Happy Victoria Day

 Fireworks

display in the schoolyard

Photo

Barbara Muir ©

A short one tonight.  Steven and I went out to the lake today
after a wonderful meeting with a client.  Then tonight
we drove around trying to find fireworks.  It's Firecracker
Day, or Queen Victoria's birthday.  

We both love firecrackers, but hadn't had dinner when we
headed out.  Our local park had some, and someone
just north of the park was creating a gorgeous display.
But when we came home some kids were letting off the 
most beautiful firecrackers in the schoolyard across the
street.

Just amazing, and although it was well after 10 p.m. on
a school night, a small crowd had gathered across the 
schoolyard.  We were on our own with a woman named
Harriet, who also loves fireworks, and we were very
happy.  The display was amazing, delightful and
exciting.

Have a loving your life day.

Two more reasons we love Paris

Robel and Dara 

Photo

2024

(These two work at the restaurant

where we eat most nights when

we're in Paris.  The food

is fabulous, but the main

reason we eat there is that these

guys are our friends.  And we can't 

wait to see them again. They are

kind, and very funny, and make

every evening that we spend

there a joy.)

An artist I met in Paris said that one of the most wonderful things about
the city is that you make new friends all the time, and that has been
true for us. I won't say the name of the restaurant where these two work,
in case it gets them in trouble (for being friendly?), you never know.

If you haven't been to Paris, I hope you get there soon.  Not during the
Olympics, it will be insane, but any other time. Perfect.

Have a loving your life day. 

Paris for Shaniece

First stop Paris

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012
(available)

(When I painted this painting I was
thinking about encouraging Shaniece
to go to Paris.  I hadn't exhibited
in Paris yet -- my first time
showing in the Carousel du Louvre was in
2015. But in a way the work was telling
the world that -- hey! I love Paris,
and since I painted this piece, I've visited Paris
a number of times, and exhibited in
the Louvre three times! Of course I loved
 it every time. Right now there's a 6 hour
 time difference between Toronto and Paris.
When you go there it's worth every
 minute of that difference.)

It's Saturday night, and I am super tired.  It was a beautiful day today, and
I had a wonderful, very busy day.  I discovered this blog from awhile
back that says it all for me.  So please enjoy the reposting.

"My mind today is consumed with thoughts of Paris.  That
happens.  Have you ever been there? Well the place gets
into your psyche, and going once makes you want to
return.  And so on.  It is somewhat addictive -- beautiful
buildings, wonderful art, delicious food -- kind, brilliant
people. 

This painting seems right today.  We have a quite neglected
sculpture of the Eiffel tower on our front lawn. We refreshed
the lights the other day, but the tower is tilting a bit. The
neighbours are fond of it so we must fix it.

Have a loving your life day. 

Memories of Paris -- an afternoon with Sophie and Jean Philippe

Sophie Ghuzel, Jean Philippe and me
Photo
Steven van Schaik © 2024

We have been lucky to visit Paris 3 times in the past two years.
And even luckier to make friends along the way.  Jean Philippe
Grelaud manages a lovely art store near the hotel where we 
stay in Paris -- Maison de Haute Couleur Charvin. He is a
wonderful artist, and a treat to visit in the store, even when we're
just walking by to the restaurants we go to around the corner from
the hotel.

This past visit he asked us to come for aperitifs with him
and his wife Sophie Ghuzel.  Sophie is also an artist, and we had
so much fun visiting them, seeing their art, enjoying a
sweet wine, delicious pastries, and glazed strawberries.
Steven and I stumbled along in our awkward French, and
still had riveting conversations, lots of laughs and so much
fun.

Thank you Jean Philippe and Sophie.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to my friend Miranda

Chu Okoli's photo of
Rolf Leemeijer, Miranda Brouwers,
Me and Chu at the gala dinner for the
2015 Florence Biennale
Chu Okoli © 2015

Miranda and I, and her husband Rolf, and the artist Chu Okoli met at the 2015 Florence
Biennale in Florence, Italy.  It was such a wonderful time, and all of us are still 
connected.  Miranda and I started the Happy People Group at the Florence 
Biennale to keep the artists' spirits up during the long days of sitting the

10 day show.  And Miranda and I have been close friends ever since,
even though she lives in Lage Zwalue, The Netherlands, and I live in
Toronto, Canada.  

