The 2025th thing I learned in 2025

First stop Paris

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 

Sorry for the delay on this one.  I've had a few computer issues
and I'm in the midst of hosting an absolutely wonderful New Year's
Eve party. Happy New Year! This painting is right for tonight, because
one of my big dreams for 2026 is to visit Paris. 

Here's something I wrote a few years ago that seems especially relevant now.

"Believing leads to change

The heart of all creativity in part is a belief that it can happen. I can
make that drawing, you can write that book, we can solve this hard
scientific, and behavioural problem of the viruses.  And we can solve
climate change, if we believe we can change our ways, and take 
action to do it, and follow through. Let's join forces in a kind and
loving way to effect the change that needs to happen in 2026.
I believe we can."

Without belief there is no action, and we need to believe that the
grim wars happening now can end, and we can focus on living
in peace.

Thank you again for all of your kindness and support.  You
make me happy.

Have a loving your life day!

Thank you for being my greatest supporters, friends and teachers -- Happy New Year!

 Golden Light

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2025

We are working on getting ready to host a New Year's Eve party,

so I was delighted to find a post from a couple of year's ago

that completely captures my current thinking. Here it is --

edited for the moment.

"In recent years here's the gist of what I wrote on December 30th.
Howard Wolinksy persuaded me to write about the 2018 things I
learned in 2018, and I've been trying to do that at the end of each
year when I remember. 

This year life continued to be miraculous in at least 2025 ways.  
When I taught a Positive Psychology course at a community college

for 10 years, in the time management section of the course
I learned that there are 168 hours in a week.  I sleep 7 hours a
night - times 7, that means for 49 hours a week I am not observing
the planet.  Instead I'm reviewing old stuff, or making up amazing
worlds (lately this is super true) in my dreams.  That leaves 119 hours
when I'm awake, that I'm amazed every minute.  That doesn't mean
I don't feel beyond sad about the tragic wars, and climate crisis the world
is undergoing. It means I also feel as I recently said that it's my purpose
to notice what is beautiful and touching, and if possible to create art based
on what I see.

Here are some suggestions I'll try to follow in 2026.
They are helpful:

Be Happy! Hardship and sorrow come into every life --
and of course have been part of mine. This year I've tried to
listen to a voice in my head that tells me to rethink my attitude
(it sounds like my mother), to notice what is great, as well as
what is wrong. I'm keenly aware that our time on the planet is
limited, and that I am incredibly lucky. So in my best times
I choose to enjoy life moment by moment. In the case of enjoying
you -- your support, your beautiful art, and great thoughts -- that is a given.
 Plus I am so blessed that my family and friends are wonderful!

You (I) don't know what's going to happen next.
Who would imagine having a conversation in
in the Apple store tonight trying to get some things
adjusted on my phone, and finding out the tech expert is
an excellent photographer, and that I'd be looking at his super
photos of Kenya before I left the store.  What a

treat.  And I would be delighted if his photos 
ended up in a Louvre show.  We talked about that.

When I went to City Hall to get my parking sticker
renewed, I tried to hail a cab I wanted to take to go home,
and a passer by heard me yelling "Taxi", and ran down the street
after the car, tapped on the window, and told the driver that
I wanted the cab. Amazing. Total strangers have been so
kind to me.

Love matters, -- And I can't say this enough.  (My thoughts
on this haven't changed. They've just been reaffirmed.)  I want to
show the world that I love the planet (which is why I
paint landscapes of beautiful places), show the people who love
me that I love them back.  Some people may find it corny
or insincere if I tell them I love them.  But I know that love matters.
I'm a reader, and try to keep up with the news, and know
that the brutality of war, politics, climate change disasters, 

have made it another very hard year.  But I am once again so moved
by the kindness people show each other, even in the
hardest situations. And I'm moved by the people in
my life, who care, make me laugh, and will listen
when times are tough. After my mother died I realized
that even though I told her I loved her every time we spoke,
or saw one another, that we can really never tell each
other too often that we love one another.  Love does matter."

