Happy Victoria day

Fireworks

display in the schoolyard

Photo

Barbara Muir ©

A short one tonight.  Steven and I went down to the lake today
We had both lunch, and dinner as take out.  Dinner was
a chicken burger from the wonderful Al Pa Cone's on the
waterfront. If you're in Toronto please write your MP to ask
them to stop the airport extension on our waterfront which
will ruin the beautiful parks where everyone was playing today
with friends, and family. Today is Victoria Day, a special
three day weekend holiday. So tonight we went to our local
park to watch the fireworks. Everyone calls today Firecracker
Day, or Queen Victoria's birthday.  

Someone just north of Cedarvale park was creating a
fabulous display. It was such a great day -- seeing the swans
on the lake, and amazing trees in beautiful bloom.  We saw
family Friday, went to a wonderful celebration of the
Heliconian Hall on Saturday, drove to London to see family
on Sunday, and enjoyed some of the best of Toronto today.

Have a loving your life day! 

Family fun and dreaming of Paris

 

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 Sunday and we're visiting with family for the day.  This is Victoria
Day weekend in Canada.  Usually it's the weekend of May 24th, but
hey -- a three day weekend is a treat whenever.

It's  a beautiful day today, and we are having a great day.  Scrolling
through my blog I found this in a former post:

"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.  A dear friend gave us a new
sculpture of the Eiffel tower for our front lawn for my
birthday. We need to get new lights, and we will when
life is a bit less busy. The neighbours are fond of it so
we'll do that in the next couple of weeks.  Right now
the tulips are the main show.

Have a loving your life day. 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend Miranda Brouwers

Chu Okoli's photo of

Rolf Leemeijer, Miranda Brouwers,

Me and Chu at the gala dinner for the

2015 Florence Biennale

Chu Okoli © 2015

Yesterday some of our family members and the dog sang Happy Birthday
to Miranda and sent her the audio recording.  Miranda is in the Netherlands,

so the message was there when she woke up. I wish I could be there to
celebrate her birthday -- she is so much fun!

Miranda Brouwers is an amazing artist who I met at the 2015 Florence Biennale.

I can't believe it's almost 11years (11 years this fall) that I've known her.
If our schedules permit, we talk once a week.  And we love that conversation.
We always laugh when we say hello -- she is in the Netherlands, and I am
 in Toronto.

Here's what I wrote in a former post that seems perfect today:

"Miranda and I, and her husband Rolf, and the artist Chu Okoli (shown above)
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 the10 day show.  And Miranda and I have been close friends ever since,

even though she lives in Breda, The Netherlands, and I live in Toronto, Canada.  

I so look forward to our weekly calls, and I'm 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. 

 

The perfect painting for today

Pink in the city

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 16 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

It's been an extremely busy day today, and tomorrow is going to be the same.
Before this gorgeous time in Toronto ends, I want to honour it with this
painting that captures it comepletely

I wrote a past blog post, that says exactly what I've been thinking today:

"When we were driving home today from picking up some essential
groceries I spotted this view. It’s happening. The trees like the ones
in this painting are at their full flower right now-- so beautiful.

I immediately thought that I need to rush out, and take some photographs
of this beauty while it lasts. I know we only have a few days, which doesn’t
seem fair, but it is the reality. I have got some great photos.  But this 
will do for now.

And I’m so happy that I cared enough about that glorious view to
create this painting."

Have a loving your life day! 

Sweet opening for Tanya Murdoch today at the At Origin Coffee

 

Harpist with the soul of a cellist
oil on canvas
12 x 12 inches
Tanya Murdoch © 2025

Tanya's opening today from 6-8 p.m. was perfect.  Wonderful exciting work in a

café environment.  Guests sitting down and enjoying snacks, delicious
coffee and conversation surrounded by amazing art. Go and see it when

you're in the neighbourhood of 687 Mount Pleasant and enjoy a superb
espresso.  Steven and I did.  

As always Tanya was welcoming and happy, and so were all of the
people who came out to the opening.

Have a loving your life day!

A delightful opening of World in a City at the Helconian Hall

 

Martha Davis 
explains her Diorama Welcome World
about the special day when she
was a school teacher when 
students from all over the world would
come dressed in the costumes from
their former homelands.

It was a great opening today, but as always I was so busy talking to people that
I didn't get many good photos.  It is an amazing show. Come and see it.  I put
the information on last night's blog.  I will share what photos I have on Instagram
story tomorrow 

Have a loving your life day!