We talk once a week, almost every week, and are always happy about the
conversation. Happiest of birthdays to my dear friend.  And love to all of
the family.

Have a loving your life day. 

Still dreaming of Paris

View of the Seine in Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Paris doesn't leave my brain very easily.  I love my neighbourhood in 
Toronto, which is spectacular right now with lilac trees in bloom 
everywhere in every range of mauve, purple and of course white.
Fantastic.  But Paris is a whole different experience, and our last
visit was one I cherish. (We got home just over a week ago.)

At night I'm actually dreaming that I'm there, and struggling to speak
French in my sleep! That's pretty funny, and also it makes me
happy when I wake up, and remember dreaming of sitting in
cafés, or laughing with the friends who work in the restaurants
where we eat.

I'm so grateful to everyone we met there.  People were so kind and
funny.  And if you know me, you know that I really enjoy both
kindness and humour.

Have a loving your life day.

Wonderful time with my art group

Emily
Art group sketch

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

As usual I had an hour tonight -- from drop off to pick up
in the parking lot -- to paint with my art group.  So with
set up, and clean up, plus a 10 minute break, I maybe had 40 
minutes to get this sketch done.

Emily was a great model.  And it was fun to be back with
the great artists in the group again. 

So here it is.  

Have a loving your life day.

The fun of reworking

At the Boat Launch 

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2016 - 2017

If you're not already a devoted fan of Mitchell Johnson,

and you're an artist -- it would definitely help your 
ability to allow yourself to revise your work if you 
did look up Johnson's work.  He does delightful videos
where he comes up to one of his paintings on a wall
(sometimes a framed painting), and just starts painting.

The painting I'm showing you today wasn't working for me,
and I've looked at it, and changed this and that on and off
this year.  Today I like it, so I'll share it in its current evolution.

So much fun.  And also one of my favourite places in

the world -- Nova Scotia

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Mother's Day

Spring Break Shoreline

Acrylic on Canvas

30 x 30 inches 

Barbara Muir © 

Thank you to my family for an amazing Mother's Day weekend.
Thank you Christopher and Sam for being my children, thank you
Megan and Emily for being my daughters #1, thank you Alice, 
Madeleine and James for making my Saturday over the top Happy.

Thank you family.  You so rock!

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Mother's Day weekend

The Writer's Life

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2023

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there.
I feel extremely blessed to have two delightful sons, two
lovely, kind daughters-in-law, two adorable granddaughters,
and a sweet grandson in my family.  Mother's Day is wonderful
for me every day of the year.

And to my own mother who's been gone now for eleven
years -- I love you and miss you Mommy.  You are with me
every day in my thoughts.

This is one of my favourite paintings.  I just love how
the painting captures the mother's love and devotion to
her baby son, and her persistence -- to keep on working
while keeping the baby happy.  The woman in the painting
is a very successful novelist.

Have a very Happy Mother's Day

Tree wonder in Toronto

My friend's tree
(I'm not a gardener so
I don't know what type
of tree it is.)
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

I thought I'd better write you while I'm still riding high on an
unexpected feeling of overwhelming happiness.  The cause?
Maybe the kindness of friends and family, good news about
our family member post surgery, and the incredible beauty of
my neighbourhood at the moment with flowering trees everywhere.

I worked on a painting that's been bugging me today, took some
risks, dialed them back.  Not quite ready to show you yet.  Watching
Mitchell Johnson paint, makes me feel positive about my changes.
He is amazing. If you haven't seen his work, seek it out.

Today I'm showing you one of the delights of my day when a 
friend invited me to take a break sitting under her beautiful
trees in bloom.  

Have a loving your life day. 

The Paris joy continues

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

Barbara Muir © 2024 

I felt so happy today I was afraid I'd be intolerable to other people.
It was a spectacularly beautiful day.  I went through my Paris 
photos picking images for future reference, and my wonderful
printer printed large, good copies for me.  Then looking at them
was a bit like the Paris Immersive I've been trying to create with
my imagination when I go to sleep at night. Wow it was so 
wonderful being in Paris.

