In a mood for apples

Apples on a fancy dish
watercolour on Arches 

watercolour paper
with black marker

12 x 14 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

Tonight is promising the chill of autumn.  I am not ready.
I'd planned to write another longer post today, but it has been
a busy day with workers in the house, and limited time for
writing.  So here is a painting that I love of apples. Although I'm
not ready for cold weather, I love the harvest part of
fall, and the celebrations centering around the harvest
bounty.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to my friend Raylea, and to baby James -- our youngest family member

Happiness

Acrylic on Birch panel

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014
(Raylea was the model for this.)

Today was a busy, and beautiful day. It is my good friend Raylea's
birthday. Happy Birthday Raylea. We had a nice visit outside with
the family's guests from B.C. And it is the first birthday for the
youngest in our family. Happy Birthday James.
I had a lovely walk with Steven after we both finished work.

So all in all Happy Tuesday!

Our thanks to our friends in Nova Scotia

The school house near

Wallace, Nova Scotia today

Photo: Greg Smiley © 2022

Blog: Barbara Muir © 2022

 A year ago on this day I posted this image of our school house,

which was hit by a tree in hurricane Fiona a year ago. My
husband and I are grateful to everyone who worked to save
the school house.

What used to be 3 acres of forest 
behind our school house.
All gone.
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2023

We got home from visiting Nova Scotia and our school house
a week ago on Sunday.  What no one could have described
so we would understand it, was the devastation around the
school house.  The three acres of tall, magnificent, century old
trees behind the school house were flattened in the hurricane.
We have never been able to see Wallace Bay from the school
house in the 20 plus years that we've owned the building. 

Our hearts go out to the people of Nova Scotia, who just
endured more destruction from Hurricane Lee, and who have
lived through forest fires and flooding. Nova Scotia is a
beautiful province.

Take care.

Happy Monthaversary

Irises celebrate
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2022

It's out Monthaversary -- something we celebrate every month --
sometimes just by acknowledging the day.  Today was the 
Monthaversary of our wedding day. It was an incredibly beautiful
day -- ideal temperature -- gorgeous.  We sat on our back porch
starting with our morning coffee, just loving the silence.  There
is a bank of very high, old trees behind us at the back of the 
neighbouring street's houses.  They are magnificent, and 
today all we could hear with our morning coffees was the
wind in the trees, and the birds flying in and out of the trees.
Idyllic.

Our entire day was a treat.  Lunch from the take out place
we love, more time on the porch with our two cats, and
the dog.  And now it's my turn to make dinner.

We do not have irises, because it's the wrong season, but they
feel like the perfect image for a perfect day.

Have a loving your life day.

An exciting memory!

 Ubaldo Vitali, Alchemist
Winner of the
MacArthur Genius Grant in 2011

Black marker on drawing paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012

Looking through my blog for portraits today I found this post from
2012, and felt so happy. I’d been asked by HLN CNN to feature Ubaldo Vitali. 

Enjoy the post and my portrait of the wonderful Ubaldo. 

"This week I was contacted by HLN CNN and asked if I'd like
to talk on my blog about the silversmith, Ubaldo Vitali, who
won the MacArthur Genius Grant in 2011.  I watched the clip
and was so impressed with this lovely, humble man --
a fantastic artist, with a wonderful face, that I had to draw him. 
The show The Next List, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on
CNN at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 20, will feature Ubaldo Vitali,
and I think you will love it.

Something he said in the short clip I watched impressed me
so much.  He said, "I know exactly who I am; I know where
 I'm coming from, and I know where I'm going."  How many
 people do you meet today who have that kind of self-knowledge?
 As a teacher interested in helping people improve their self-esteem,
this one sentence and Vitali's feeling of being part of a long line
 of artisans delighted me.  He added that in the computer age more
 and more people are disconnected from actual art, and how seeing
art in museums and galleries is transformative. Wouldn't it be
great if more people voiced this message?

Vitali's designs are exceptionally beautiful, but one of my
favorites is the classic take-out paper coffee cup, only this time
in silver, lined in gold.

Watching the video I can easily understand why Vitali won this
prestigious award.  His work and his story are inspiring, so if
you get the chance -- check him out. 

Have a being-inspired-by-magnificent-art day."

Another sketch

Journal Sketch

(from today, Toronto)

marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

Painting all day again.  But I started the day with three journal
sketches.  Yes this was a good day.  I got three sketches done,
then worked on my painting.  Slow, slow, but happy progress.

It was a beautiful day -- the last day of summer.  And on my
breaks I was out in our garden admiring the tall, white, fall
blooming anemones and the sweet circle garden of alternating
white and red large impatiens flowers around our cherry tree. 
Lovely and inspiring.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Have a loving your life day. 