  
Daily miracles like the ones above happen to me and to us
every day.  Here's to ending the horrific wars currently killing so
many people, making sure everyone has food and water, and
electing politicians who care about the planet and all people.

Have a loving your life day!

Looking forward to 2026

A beautiful bouquet sent from an
artist friend across the ocean

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2025

2025 definitely made my artistic life come alive -- it was a vibrant 
year in art -- which was a gift, as the world seemed to dive into
deeper and deeper chaos.  Sitting here in my somewhat tidied 
studio (for New Year's Eve), I feel grateful for all of the experiences
 I've had in the past year -- for our home, and the tranquility of
 knowing we have love, shelter and peace where we live. This is
 not the reality for so many people.

Thank you to you for making 2025 so alive. I feel like dancing 
just thinking about all of the sweet people I've met, and dear friends
who continue to inspire me each year.

For the number people (I am not a numbers person) it makes me
happy that 2026 adds up to 10.  I don't know how it will be a 10.
But 10 is perfection in many circles, and wouldn't that be wonderful --
a year that gave you everything you wanted.  I am wishing that
for you. 2025 certainly did that for me. 

Have a loving your life day!

A wonderful year in art

Aren't we lucky!
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2025

This was one of my favourite new paintings in the Art of Celebration,
my solo show at the Heliconian Club, that was up for the 
month of April. 

Ruko, the model, posed in my studio and it was so exciting to
paint from life in my own space again.  There hasn't been a lot
of that since the beginning of COVID. Prepping for the solo
show was busy and wonderful.  I enjoyed every exhibition I was
in in 2025.  Wonderful new friends, and superb art.

Now we are getting ready for a New Year's Eve party, and
I'm thinking about what I want to do in art for 2026.  I'm
on a full break now, but did do a drawing today, and will continue
making drawings for the next week or so. 

We saw wonderful exhibitions today at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Amazing.  I may talk about that tomorrow.

Now for the party -- more list making, checking, planning. 
So with your kind inspiration I am staying positive, and 
looking forward to the New Year.  As all the songs say,
let peace come to the world.

Have a loving your life day!

My goal for 2026 -- Be happy and help other people to be happy

In a park by the lake -- happiness

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2018

The other night we were at Ikea for dinner (they make quite wonderful
salmon), and the woman ahead of me in line to order food taught me how
to get a tray holder cart because the whole store was running on the opposite
side from usual.  Then we talked a bit as we walked through that long line.
The whole way her little boy was asking her math questions, and doing math
counting on his fingers.

When we were almost at the end I said you know a cool trick you can
do like counting on your fingers -- touch each finger and your thumb on
your hand and say H-A-P-P-Y -- happy! He smiled and then we went
off to our separate tables far apart in the dining area.

But when we were leaving I saw the woman again, and we wished each
other Happy Holidays, and the little boy (who his mother told me was 
five -- and wow could he do math) high fived me with a huge smile
on his face. 

And that was wonderful.  Happy holidays!

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Boxing Day!

 

The stockings hung by the fireplace.
This is from another year.
This year stocking openings are
happening 
on a couple of dates. 
I love the look of this!
Photo

Barbara Muir ©

I hope you're having a Happy Holiday.  I spoke to wonderful artist friends
in California, and in Nova Scotia today to wish them Happy Holidays and we
had sweet conversations.

Then one of my favourite helpers came for the afternoon to try and straighten 
out my studio.  A challenge.  We are going to be having a party in that
space (my studio is in our home), so this needs to happen.  We got a lot

figured out, and had so much fun.  Corny holiday music playing in the
background.

We are not going out shopping the sales.  Just getting ready and planning

our New Year's Eve party.  It will be fun, and it kicks off the new year

with joy and inspiration.

Happy Boxing Day weekend.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

 Although this photo was taken years ago 

this will be the scene at the park

near us when

we have what Torontonians call

a lot of snow.  Not the case today.  But soon.

I love the image which is

perfect for this joyous time of year! 

I hope you're having a great holiday whatever you celebrate.  We had dinner

with friends tonight -- so fun. We've had kind and thoughtful cards and
presents, tons of laughter and so much love.