So the joy continues.  I did this fast sketch trying to capture the look
of happiness on my face.  Close.  I look way more serious than I feel.
Hard to concentrate, pose, and replicate over the top happiness.

More art tomorrow.

Have a loving your life day.

What do you know. It's Iris Day

Irises celebrate
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2022

Today, May 8, is Iris Day.  Yes! Okay it's in Brussels, but if you love
Irises as much as I do, you will be happy to join in.  The recommendation --
go out and pick some Irises, or buy some and enjoy their beauty at
their best time of year.  In our garden they come out in August, but in
Paris they were in the Tuileries Gardens last week.

I spent the day in the hospital today as an advocate for a family member
going through surgery.  The people there were incredibly kind, and
although it was a long, long wait, I was pleasantly surprised that the people I
met made it fun.  The news at the end of the day was good for our
family member, and everyone went home happy.

So Happy Iris Day.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to my brother one day late

Thinking

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 36 inches

Barbara Muir ©

We got home from Paris late last night, have had a wonderful day here

on one of the most beautiful spring days in Toronto (Toronto does spring
well), but we have another big day tomorrow, and I am super tired.
I didn't get a chance to post this Happy Birthday message yesterday to
my brother, and I found a post from last year that says it all perfectly.

"I love this painting of my brother -- and no he doesn't look like this

now.  (As a freelance writer the long hair had to go.) But the painting
(which he owns) is one he posed for.  I like the exuberance of my

brushstrokes in this.  

In between sittings I'm sure we were drinking strong coffee,
laughing our heads off, and perhaps arguing -- something we do
very well, because we can switch the argument on and off at a 
moment's notice, and we still love one another like very good

friends."

Happy Birthday Andrew.  

Have loving your life day.

We leave Paris today

Steven and me on our last
day in Paris
(I don't know what the lady
behind us is doing.)
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024
We look very tired and happy.

To say we are sad to leave is an understatement. We've had such an 
amazing time here.  I know I've said that too many times, but I can't say
it enough. Please, if you get the opportunity, visit Paris.  

So we've packed up and are probably on the plane, flying over the ocean
watching Haute Potentiel Intellectuel with subtitles.  We love that show.
You can't get it with subtitles anywhere but on the plane.  True.  So
we'll be watching and drinking champagne. Air France is quite wonderful.

It will also be good to be home.  I miss my family and friends in Toronto,
and my cats and our dog. And our house.  And our street and our city.

And if we can, we'll come back as soon as possible

Love you Paris. 

Have a loving your life day.

Our last night in Paris

Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

What an incredible time we've had -- so much fun, meeting so
many wonderful people.  Thank you to Paris, and to our friends
here, for making this a trip to remember.  It was wonderful.

We will miss everybody, and everything about Paris.  Thank
you.

Have a loving your life day.

Another beautiful day in Paris

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Today we visited artist friends and they served us a beautiful wine, and
delicious pastries.  We had such animated discussions about everything
that's going on in the world -- a challenge for us, they were speaking
very fast intelligent french -- and so much fun.

The weather was perfect -- a little bit cool, and sunny with spectacular
clouds.  The whole city seemed happy.

Have a loving your life day

Une Journée à Paris (a day in Paris)

 

Paris today
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

A man named Sascha was selling
little easels and photos on a 
bridge near the Notre Dame cathedral.

I put my card on one of the easels
and he let me take a picture.

Then I gave him the card, and
he gave me an easel. So sweet.
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Notre Dame Cathedral under construction
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

What a lovely day it was in Paris today.  The sun was out, the clouds were
magnificent against a pure blue sky.  The people we meet here are so kind.
This morning in the breakfast room in our hotel the women who run the
room had purchased two different brands of oatmeal for me, because I
said I wanted some.  I explained to them that it had to be cooked, and they
got out a big pot and we cooked my oatmeal together laughing.
So sweet.

It was the same all day -- everyone we talked to was super kind.  So it
was another wonderful day in one of our favourite cities.  I hope you had 
a good day wherever you are.  I sketched a bit in the restaurant at lunch,
and in a different restaurant at dinner, and it was so much fun.