To the market this weekend

Pegann's flowers
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

This painting from years ago made me happy today when I
found it because I’m looking forward to going to the Brick Works
market again this weekend. Pegann no longer goes to the market
to sell her flowers, and I miss her.

It will be the last summer day at the market. It will be good to see
the farmer.

Have a loving your life day

Newer sketches

Journal Sketch
(from today, Toronto)
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2023

Journal Sketch
marker on journal paper
September 7, Fredericton
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2023

I'm still working on a complicated painting, and so admire friends
like Georgia Fullerton who take on large projects.  So today
I will show you two of the kinds of sketches that start my day,
since I asked myself to do three drawings a day, on my three
morning journal pages.

Of course I don't get three done, or even write in my journal
every day, but I find that the rest of my day goes better
if I do.  What things do you do to begin your artistic day,
that work to make you happy?

Have a loving your life day.

Sandra Martin

sketch, 
pencil on paper
6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2004

Today I‘ve been busy painting. I’m in the figuring it out stage,
and I’m happy with the work so far, but there’s nothing to
show you. I’ve been listening to podcasts on Alyson Stanfield’s
Art Biz site while I painted, and I highly recommend them. 
They are so inspiring.

For the past month I’ve been travelling most of the time,
so I’ve been sketching every chance I get. I was going to show
you a couple of my current sketches, and then I came upon this
drawing I like of the writer, Sandra Martin, from when I was painting
her portrait in 2004. So I hope you like it as much as I do.  Sandra Martin
is an amazing writer, and wonderful person.

Have a loving you life day. 

The garden welcomes us

 

Sketch
Anemones
marker on
watercolour paper
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2023

Hi everyone,We are back in Toronto, and had today to settle in
before the work begins. Our garden is amazing, and I’m so grateful
to Christy for taking such good care of it. The fall blooming anemones
are soooo beautiful. I picked some, brought them in, and did this
drawing. Such a treat.

Wishing you a happy end of summer. 

Have a loving your life day!

Home again

The happiest view 

Acrylic on canvas

36 x 60 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017
(We saw so many wonderful
views, I can feel new work
planning itself.  Give me time!)

We just got in the door in Toronto about an hour ago.  Emptied the car,
and now we two weary travellers are going to bed.  We've
travelled 5,350 kilometers out to Pugwash, Nova Scotia and back.
So tonight's message will be short.  We had a wonderful time,
and are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us along
the way, who took care of the animals and the house, who cleaned
up and closed down the school house.  To our friends who had us over
for coffee, and for dinner, and to the family who greeted us
in Ottawa, our last stop.

Have a loving your life day.

This is what I saw

Yellow fields
Acrylic ink and pencil
on watercolour paper
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2022 

This is what I saw today, and I took so many pictures as we drove by
the beautiful farms along the St. Lawrence river in Quebec, so when
I get home and finish some projects you can expect more paintings
like this one.  

I had a wonderful conversation with my brother and sister-in-law
in Chelsea tonight. And Lina, my sister-in-law and I talked

about how much we love the look of the these farm fields as we
drive by. Canada is a beautiful country.

Have. loving your life day.

This is what I'll miss

Summer clouds Wallace Bridge

Acrylic on canvas

40 x 40 inches

 Barbara Muir © 2014
SOLD ♥ 

Of course I will miss our dear friends in Nova Scotia. And I'll 
miss the landscapes, and clouds that are unique to that province.
Today we have taken a long, long drive, and are in Quebec City.
It is late, and we've gone for a small beautiful walk. 

So for today on the trip home, this is it.  I know I've shown
you this painting before.  We had a super time in Nova Scotia,
and have made new, wonderful friends along the way.

Have a loving your life day.

Looking forward to the garden

\

Holding our heads high 

Watercolour on Arches 

watercolour paper

6 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012

It has been such a treat being in the Maritimes and
seeing our friends here.  I am sad to leave, and we
will miss our school house, and our friends who are
so kind to us.

I am trying to stay positive, and one thing I'm
really looking forward to about being home is
our garden.  As we are often away for part of
the summer months, a lot of the best flowers
in the garden come out late in the season.  This
year that will be the nasturtiums, which were hard
to find, and took awhile to get going.  

I know when I get home they will be ready for
picking, and painting.

Have a loving your life day.

