Sunday, February 6, 2022

The Love of Flowers in the Month of Love


Jubilant spring flowers
Watercolour on watercolour paper
24  x 36 inches
© Barbara Muir (date unknown)
(The photo is not the best quality,
but this is a work from the time
when I painted with an
infant playing nearby.)

I started out as a flower painter.  When my firstborn started to crawl, I worked on small
coloured pencil drawings at the dining room table, while the baby played in his 
playpen, or bounced in the jolly jumper, or napped.  My goal was a drawing a day. All
I know is that I sold them at a very low rate framed. It helped me pay my share of the
rent.

After two years at OCAD, I switched to an English Literature degree, because 
I wanted to be a writer.  And I did, and do write professionally. Plus I teach writing. But art
wins in the big picture (pardon my pun.) It is my passion. And art has taken me all
over the world.

I love flowers, and almost always have some in the house, winter and summer.
I love drawing them, and painting them.  But I was trying to explain to a friend
(not an artist) the other day, that artists get high on what they see. True.  No
drugs necessary. And flowers really do make my heart sing.

Today was a beautiful winter day.  Not too cold, huge banks of bright white snow
everywhere, decorated with brilliant blue shadows from the trees. Beyond
amazing!  We took a drive out to our favourite park, fed the geese and ducks,
walked in the snow, and just now picked up some beautiful tulips. A happy
Sunday.   

Have a loving your life day.

2 comments:

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

Beautiful painting so like a Dutch master painting. ❣️❣️❣️❣️ And to have painted it with a little one.

Barbara Muir said...

Wow Evelyn.

Like a Dutch master. Thank you. I think it was a very happy time, and that helps.

I'm sure I was inspired by someone. I always am. I'm inspired by you now, and the lemons on my table are beckoning.

XOXOXOXOXOXO 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!