Have a loving your life day.

The Musée D'Orsay

Le Repas, dit aussi Les Bananes

Huile sur papier marouflé sur toile

Paul Gaugin © 1891

In the Musée D'Orsay, Paris, France

(Forgive my bad photo)

Visiting the museums here is a challenge because I have ripped knees,
so I can walk, but not stand for any length of time, without pain.  Today.
because of the rain, late in the day the line clipped along, we got in, and took
the elevator to the fifth floor to see our favourites.

Some were gone, maybe in other exhibitions in preparation for the Olympics. 
We don't know.  But that meant that there were paintings there that we'd never
seen before.

How exciting.  I'll share some.

Les Alyscamps
Huile sur toile
Paul Gaugin © 1888

In the Musée D'Orsay, Paris, France
(Forgive my bad photo)

Champs de tulipes en Hollande
Huile sur toile
Claude Monet © 1886
In the Musée D'Orsay, Paris, France
(Forgive my photo)

Have a loving your life day.

More fabulous art in Paris

Mériter son Ciel
Oil on canvas
 47.24 x 80.31 inches 

Anais Prouzet © 2023
(bad photo by me --
Barbara Muir)

Yesterday Steven and I went walking as has been our source of 
enjoyment here in Paris. Walking over to the Luxembourg Gardens
we passed a wonderful gallery, Galerie Olivier Waltman, with a kind
and funny manager, Ralph, which he said to pronounce with an H like Hralph.

The paintings and drawings in the gallery were astounding -- highly
emotive, and high realism.  We were oohing and awing and met the
artist, Anais Prouzet who was just leaving for another engagement.  Her
series is called  You breathe, I hear you on the other side of the earth.

The exhibition was stunning, and we left feeling so lucky to have
been here to see it.

More from Paris tomorrow.

Have a loving your life day.

More excitement from yesterday

 

Pete Sinjin and me beside the river

Seine in Paris yesterday. It was so

wonderful to meet him, and that we

already had a connection. Check out his work.

It's amazing.

Photo

Steven van Schaik © 2024

About six months ago there was a piece on Instagram about a critic
who was not kind to Pete Sinjin.  I was one of many people who wrote
and said that the writer was ridiculous because Pete Sinjin's work is 
wonderful.

Yesterday walking along the Seine in Paris with my husband I saw a 
painter doing that measuring thing with his paintbrush, that I don't know
how to do, and don't do, and I started to laugh.  Then the painter and
I started talking, he told me his name, and I told him that I had joined
the discussion back then, and that I loved this work.  He insisted on a 
picture, so my husband took this sweet photo.

Thank you for the discussion and the laughs Pete.

Have a loving your life day.

An incredible day in Paris

Samhah and Inès creating friendship
bracelets for the Paris Taylor Swift concert
in the Carrousel Garden, Paris France
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Steven and I walked to the Musee de l'Orangerie and discovered we were unlikely
to get in even if we stood in line, walking back through the Tuileries gardens
we encoutered some young women making friendship bracelets that they will
share at Taylor Swift's concert in Paris in May because the bracelets are mentioned
in one of Taylor's songs. 

So these young womenwill give the bracelets away, and other people at the concert
will give them theirs. So sweet.

I have more to tell tomorrow because it was quite the artistic day, but it's late, we've
been walking all day, and it will all be told. 

Wait for it!

Have a loving your life day. 

The joy of art

Laura, sketch
Journal Sketch
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

The other day we had a five hour wait at an airport.  I was dreading it, but
it turned out to be so much fun.  People came and sat down at the table
where Steven and I were having a late lunch.  First we met a mother and
daughter, who were going to Europe, and then a couple of friends going to
Morocco.  While I sat there I started sketching a woman across the aisle
from me. 

It wasn't a great drawing, but I decided to show it to her for fun, and ended
up giving it to her. She really liked it, which was sweet, and she was going 
to send it to her mother.

So much fun from one quick sketch.

The woman--Laura-- lives in Toronto, so maybe one day I'll do her 
portrait properly.

Have a loving your life day.