Thank you friends and family.  The best.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! -- the 25th thing I learn over and over, having fun with your family is awesome

Santa street in Toronto

(not its proper name)

photo

Barbara Muir © 

Today I feel like every Santa sculpture in this scene.  We had a family 

celebration meal yesterday with part of our family -- sweet gifts,

laughter and delicious food.  And we will have another holiday
festive meal in the new year. So much fun.  

When I look back on the year -- time spent with family and friends have been
definite highlights of 2025.  So special and filled with laughter and

fun. So many fun occasions and art openings. 

Happy Holidays to you, and I hope you get to spend your time off with
people who make you the happiest.

Thank you for your kindness and support all year.  

Happy Holidays! 

The 23 thing I learned again in 2025 is I know what my purpose is -- to try and make people happy

Cherrywood Snow Scene

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2015

SOLD ♥ 

(Actually sold over and over --

as its my Christmas card theme.)

This was a really super day for being happy -- we had a family 
Christmas dinner at lunch with part of the family. We had so 
much fun, and it made my day. The holiday preparations went
into full gear before the family arrived.  The garland is over

the fire place.  Some presents are wrapped.  I made my beloved
cranberry jelly.  And I started delivering my holiday card to people
in the neighbourhood. 

And they loved the card, which made me really happy. It's snowed 

enough to make it look festive.  All good. 

Happy Holidays to you!  Thank you for a wonderful year family
and friends! 

The 22nd thing I learn on the 22nd of every month, and did again in 2025 -- love is the best!

Me and Steven in our
winter gear about
about 13 years ago.
Photo
Dawn Yaeger 

It's the Monthaversary of our first date, which we celebrate every month,
and always toast one another at dinner, even if we're just drinking milk.

I learn over and over -- every day, sometimes every minute -- that love is
great, and that we are so lucky to be in love.  

Crazy busy time.  We are catching up on the holiday after being under
the weather. Some family comes tomorrow, for a very happy
holiday lunch.  So I can't say much tonight, except thank you to everyone
who lifted my spirits and made my day in 2025.  This man is most definitely
at the top of that list!

Happy Holidays! 

Here we go -- the light's coming back. The 21st thing I learned again this year -- Here's to the light!

Frescoes in a chapel in the 

Siena Cathedral,
in Siena, Italy 
Photo

Barbara Muir ©

We were going to go and watch a friend take part in a parade
to celebrate the solstice, but she fell and hurt her leg, so she
couldn't do it.  But speaking of light -- driving towards the
west at sunset was spectacular today.  Golden light transforming

an entire side of the street -- making it magical.

I found a former post about light that is perfect for today.

Steven and I had our first holiday party -- with party crackers at

dinner -- snap -- hats and silly jokes.  So fun.

So here's my former post:

"I'm showing an image from my time in Florence.  Being part of
the Florence Biennale changed my life in so many ways.  It
was so exciting to meet international artists.  And it's wonderful
that many of us are still friends, some through social media, and
some of us have met again in person -- delighted to see each other.
I think exhibiting in Florence let the light of glorious friendships,
and spectacular memories into my life.

I met new friends, saw amazing art, fell in love with a
country I had only dreamed of, and heard of, both from my
parents and many of my friends who had either been born in Italy,
or had parents who were Italian.

My ancestry connection is that my great, great, great grandmother
was Florentine.  So being in Florence made me very happy.
Part of the thrill of being in Italy, was taking a bus tour around
the area where we were staying, to Siena, and Pisa.  The image
tonight is of a fresco in the Cathedral in Siena.  Our tour guide
used her influence to get us into a spectacular chapel in the
cathedral, and changed my view of art from the period.

It turns out the art that was not damaged (in this chapel very
few visitors are allowed to enter, because breath damages
the colour) is absolutely brilliant in colour.  Every colour was so
bright. All of the Florentine art of the period that was subdued
in colour was -- according to this guide -- damaged.

Woo Hoo.  May bright colour reign supreme!  It was one
of the most beautiful rooms I've ever been in in my life.

Wishing you a very Merry Holiday Season.  Looking forward
would I love to return to Europe? The answer is yes!"