Opening for World in a City

 

Tomorrow is the second opening for the May show at the Heliconian
Hall, World in a City, and it's a beautiful show.  It's all about our
city, Toronto and wow it is really something.

The opening runs from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at the Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Avenue,
in Toronto.  There will be treats and coffee, and as always it is free.  I'd love
to see you there.

Have a loving your life day!

Mother's Day continues

 

Mother and Child
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Some of my favourite paintings are of parents with their children,

and this is one.  This collector loved my work and I'm so happy
I could create meaningful work for her.  

I'm not sure whether I have enough paintings to celebrate a Mother's
Day week.  But I'm going to try, because I think mothers and
fathers too deserve more than one day a year of celebration.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I knowI did.  

Wishing you a joyous spring week, 

Have a loving your life day!

Happiest Mother's Day

 

The Writer's Life

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2025

Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing mothers.
I feel so lucky to have two sweet sons, two lovely,
kind daughters-in-law, and a growing family.  Mother's 
Day is the best for me every day. My family is the a treat,
and my friends who mother me, and who are mothers
are also so fantastic.

I miss my mother who's been gone for thirteen
years -- I love you and miss you Mommy.  You are with me
every day in my heart.

In a former post this is what I saiid about this painting:

"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."

I hope you had a super Mother's Day.  I did. I had time with
my family, and enjoyed friends calling in. 

Have a loving your life day!

This is what the whole thing is about

Christopher Sleeping 

(journal drawing)

marker on paper

Barbara Muir © 2012

Baby Sam
8 1/2 x 11 inches
black marker on bond paper
Barbara Muir © 2009

This is what it's all about -- Mother's Day weekend.  Whether we

get to be with our children or not, they are 100% on our
minds, and in our hearts. And so are our mothers, whether
we can be with them, or call them, or if they've left this world--

they are in our hearts for the whole weekend.

I feel extremely grateful to my mother for being so kind,
generous and inspiring.  And I'm sorry she's no longer with us. 

My family dropped off beautiful roses for me today, so I am 

lucky and grateful.

Have a Happy Mother's Day weekend.

Have a loving your life day!

The joy of the blog's history

Picture with an archer (detail)
by Vasily Kandinsky
1909

One of the great pleasures about writing a blog is that it
holds the history of where I've been, and what I've 
been interested in.  Today I looked at this day in 2010.

I had been in a show in New York City, and while
we were there had enjoyed visiting the MoMA. 
Such an amazing gallery. I was impressed by 
Vasily Kandinsky's bright colours.  I think the subject
matter escaped me.

Here's what I wrote in 2010:

"While we were in New York we visited the MOMA
(Museum of Modern Art) twice. As an artist with
an exhibit in New York City, I got a special artist's
membership for a bit more than the price of a one
time admission, so the second time I went in free.

What can I say? There was so much to see that was
wonderful in the MOMA. 

But one of the things that I liked was the painting
Picture with an archer by Vasily Kandinsky. I took
several close up pictures of the painting, trying to
capture its intensity and texture. (Photos were permitted.)
It completely entranced me. The colour was so rich,
I know no photograph can convey what I saw. But
check it out next time you're at the MOMA."

Wishing you a great Mother's Day weekend.

Have a loving your life day!

Remembering Paris (yes this could go on and on, and will!)

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

Two years ago today we were getting ready to leave Paris 
after a wonderful visit.  On the afternooon I posted this
image two years ago, we'd visited artist friends in their
apartment and they served us a beautiful wine apertif,
and delicious pastries. 

We had an amazing and exciting conversation about everything
happening in the world -- quite a job for me and Steven,
as Jean Philippe and Sophie Barbara were speaking
very fast, intelligent french -- and so much fun.

Like today in Toronto the weather was perfect -- a little bit cool,
and sunny. The whole city seemed happy. Torontonians are
so keen for summer right now, that many are wearing shorts in
10 degree Celsius, 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  Very Canadian.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful brother

Shorelines, The Gatineau River
My Brother Andrew
12" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir ©

It's my wonderful brother's birthday today, and I wish
I could be with him and his wife and Steven singing
Happy Birthday. We will sing for sure -- over the
phone with our dog Sally singing her favourite song --|

Happy Birthday means a treat. And she loves treats.
It would be a treat to be with Andrew and his sweet
wife Lina. We will get together soon

Here's what I said in a former post: 

"My brother Andrew and I support each other in
our artistic efforts (He's a writer, was a host on an
Ottawa talk show about art, a conceptual artist,
an excellent painter, and a photographer).
We've also worked together on numerous projects
writing and editing articles, speeches, websites.