I'm on holiday -- my thoughts from 10 years ago on this day

Detail Untitled Painting (Work in Progress)

Big reveal on Monday

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2013

Ten years ago in one of the saddest autumns of my life -- our
lovely dog died, and then my mother died -- I was working on
one of my favourite paintings. As I'm on holiday this week, I
thought I'd look at what I was doing 10 years ago. And I was happy
to find this post, which I'm delighted to share with you again.

"The father in this picture embodies what women would
like in a mate for a family.  He is clearly a warm and
loving Dad, and one of the reasons for his family's
exuberance.  He's a fun Dad too, and that will be
clear when I show you the whole painting on Monday.

I'm painting a lot right now for the deadlines that arrive
all fast and furious with the fall. One of the photographs
on our bulletin board of family photos struck me as I
walked by today.  Steven is cuddling our older
son Christopher when he was about four or five.
Both of them look so beautiful, and the affection
between them tugged at my heartstrings all over
again.

My job with a portrait is to make those moments
vivid, so the viewer can feel the energy that was
there at the time.  

To all my blog friends, I apologize for not commenting
this week.  I promise to catch up as soon as I can.

Have a loving-the-children-in-your-life day."

A beautiful rainy and cool day

McIntosh Apples
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

This painting of McIntosh apples came up as I was scrolling
through my blog, and I love it. I painted it years ago.  It seems
right tonight after we were driving down country roads today,
seeing apple orchards full of ripe apples everywhere we went.

I hope you are having a wonderful day loving everything
you see.  As my artist friend in Bear River would say, if
not -- move to Nova Scotia.  For us this brief visit is a
complete treat.  And this painting makes me want to
go and buy some of my favourite apples.

Have a loving your life day.

Missing my father on September 11

My father with me
and my son Christopher
the year my father died.
My Dad really loved Christopher.

Today we are making the long journey from Bear River to our 
school house in Wallace, Nova Scotia.  It is very beautiful here,
and we loved seeing our artist friends last night.  September 11
is a sad day for many North Americans. I am posting a 
blog post I did in 2019 about its meaning for me.  Hug the ones
you love.

"Half of my family lives in the United States.  Some have
dual citizenship, some are Canadian and live there.
So September 11, which means so much to Americans,
resonates with me. Also New York City is one of my
favourite cities in the world, and I can't help thinking
about the horror, and lasting impact of that day, every
time I show my work there.

But even more heartfelt to me is the fact that my father,
who I loved so much died before 9/11 on September 11.
My father died of lung cancer, and was way too young
to go.  He'd been a smoker, and was exposed to dangerous
levels of radiation when he was in the navy as a very
young man.

So the day is a day of double loss, and double sadness.
I do hope that we figure out how to give peace a chance,
and that we discover a cure for cancer.

I miss you Daddy.  You gave me my talent in painting,
and in writing.  I miss your humour, your warmth,
your kindness, I know I'll always have your love, and
you mine."

Have a loving your life day.

The amazing art of Flora Doehler

Floral Awakening 

Acrylic on Canvas 

40″ x 30″ 

Flora Doehler ©  2018 

(No one paints flowers

like Flora.  Her flowers

leap off the canvas and feel

like you are right there with them.

The joy and passion she feels

for the natural world is such

a pleasure to see, and her use

of colour is so inspiring to me.) 

If you are ever in Bear River, you have got to check out
Flora Doehler's work.  She is a superb artist, and has
paintings in her studio, and in the art gallery in Bear River.
We made the drive to see her and her husband, Larry,
and were so happy to spend an evening with Flora,
Larry, and their son Jessie.  

So much fun. I always find Flora's work inspiring
and energizing.  Her love of flowers sings from her
work, and keeps you wanting to see more, and
more.

Have a loving your life day.

The province we love

The House on the Hill #2

Acrylic on canvas

18 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017
SOLD ♥ 
(Every time I see this house when
we're coming to our school house
in Nova Scotia I feel happy.

I fact every time I see it, I feel happy,

because it means we're almost
at Pugwash, and almost home.)

Some thoughts for today —I feel for Nova Scotia.  We are visiting

this beautiful province — a place with some of the most spectacular

landscape views I’ve seen in my life, and all is not well.

The people are wonderful, the beautiful views are abundant.  But

right at the edge of our property where there used to be a forest,

the forest has gone.  It was slammed down by a hurricane last

year. For the first time in the more than 20 years that we’ve been

coming here we can see Wallace Bay. The forest that should have

blocked our view is gone. Plus the temperature is close to 40 degrees
Celsius -- unheard of in September in this province.

Add to that that parts of the province have been dealing with fires,

and floods, and my heart goes out to the people of Nova Scotia,
and our second home.

 

A magic land with dicey Internet

Clouds dancing over Toney Bay

Acrylic on canvas

40 x 40 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014
(And this is where we are.)