That's my dream for 2026!

Have a loving your life day!

 

Last year the 20th thing I learned was go ahead and do it -- This year, 5,4,3,2,1

 

Colours of Joy
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

(available)

Super day today.  Amazing how different life is when you get over

having whatever we had -- cold/flu/nasty.  We are well.  And

everything seems celebratory.  At the same time -- we want to
celebrate Yule, and the New Year and see friends and relatives,

so we can't sit around twiddling our thumbs.

A new go ahead and do it trick I learned the other day seems
insanely simple, but I've got quite a bit done since I started it.

You get an idea -- count 5,4,3,2, 1 and do whatever it is that
inspired you.

Maybe that's why we had so much fun holiday shopping today
(don't worry our family doesn't do excess). But we needed

lights, and a couple of gifts, and holiday crackers for whatever

meals we'll share with family and friends. Done. 5,4,3,2, 1!

I love this painting, and it is available. It is an abstract
appreciation of life by the ocean.

Have a loving your life day!

The 19th thing I learned all over again in 2025-- as a good friend of mine in New York says -- Go outside

 

Cedarvale Park on Boxing Day last year

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2024

Our Fall Blooming Anemones in full bloom

This one aspect of our beautiful garden
makes me so happy.  They were very late

 blooming again his year because of the high

heat this summer.

Photo
Barbara Muir © 

The political scene right now can get very depressing.  The 
stories of wars, and mass shootings, all seem insane.

Do yourself a favour.  Turn off your phone, and all of your devices,

bundle up if you're in our part of the world, and go outside.
Arrange the lights on your tree. Pick up some boughs.
Sing a song or two.  And forget all of the bleak stuff.

The outside world is waiting to enchant you.  We have met

amazing people on our walks.  Wonderful artists, amazing
photographers, and published book writers.  I mean.

Have a loving your life day!

Be the light -- the 18th thing I've learned over and over

 

Breakfast Quebec City style

Watercolour and black marker

on Arches watercolour paper

6 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 

You may not always have a choice, but when you do, choose to
be the light! Be the light.  Today the news has been harsh:

a major fire in Wallace, Nova Scotia near our school house

happened on December 8. There've been mass shootings,
horrific murders, ongoing war. There was even a bomb 
threat in our neighbourhood.

The normal reaction is to feel despair. But that despair
is not generative -- it doesn't lead to change. And change
has to happen for the sake of the planet, and quickly.

As artists we can offer hope in art that celebrates the 
smallest of reasons to be happy -- like the breakfast scene
above. That is quite different from being complacent, or
not caring.  It is caring and saying -- this too.

Please give money to whatever your favourite charity is.

Help people around the world get food and shelter.

Have a caring for the world day.

The 17th thing I've kept learning every day in 2025 -- I love learning so much

 

Part of one wall of paintings from
my solo show The Art of Celebration
at the Heliconian Hall in April 2025

Photo: 

Paintings -- Barbara Muir © 

Having a solo show was a dynamic and joyous learning experience. 
it taught me, among other things, that I really am an artist.  55 paintings
filling the beautiful space of the Heliconian Hall was a very positive experience.  

I do love learning, and love working at it.  My passions right now aside from art,

are French, and trying to learn thank you in 7,139 languages.  I may know 20,

and am I want to know more.  Toronto is a delightfully culturally diverse
city, and we literally do meet people from all over the world. 

People are happy to share thank you in their first language, and then are so 
happy to hear someone trying to say it, even if I take a few tries to get it right.

I like what I said about this last year:

"So that's one thing -- language.  Then there is learning about
the many different cultures of people I meet who have lived
around the world.  If you do travel, you know that if you 
haven't visited a place, you don't know it. You can see
1,000 pictures of the Eiffel tower, and not know how it
looks in real life when you visit it, or drive by it in a taxi,
or see it as you sail down the Seine on a tour boat. So
different.  But we can read, and study and see films and 
speak with people to learn about the places we may never
visit.

Learning is essential if we are going to fix humanity's
disruptive behaviour, and save the planet."

Have a loving what you're learning day.