Andrew is one of the funniest people I know.
Working with him was like all the best
working relationships because we laughed so much
no matter what we were doing.

This painting of Andrew is one of my husband's
favourites. The painting is a 12" x 12" square.
It looks less vibrant here than it is in real life.
One day I hope to paint similar paintings of everyone
I know, and clip them together to make one huge work."

I like the dream I had then. Nice idea.  Right now
other ideas are in the works.

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Have a loving your life day!

Back to my art group on a busy Tuesday

                                                    Art Group Sketch -- Charlotte

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches

Barbara Muir © 2026

Super day today.  Meeting with neighbourhood friends this morning,
then a busy afternoon.  So I was really happy tonight to get back to
my art group for a fast one hour.  My husband Steven drops me off
at 7:30, and picks me up at 8:30.  Clearly I don't have a lot of time
to work, as setting up takes me about 10 minutes, and tonight my
first easel was a disaster.  Then there's cleaning up and packing up
 -- so another 10 minutes, and there were two 10 minute breaks for
the model. I probably got this much done in 25 - 30 minutes. It was
so much fun. There are so many amazing artists in that Don Valley
Art Club group. 

The best thing about the group, is that I just paint and don't think.  This

week the model was great. I needed more time, and I like what I
made.

Have a loving your life day. 

Every day in art is exciting

This painting went home today!

Picnic at home
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2026

SOLD ♥

And this painting went home too.

Stand Back for the Pie

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2026

SOLD ♥

Today a sweet young woman, who is a collector came to pick up her 
latest acquisition Picnic at home with her mother who I hadn't seen
for a few years.

Then in the afternoon I delivered a Stand back for the pie to friends
up the street. And we had a delightful conversation.

We sat on the porch with another friend and talked about me doing
his portrait, having a show together, and I asked the talented 
young artist across the street to show our friend her latest painting
of cats in the window looking at our house.  

So much fun in one day.  After the jam packed weekend,
I am quite happily exhausted.

Have a loving your life day!

Thinking about Paris two years ago, and feeling lucky

 

Paris today

(the photo title)

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2024

When we went to Paris twot years ago, we went because Steven's surgeon's

message (only posted online -- no direct contact), strongly suggested that
we probably couldn't travel again ever after whatever cancer surgery
Steven was going to have when we came back to Toronto.

We feel so grateful that one of our regular doctors got us a new, super nice 

and excellent surgeon at a different hospital. And when that surgeon did
exploratory surgery after our Paris trip, he found no cancer! None.

As I've said before get a second opinion and if a doctor is rude, doesn't have
empathy -- get another doctor.  Plus of course, as I've said before go to Paris as

often as possible.  Steven has been cancer free with regular treatments with
his new surgeon ever since. 

We can't wait until we have enough savings and some time to head back to
Paris.

Have a loving your life day!

Super opening at the Heliconian

One of the postcards for the World in a City

exhibition on now at the Heliconian Hall

35 Hazelton Ave. Toronto

Today was such a great opening.  I met people from France who are
currently living in Toronto. There were so many exciting conversations
and great people, but I didn't take any photos. Luckily my friend 
Georgia Fullerton who I invited into the show sent me photos of her
work. Her pieces are spectacular.

Feminine Energies
Watercolour +gouache
Georgia Fullerton © 2025

You’re Richer Than You Think
Acrylic on canvas
Georgia Fullerton © 2025

Georgia with me and Steven
outside the Heliconian Hall

saying goodbye after the opening
Photo
Georgia Fullerton © 2026

Tonight is movie night, so here's what the club's website says about the show"

"The Exhibition runs from May 2nd to 27th

During the month of May, the Visual Art section of the club is featuring
an art show called World in a City.

The group show is inspired by the Doors Open theme, featuring a diverse
selection of artwork by members and invited guests inspired by themes
of architecture, culture and community in the city of Toronto.

The show has 2 free public showings: Saturday May 2 (2-5pm) (that
was today, and Wednesday May 13 (4:30-7pm), and will also be open
to the public during 150th Anniversary celebrations on May 16 (12-3pm)
and Doors Open on May 24 (10-4pm)."

It's a beautiful show and I hope you get to see it.

Have a loving your life day!

A delightful time at the Art Gallery of Ontario

The King's Breakfast 

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2025

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

Clouds dancing over Toney Bay

Acrylic on canvas

40 x 40 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2025

Three of my images were featured in a continuous slide show that
happened today from 6:30--8:30 at the Art Gallery of Ontario
 -- Toronto's major public gallery. 21 other artists were also
featured, and it was beautifully done so you could enjoy each
artist's work, and then the next image would appear.