Here. And feeling right at home

View of the Seine 

© Barbara Muir 2015 

A quick one tonight too.  After sleeping most of the day we went to eat
at our favourite restaurant.  We know the two men who were working there
tonight, and were so glad to see them.  They are friends, and
immediately gave us glasses of champagne.  Yes it's raining.  And
everyone is walking around happily on a Saturday night with umbrellas,

laughing when they have to pass one another on the narrow sidewalks.

We are in heaven.  Thank you Dara and Robelle.  It was lovely meeting
you Brigitte and Claude.

More to come.

Have a loving your life day.

A short one

 

Paris Anemones

Watercolour

7 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

A short one today because we are basically in transit for the whole day. 24 hours.

A fairly wonderful 24 hours meeting superb people, flying across the ocean,

and once again meeting wonderful people.

Wishing you a very happy weekend.

Have a loving your life day.

Thank you to everyone who is wonderful.

Some of the important women

in my life that I've

painted and drawn. 

Plus a portrait of

my mother by Chris Muir

© Barbara Muir

(To do this properly I need 100
more of these at least. Thank
you everyone!)  

A crazy busy day, and I just feel like thanking everyone who
has been helping me get things done. I'm using a photo of some
of the important women in my life, and there are so many men
who help make our lives great.  Thank you to everyone.

Thank you for your support

Thank you for your kindness

Thank you for this community

Thank you for the inspiration

Thank you for your determination 
to keep on making art

Thank you for all that I've learned from you

Thank you for your humour

Thank you for your successes

Thank you for your beautiful and 
magnificent art

Thank you!

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Happy Monthaversary

Part of the invitation. 

This is the Monthaversary of our wedding day, a very happy memory.
I went to the bank today, and was talking to one of the managers, who
is trying to figure out what to do about getting married to his girlfriend.
It seemed an appropriate topic.  And it has been a beautiful day.

Tonight I'm showing you part of an invitation we made for our 10th
wedding anniversary party that we had in the backyard of our semi-
detached house.  I think we might have line danced, which seems so
bizarre now.  Somebody DJ'd the night, and it was fun!

A friend found this in the endless files she's sorting through trying to
move. 

Happy Monthaversary Steven.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to Hugo!

Left to right Marnix, Rolf Leemeijer, Miranda Brouwers, Hugo and me.

in front of my painting Dream Selfie -- Wonder Water Image #7
Photo
Steven van Schaik © 2016

Today is Hugo Leemeijer's, birthday, a young man who I met when
Steven and I were in Paris in 2016. Miranda Brouwers, and I were both showing
in the Carrousel du Louvre show in the Louvre. We met Hugo, his brother Marnix,
and their father, Miranda's husband, Rolf.  We had so much fun. Happy Birthday
Hugo. I hope you have a wonderful day, and a terrific year.  We are all wishing
  you a super time.

I'm thinking of Miranda and her family today. One of the things I love about
my blog, and social media is the ability to keep in touch with friends and
family around the world.

As I said in a former blog, "my friendship with Miranda is one of the loveliest
relationships in my life. We talk on the phone across the great Atlantic Ocean
once a week whenever possible, and always enjoy one another. (She's in The
Netherlands, and I'm here in Toronto, Canada.)"

We'd love to see the whole family again sometime.  It was great to get together
with Miranda and Rolf in Paris last summer. 

Happy Birthday Hugo!

Earth Day

 Bluebird (family Musicapidae)
on a coffee cup
Bird Study #1
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
© Barbara Muir

What I have to do to write this blog sometimes is strange.  So today I'm writing the copy,
then I'll cut and paste the bird and the caption, and put it in above the post.  Funny.

I hope you had a beautiful Earth Day.  We did.  Plus the sunset was magical, and the moon
is exquisite. Nature is constantly reminding us about why she matters.  So as I say every
Earth Day, let's stop the wars, and get more environmentally intelligent vehicles.  In
Ontario if you're driving an electric car it isn't better for the environment because our
electricity comes from nuclear power, the most toxic and perpetually harmful method of
creating energy possible.  But the industry has infinite political support, which is

sad.

Enough.  I love the planet.  I don't have the answers.  But let's work on them together
for this guy, and for us and our children.

Have a loving the planet day.