The 16th thing I learned again -- the world is full of wonder!

Happy Anniversary Tea 

watercolour and marker on
watercolour paper

 6 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 

This painting is for sale at the Heliconian Hall Off The Wall show, and
there's an opening tomorrow, 35 Hazelton Ave. from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

I feel wonder at so many things -- walking along my upstairs hall this
afternoon -- a bright pink light bounced off the blue walls.  I went to

the window and the sunset was spectacular.  Light makes me so happy --

true for many artists I believe.

I have always like old china, probably partly because my parents were
modernists -- sick of all that fusty old stuff.  We did have exceptionally
beautiful dinnerware for special occasions.  But Steven and I have had
a passion for antiques -- maybe because they remind us of Europe.  

Small things make me happy.  This year I painted all of our old garden
pots -- which were dull and worn out, a beautiful deep blue, then we
filled them with white, blue and red flowers --they were  gorgeous, and
every time I sat on our back porch I felt filled with delight and wonder.

So yes -- I could tell 100 stories for this one, but it's getting late. It's been
a very difficult few days.  We need to care for one another. 

Have a loving your life day!

 

The 15th thing I learned again in 2025 -- my art group is so inspiring

Art Group Sketch 
from several years ago

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches

Barbara Muir ©

I love painting with my art group.  They are such inspiring, kind, 
funny artists. Our group happens every Tuesday evening in 
Forest Hill Collegiate -- the art space for both the Forest Hill
Art Club and the Don Valley Art Club. And it is so fun.

I am a very slow painter, but with the group I'm fast. My
husband drops me off at 7:30 and picks me up an hour later. 
I set up. There are breaks, I paint, then I take down my easel
and table, and clean up, and get a painting in that hour. 
Inspired by the artists, and the model. 

I think I might have had 30 minutes to do this painting sketch,

and I like it. Thank you to my art group for another year of
super inspiration.  Your work is beautiful, and I learn 
something every time I paint for such a short time with
you.

Have a loving your life day!

 

Yes Joy matters. The 14th lesson I learned again. Not religious, but Joy for the world would be the best!

 

The night of the tulips

Watercolour and marker

on watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Seeing this painting from years ago made me happy.  It's been a rough day--

still feeling under the weather.  So last year's post seems perfect. I thought
we've got to get some flowers in here because they are always an immediate
source of joy for me. We'll soon have Amaryllis plants in bloom, and that
will be awesome. And this is one of my favourite tulip paintings.

For the past couple of years on this day I talked about how Louise Hay
once asked what word you would use to define the year.  In 2017 I said
"joy", in 2023 "resilience", in 2024 I would use both "magnificent",
because so many parts of my life have been magnificent, and "surprise"
because it seems the surprises (mostly good, but some terrifying) have been endless.

For 2025 the word wonderful seems appropriate.  And that with the
world falling all around us.  I have had a wonderful year -- special,

fabulous -- a very good year.  I do miss Paris -- so next year.

And yes a great many people, events, beautiful views, flowers, music,
have given me joy. So I am very grateful.

Have a loving your life day. 

The 13th thing I learned again in 2025 -- it takes a village to keep an artist going

Me and my friend artist Georgia Fullerton
in front of the portrait of her daughter

India Morgan who posed for

the portrait Our Garden.

The painting In the City on loan for
my solo show The Art of Celebration

is the landscape in the photo,
and one of the first guests to the show,

artist and collector Ellis Berman sits on the couch
in front of the portrait.
Photo 
Peter Ramdeholl © 2025

First of all my husband, who is at every show, is my main supporter. 
He helps me with the heavy work of displaying art, and with the logic
of my thoughts, and process when I'm working hard on a painting.
My family are incredibly supportive. And I am so grateful. Love you family.

My friends are super kind and supportive of my work -- attending my
shows, buying my work when they can.  I am so grateful.

