shoulders.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

I was writing my answer at night, and didn’t see that I said Laurel instead of Laura. OMG!
Sometimes my iPad edits for me too. I love your work and have been your friend here for years,
so I definitely know your name. Forgive the typo!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you so much Evelyn,

Sadly the leaves withered immediately, so I’ll have to get more! They are such a beautiful fruit.
The leaves just look amazing! Must do’s, and should do’s are the big ones. And the list can seem
very long.

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!