 

A beautiful day in the country

 

Country view

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2024

We spent the afternoon visiting relatives in the country.  What a pleasure.  The
views over the river were amazing, and the conversations a complete
delight.

Tonight we've just enjoyed a walk through ever changing weather -- clear
skies, some snow, a bit of rain, clear skies, crisp cold, and all of it
beautiful.  I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday night.

Have a loving your life day.

We miss you Patti-Anne

Patti-Anne

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir © 

One of the powerful truths about portraits is that they make the person feel present
when you look at them, I wish Patti-Anne was still with us, she died way too young,
and if her doctor had been more knowledgeable, it probably wouldn't have happened.

I'm combining some blog posts about Patti-Anne and the painting today.
Patti-Anne died a year ago of an aneurysm.  She'd been experiencing severe 
headaches for more than a week.  The doctor gave her Tylenol on her first visit,
and when she went back a week later still with severe headaches, the doctor
prescribed an antibiotic. Here is the post I wrote last year slightly edited.

"I painted this portrait of Patti-Anne Fitzpatrick before I started my blog,
16 years ago, and before I understood that I needed good quality photos
of my work.  Patti-Anne died yesterday when she was taken off life
supports after suffering a severe aneurysm.  She is profoundly missed.

I thought I'd share this blog post I wrote about her in 2008.  I had so much
fun painting her portrait, as this was long before COVID and she sat
and posed for me in my studio.

"Patti-Anne, my former boss Frank's wife, is what Frank would
 describe as, "beyond gorgeous," and a very funny woman.
One of her favourite expressions is,"too funny!" as she cracks up
watching a comedy skit. She is also a pro golfer, so when Frank
asked me to paint her, I knew I had to honour her love of the
outdoors.

Of course she posed in my studio, but I placed her on my back
porch, with a sunny, abstract floral background. I love the energy
in the painting -- her athletic strength and femininity coming through,
and the clear expression of the sparkling sense of humour I enjoyed
so much while she sat for the portrait."

Goodbye Patti-Anne, we miss everything about you." 

A big day in our family

Journal Sketch 

Marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

Yesterday our youngest son, a happily married man had his last day
on his job here.  He and his wife are moving out of Toronto, to
another town, and they will be deeply missed by all of us in the
rest of the family.  We are so proud of them.  Just when I was feeling
all sentimental about missing Sam, I found this journal drawing of him when 
he was a young boy dressing up as a king for Halloween.  It made
me very nostalgic.  But now new opportunities are opening up,

and I'm sure we'll all have fun when we visit and get together.

Have a loving your life day.

What matters

The wonder of tulips

iPad drawing

8 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

Here's what matters -- love, joy, kindness, fun, exuberance, empathy, humour
care.  The list is long.  This drawing of tulips is far from perfect, but for me
today it captures the luminous joy these flowers exude.  On a walk passing by tulips, 
the joy they transmit is immediate! Yes!

Bring them inside and put them in a vase, or jug, and that pleasure is available
to you every time you enter the room, or sit down and have a coffee, drinking in the
delight of those beauties. So if you can, get yourself some tulips today and
enjoy them.

Have a loving your life day. 

Wishing my sister the best day!

The Blue Sweater
acrylic on canvas
24" x 36"

© Barbara Muir  

My blog post from last year on this day is perfect for my current
feelings.

"There is one main thing on my mind today -- it is my sweet
sister Sally's birthday.  She is one of the kindest, most 
supportive, funniest people I know in the world.  And
I think she was probably the biggest factor in my learning
to only share my life with kind people.  

So I thank you Sally, and wish you the best Birthday ever.
You more than deserve a super day.  And in Victoria, B.C.
with the beautiful gardens there, I hope you will enjoy every
minute. 

The painting is based on a sulky photo my father took
of Sally when she was a teenager.  I love the expression.
And my sister is the farthest thing from sulky.  

Have a celebrating your life day."

Every day is World Art Day

Me with my painting Dream Selfie
at the Carousel du Louvre show in
the Louvre museum in Paris in 2016

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2016

(Photo by Steven van Schaik)

Yesterday, like most days in my house, was a busy day.  I read about World Art Day,
and in my task-filled day missed it.  But I'm here to say that if you're an artist --
every day is World Art Day.  How lucky I feel to have artist friends around the 
world, and to have talked to one of my dear artist friends in Europe this morning
as I drank my morning coffee here in Toronto.