We may have solved it briefly, but please know that we will
keep on trying. We have reached the exciting land of no Internet. 

This may mean that my plan to write my blog every day could be

curtailed. Or that you will see my blog on catch up.  That's more

likely.  I will still write every day, but it may not show up right

away.

Are there any advantages to the no Internet world?  Some of you might 

think yes.  But not really.  So much of our communication and pleasure
comes from connections through the Internet.

On the upside we have made the journey to Nova Scotia.  And 

tonight we saw the Milky Way so incredibly clearly standing 

on our property here, and again on a delightful walk in town.

And that is straight up magic.

Have a loving your life day.

Canada Road Trip

La  Pocatière in Quebec 
Photo
Barbara Muir ©️2023

If you've never driven across the province of Quebec, through New Brunswick
to Fredericton, you've missed one of the most beautiful scenic routes 
available.  I love it.  But today as we drove after we crossed the Quebec/
New Brunswick border, it was thunder storms, and lightning all the
way to Fredericton. Beautiful to look at, terrifying to drive in.

This is a reference trip.  I will take too many photos to bring home,
and use for inspiration for the coming year.  I hope you get
to make this journey in the warmer months.  The people along
the way are the best. Here's to my new friend Barbara, in
Edmunston!

Have a loving your life day.

The Writer's Life in the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show

The Writer's Life

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2023

This painting is also in the San Fernando Valley Arts and
Cultural Center Form and Figure Show. It's a work I love
that I revised this year.  And the painting is delighted that
it's been getting so much attention. 

I am very happy that it was accepted into this juried show.
If you haven't visited the exhibition, please hit the link
above and enjoy the fabulous art.

I myself am on the road at the moment, so this is going to
be a short piece. 

Have a loving your life day.

The Invitation in the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show

The Invitation

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © revised 2023 

As promised yesterday this is the second piece that was accepted into the 
San Fernando Valley arts and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show that
is on virtually all month.  Please hit the link and visit the exhibition to 
see some amazing art.  This is the third show this painting has been in
this year, and I am delighted that it was accepted into this exhibition.

The painting captures that wonderful moment when you open a letter
to find an invitation to something special, and you are so happy 
thinking about the event to come.  

Big thanks to my model Raylea Lambert, who is why the painting
is radiant with emotion. 

Have a loving your life day.

My Portrait of Michael Gibson in the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show

One of the best
(Michael Gibson)
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2022

If you don't know the work of portrait artist, Michael Gibson,
follow the link here to see his astounding portraits, frequently
accompanied by deeply moving poetry.  I don't know what
made me think I could paint Michael, but I wanted to honour
him for his amazing work.  And my portrait of Michael based
on a video he did about his work took me awhile to complete.

I had Michael's approval to paint it, and when it was finally 
done, and he saw my write up on it, he liked it, and if I was
doing mental somersaults of excitement that he like the work!

So I was very happy that my portrait of Michael, was one of
three paintings that were accepted into the juried Form
and Figure Show, on virtually this month managed by the
San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center.  I will write
up the other two works in other posts this week.

Happy Labour Day.

Review and renew

Coffee at the gallery

Watercolour on

watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © revised 2023

I found this watercolour still life in my files. I liked it as it
was, but it needed some work. It is always a treat when
you find older work, and can improve it. The eye glasses 
were super dull, and the hand needed a bit more definition.

The painting brought back memories of going for coffee in 
the member's lounge at the Art Gallery of Ontario. I miss 
those days. Steven and I used to love spending time there.

Have a loving your life day.  

September means a fresh start

Untitled (art group sketch)

Acrylic on canvas

14 x 18 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

For many families September means the start of school.
I will be teaching in October, but for now I’m thinking 
about one of the art traditions I’ve enjoyed so much in my life in
recent years. 

I love it when I can go to my Tuesday night art group.
My husband drops me off, I paint for and hour (actually less
counting set up, breaks and clean up.) And it makes me feel
so happy. Then my husband picks me up, and we go home and
have dinner. The sessions will resume soon. Tonight
I’m sharing one of my favourites. This guy could pose
and hold a movie quiz. Impressive!

Have a loving your life day!

Thanks for everyone's help and The Encounter Show

 

Across the Highway

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2016

This painting will be in the Encounter Show Then and Now.  It is one of
the first paintings I showed at the Heliconian Club, and is one of my 
favourites.  The painting is of the view across the highway from our
1909 #6 wooden school house in Nova Scotia.  I am very grateful

to Nova Scotia for all of the magnificent scenes that have inspired
my landscapes over the years.