I am lucky to be a member of the Heliconian Club,  a delight

since I joined in 2019, and I'm a member of the Don Valley Art Club.
I've exhibited my work in recent years mostly in the beautiful space of the 

Heliconian Club when I'm not showing internationally. And the weekly
drawing/painting night at the Don Valley Art Club is a treat.
Last April I had a one month solo show of 55 paintings in the Heliconian Hall, and
it was wonderful. The Heliconian hanging committee did an exceptional

job of displaying my work, and Steven my husband, and Peter Ramdeholl
put up the largest pieces.

Then there is the wide community in the social media world.  I'll 
include Howard Wolinsky, Oprah Winfrey and Alyson Stanfield in my
list there.  And all of the people -- friends I've met at shows, friends 

from my community, and friends I've made online who like, buy,
enjoy, and support my work.

Maybe it takes an entire world to keep an artist going.  And please

know that I am so grateful to all of you.

Have a loving your life day.

(I added Pete Sinjin's Canal Street magnificent painting into
last night's blog.  It seemed right.  Still under the weather so
it's not the best photo.)

The 12th thing I learned over again in 2025 -- life is amazing!

 

Pete Sinjin, the Brooklyn plein air painter
I met randomly walking along the Seine in Paris
in May.  As we spoke awkward French
to each other about what he was doing (measuring
lines with his paint brush in the air), we
shared names, and he found out I'd
been one of a number of artists
who said that his work was 

great, when a silly art critic tried to put him down.

Instant friendship. Amazing!

Photo

Steven van Schaik (my husband) © 2024

Canal St., NYC
Framed oil on linen, plein air
16 x 20 inches
Pete Sinjin ©

I've told you the story of meeting Pete Sinjin in Paris before.  It was awesome.

This year surprise beyond measure, I got one of Pete's paintings for my 
birthday!  One of my favourites. And get this-- my husband ordered it in August
for my Halloween birthday! Yes I was blown away.  It's magnificent.

Then last week I met one of the stars of We Will Rock You at my art show

on the afternoon before Steven and I went to the show that evening.  So

magical.

Stay open to awesome happiness.

Have a loving your life day!

The 11th thing I learned again in 2025 -- Pets are amazing -- the sweetest

Monet the cat
It's the fourth
anniversary of her
adoption.

We normally (well three times) have celebrated Monet's adoption
anniversary today, but today was not the normal day.  So to honour Monet --
here's what I said last year edited for what's changed:

This is the fourth anniversary of our adoption of our cat, Monet.
She is a wonderful warm, intelligent cat.  My husband Steven
has his office in the basement.  He comes up to the kitchen for lunch,
and Monet comes up with him.  When he is ready to go back to
work, he says, "back to work," and Monet runs downstairs and jumps
into her basket on top of the dog's cage in Steven's office.

Our dog Sally will sing Monet a Happy Adoption song tomorrow night
because it's too late now for our neighbours. And afterwards
Monet and Sally will get a treat.

This year we lost our beautiful cat Fiona, who was 17 3/4 years old. 
We all miss her.

Sally the dog is lovely and 13, and having health issues.  She's blind and
deaf and totally cheerful. Love her. 

Monet needs another cat friend, so we will be on the lookout for a
Tortiepoint siames kitten.

Have a loving your life day.

This is # 10, and should perhaps be #1 -- I learned again to work on being happy!

Me with my painting

 Breakfast in the Skylight Diner NYC

30 x 30 inches

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 

At Art Shopping Carrousel du Louvre

in the Louvre, Paris

June 2015

SOLD ♥ 

Does workimg on being happy sound simplistic, or like I'm ignoring the world.  No!  A friend even accused me of using "platitudes." But no. I acknowledge every way that I am lucky in my life.  And in the face of a world that seems to get
more messed up, and depressing by the minute, I try to notice and enjoy what's
good, heartening and enjoyable. 

As I said before, "I still believe that if we take action whenever we can,
and give what we can, to help with what we can, we owe it to those who
are suffering to appreciate how blessed we are." And I know I am.

My family is not enduring a senseless, devastating war.  We have food,
and shelter, and people who love us, and at the moment work. Plus
we're looking forward to a festive season with family and friends. 

I was extremely lucky to teach Positive Psychology at the college
level for 10 years. That taught me a lot about how to be happy.

Have a loving your life day.