I feel so lucky to have shown my work in New York City, in California, in the 
Netherlands, Paris, and Florence.  What an inspiration to show in the creative
centers of the world.  

Have a loving your life day

The love of drawing makes sense

Journal Sketch 

Marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

(This one is cropped awkwardly 

because the journal writing

overlapped the drawing. I

still like it.)

If you're an artist, it makes absolute sense to draw as much as you can.
Even talking to abstract painters at a recent show, I learned they may
begin by drawing shapes.  In trying to capture portraits, drawing as
much as possible makes our eyes get more precise, and that's so
great.

Funnily enough drawing like driving depends on following what our
eyes are seeing.  In all higher level drawing courses, you begin by
not looking down at the page when you draw.  Scary yes.  But it trains
the eye to see, and the hand to follow.  

Last year I started journal drawing -- every day for awhile, and as 
often as possible now.  Those quick sketches, sometimes in the morning
before my second coffee, really help me when I start on other projects.
I wanted to remind myself of that.  

The portrait today is a quick sketch I did in my journal about six months
ago.

Have a loving your life day.

10 more reasons to be happy

Market pansies in a cream jug
Acrylic ink and marker
on watercolour paper
5.5 x 8.5 inches
Barbara Muir © 2023

It was a gorgeous day today and I’ve got my 10,000 steps! So I thought why not give you another set of 10 reasons to be happy.

1. We sat in the backyard with family members who are planning to leave town and had a lovely visit.

2. I found this pansy sketch on my blog and thought this would be perfect for tonight’s blog.

3.  It isn’t my turn to make dinner and I can hear Steven downstairs in the kitchen chopping vegetables for what I know will be a delicious meal.

4. I got to play ball with my dog Sally in the space between ours, and our neighbour's house. Sally loved it and got all the dogs in the neighbourhood excited with her barking.

5,  When we went to the café, where we order wraps for lunch yesterday, one of the servers yelled out "Artist!" when she saw me. That was sweet.  I showed her my most recent painting.

6. Steven and I went on a long walk today just at sundown, and all the trees are at the very beginning of coming into bud.

7. This is one of my favourite times of the year. People's gardens are full of daffodils, birds are singing everywhere, and little children are out playing just loving the perfect new spring weather.

8.  We saw the youngest members of our family yesterday, and that is always joyous and fun.

9. Our favourite farmer at the farmers' market gave me a sweet  bunch of tiny daffodils yesterday,
 and gave another bunch to my daughter-in-law.

10. I’m finishing a painting tomorrow. I’m planning to start a new one, and that will be an exciting beginning to a wonderful week.

Have a loving your life day.

For inspiration -- thank you to the farmers

Daffodils from the farm
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Spring is here -- intense rain, then sun with wind, and cold again.
We went to the farmers' market today at the Brick Works, and one way
you know that spring has arrived is that the farmers we buy from--
Marvellous Edibles Farm -- brought flowers again! So beautiful.

They call them Narcissus, we call them daffodils.  Here I have
photographed them sitting on our back porch in the sun, enjoying
the day, like everyone else. Happy spring! 

Have a loving your life day.

Truth in a former post

Pansies prepping for the parade
Watercolour, acrylic ink, and
black marker on Strathmore 
mixed media paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2019

I like this post.  So I thought I'd share it again. Busy day today
visting an artist friend who basically launched me into exhibiting.

"There are addictions that are easy to explain -- coffee,
alcohol, dope -- but art is a whole different story.

How do you explain it?  Something hit you over the
head with a passion to paint and draw, and you
can't ditch it.  I know almost no one who has
successfully quit drawing and painting.

The desire runs deep.  Even when it doesn't work,
even when we've got no time for it, even when
we need a break.  Even if we don't paint, or draw,
or sculpt, or take photos or one other arty thing --
it is there.  Planted deep in our skulls, brains,
hearts, probably in our blood cells.  This incredible
urge to make something."

True.  So if this is you I get you.

Have a loving your life day.