Today I'm grateful to Dougal Haggart of the Heliconian Club, who 
offered to deliver my painting to the club for the upcoming show
because I won't be home when the show opens.  Please go to
the opening on Saturday, September 9 between 2 and 5 p.m.,
and enjoy some amazing art.

And I'm grateful to Amos Boratto of the Heliconian club for letting
me drop the painting off today, and to Steven van Schaik my
husband for driving me there.  I feel like I am back almost to normal.
And no I did not have COVID. I tested. So thank you everyone.

So enjoy the show. 

Have a loving art day.

Honoured to be part of the wonderful San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show

I am deeply honoured to be included in the juried San Fernando Valley Arts
and Cultural Center Form and Figure Show.  The work in this virtual exhibition
is magnificent.  Please click the link and enjoy it. I have three works in the
show, and am delighted to be part of it. 

All of my work in the show is for sale.  

I am so grateful to Carolyn Uhri for the help she gave me with applying.

Feeling a bit better

August road trip

Acrylic ink on 

watercolour paper

and pencil

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © 2022

Please be patient with me.  Whatever happened, I am
on the mend.  Last year at the end of August I showed
you this little painting, which honoured our trip
across Canada to the Maritimes.  This year that prospect
awaits us. I wish you a very happy September, and yes we 
had an amazing August.

Jens Eller
Marvellous Edibles 
at the Brick Works

last September
Photo

Barbara Muir © 2022

I'm showing you the picture, and who it went to -- Jens
Eller, the wonderful chef and farmer from Marvellous
Edibles who is at the Brick Works market on Saturday.

Wishing you a joyous and healthy day.

Decidedly under the weather

Woman with red glasses

Watercolour and marker on

watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2013

(This is me in the studio.  One of

my favourite painters in our group

Peter Adam appears in the 

portrait behind me.  I haven't
seen him in awhile, and
hope he is well.)

I don't know what I did -- maybe twisted something while
lifting something -- no idea.  But I had acute pain on my 
right side in the night, and have felt quite horrible all day.

I went on my blog looking for "under the weather", and found
this self portrait from ten years ago, that actually looks a bit 
chirpier than I'm feeling right now. Here's to a better tomorrow.
Oh and I tested, and don't have COVID. One good thing.

Have a feeling healthy day.

Let's not forget Degas

Portrait of the artist
with Evariste de Valernes

Oil on canvas

 1865 - Edgar Degas 
Degas is on the right
The painting is in the Musée D'Orsay

While I was in Paris I drew all the time. Every time we sat down
to eat, or sat on a park bench I carried a lined notebook, and a pen,
and drew fast sketches.

A very embarrassing thing happened on the plane home from Paris,
when I took the cap off  the pen I was drawing with and it exploded
blue ink over the pristine white tray I was using as a desk.  My thanks
to the flight attendant Harry (pronounced without the H) who told

me not to worry, it could be easily cleaned once the plane was
emptied.

But my point is that drawing all the time made me appreciate
portraits like this -- two friends spending time together. The painting
is both formal, and more casual.  I saw the work at the
Musée D'Orsay, and like all of Degas' work, it made me happy.

Have a loving your life day.

Monet in Paris -- always new

Blue Water Lilies
Claude Monet
Oil on canvas

1916 - 1919
in the collection at
the Musée D'Orsay, Paris, France
Photo: Barbara Muir © 2023

Having computer issues tonight, so I hope I can get the 
photo of the Monet painting I photographed at the Musée
D'Orsay.  Got it! Not in the most direct way, so if I have time
and the opportunity to edit it later, I will. 

I wondered why I'd never seen this work before at the 
Musée D'Orsay in Paris, and it was because the painting 
was donated in 2022. How exciting. Another work by 
Monet, featuring one of my favourite blue colours.

I do love the freshness and spontaneity of Monet, even
though he would redo work again and again. So seeing
this was a thrill.

Have a loving your life day.

A joyous time in Paris

Steven and I on the

 Pont Neuf -- 

very close to our hotel, 

with our new friend Sela Dara.

In the far distance you

can see the Eiffel Tower.

We were in Paris from August 20, until August 26, and we
had an amazing time.  We visited Paris last October because
I was in the Carousel du Louvre exposition.  And we had
so much fun then that we wanted to go back.  We are still
unusual in Paris -- masked whenever crowds were around,
except when we were eating.

The picture today is of me and Steven with our new friend
Selah Dara, who goes by Dara most of the time.  He is a 
server at the Khao Thai restaurant. He is extremely kind
and funny, and we three became friends even though Steven
and I struggle with French, and Dara doesn't speak English.

Have a loving your life day.