Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Happy Birthday to David Cohen and a portrait of Stephen Lewis


Stephen Lewis
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir ©
completed 2021
(The newspaper photo
this was loosely based on
has been on so many bulletin
boards that it is riddled with
holes from thumb tacks.
Yet it's still powerful.)

I always remember that it's David Cohen's birthday, which is surprising 
because I barely remember most people's birthdays except for family. So
I called him first thing this morning, and sang Happy Birthday to him.  Then
when Steven got off work we called together with our dog Sally, who
loves David, and loves "singing" Happy Birthday.

David is a brilliant writer, a passionate activist for every cause that
matters, and a 
wonderful, kind and loving person. He's my dear friend
Marcia LaBelle's husband, and the two of them have a very happy marriage.

My friend Marcia and her husband, David Cohen,
visiting 
the show On The Bright Side at the
Wychwood Barns ten years ago.
(I'm so looking forward to the
time when we can do public
exhibitions again.)

I came upon this portrait of Stephen Lewis, and added a few more details
today.  We attended an excellent Massey Lecture by Stephen Lewis at
the University of Toronto about 15 years ago, and were deeply moved
by his work on trying to get governments to pay for treatments for people with
AIDS.  I know that our friend David Cohen has worked for every cause trying
 to improve the lives of people in his community and across Canada. Like Stephen
Lewis, David is a great Canadian, and I'm sure he admires Stephen Lewis's work.
But to be certain I asked him tonight, and he said that if we ever saw Stephen
Lewis in our walks around Toronto to tell him that David Cohen in Hamilton
thinks he's wonderful.

It was a beautiful day for David's birthday. He said that he had a great time with
his family, who are living together during the pandemic.  And I am very happy to
have finished this small portrait of one of my heroes. 

Have a finishing the work day.

9 comments:

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

Wow - what a strong determined look. Great portrait. Love the colours too.

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you Evelyn. I believe he is a strong, determined person.
And a very good person. Thank you so much. Love your work to the
max.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

cohen labelle said...

Many thanks! I don’t remember how old I was 10 years ago, therefore I cannot be expected to know how old I am now. In any case, ignorance is bliss. We are very blessed to have you and Steven as our dear friends and of course Sally, who contributes so much rhythm to the ensemble!
❤️❤️❤️,
David and Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you so much Marcia,

You know that I don't remember. You were young and beautiful, and you
are young and beautiful. Sally the dog is a good singer -- especially for
birthdays. It's her thing. I'm so happy that you two are our dear friends.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara and Steven

cohen labelle said...

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Dear Barbara, Steven and dog Sally, again thank you so much for continuing to remember David’s birthday and for serenading him with your incomparable interpretation of the birthday greeting— Sally’s barking is, as always, unfailingly tuneful and resonant. I would even consider hiring her as a voice teacher.
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Jennifer Rose said...

sounds like a nice guy but no idea who he is lol

Barbara Muir said...

Dear Marcia,

Thank you so much. A voice teacher? Wait until I tell her. Aside from
transportation she is inexpensive. Al you need are dog cookies.
Happy Birthday to David again.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Jennifer Rose,

Do you mean my friend David -- who no you don't know, or Stephen Lewis
who has done so much work in trying to get help from the world
for people with HIV/AIDS in Africa. He is a very good man.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Entering these answers late at night. LOL. Correction. All you need is dog cookies.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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!