The slide show was part of a celebration for the Heliconian
Hall's 150th year birthday.  The event featured a short play.  

Then there were wonderful music performances. 

Here is the outline of what we enjoyed:

• Introduction & Welcome by Angie Littlefield
• The Hearth and the Fire one-act play with
  Angie Littlefield and Catherine Vaneri
• Do What You Can and Free the Magic original
  musical performance by Taivi
• La vie en rose (By Edith Piaf) performed by Meryl Mourey
• Heliconian: Rag, Boss, Blues and Hoedown
  (Composed by Kye Marshall) performed by
  Catherine Sulem - Violin, Erika Hughes - Violin,
  Velma Ko -  Viola, Kye Marshall - Cell

It was fantastic, and I am so proud of the organizers, the
performers, the slide show creators, and all of the artists
whose work was featured.  Thank you!

For more artistic excitement tomorrow, Saturday is the opening of

the opening of the World in a City show, which I'm in with my
friend Georgia Fullerton's work.  We were asked to invite a guest
artist, and I invited Georgia.That opening (with treats and coffee) takes
place at theHeliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto from 2-5 pm.,
May 2. And as always it's free. 

Have a loving your life day!

An art packed weekend

In The Right Place At The Right Time

Acrylic on canvas

36 x 48 inches

Barbara Muir © 

I submitted 5 images for a slide show that is happening tomorrow

night at the Art Gallery of Ontario -- Toronto's major public 
gallery.  This is one of them, and I hope it's in the show.

The slide show is  part of a celebration for the Heliconian
Hall's 150 year birthday.  So if you're at the AGO tomorrow 

night, there will be an evening of music, plays, readings, and
my work with 21 other Heliconian artists being projected in a
loop on the wall of the Atrium.  Admission is free if you're a
gallery member.

Then on Saturday it's the opening of the World in a City show, 
which I'm in with my friend Georgia Fullerton's work.  We 
were asked to invite a guest artist, and I invited Georgia.
That opening (with treats and coffee) takes place at the
Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto from 2-5 pm.,
Saturday May 2. And as always it's free. 

Have a loving your life day!

Two years ago in Paris

Pete Sinjin and me beside the river

Seine in Paris two years ago. It was so

wonderful to meet him, and to realize that we

already had a connection. Check out his work.

It's amazing.

Photo
Steven van Schaik © 2024

 If you're in New York City (Brooklyn) this weekend on May 1, do
yourself a favour and go to Collier West Gallery, 369 Atlantic Avenue
from 6-8 pm. and see Pete Sinjin's beautiful work.  One of the magical
moments in my life in the past year happened when my husband gave
me a super Pete Sinjin painting for my birthday.  I was beyond thrilled.
Here's what I wrote a year ago about meeting Pete.

"I feel so lucky in my life in general, because wonderful things like
this happen. Steven and I were walking along the Seine in Paris last year,
and an artist (Pete Sinjin in the photo) was measuring the scene he was
painting and then holding his paint brush in the air. I started to laugh
because I don't know how to do that measuring thing, and I don't do it.
So we started to talk in our best possible French, until Pete said his name. 
Then I realized that 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 fabulous.
And it is!

So Pete asked for a photo and Steven took this.  It makes me happy just
looking at this happy picture, and Pete and I have been friends ever since.

Of course the painting he was creating that day was awesome, and so
are all of his pieces."

Have a loving your life day.

P.S. On Friday night in Toronto at the Art Gallery of Ontario my work will
be part of a slide show presenting work of artists from the Heliconian art
club in the Atrium beginning at 6 p.m. Steven and I will be thinking of
you Pete.  

 

Time travel Tuesday

 

Part of the show 5 of the 50 paintings I had on view

a year ago in April 2025 at my solo show at the

Heliconian Hall.  This April The Colour

of Light is on at the Hall until tomorrow night

with Vivian East, Henrietta Walmark

and me. 

© Barbara Muir 2025

The past month has been super busy, and this week The Colour of Light
comes down on Thursday morning, and World in a City goes up that same
morning. So I am painting, trying to get my taxes ready, and a family
member has had two MRIs in the past week.  There's a lot going on.

Friday night sometime between 6 and 8 I believe the Heliconian Club,
where the shows I described above are happening at 35 Hazelton
Avenue is having a contemporary members' art shown on the wall
of the Art Gallery of Ontario's atrium.  And I am one of those artists.
So I'm pretty excited.

I just want to thank the Heliconian members so much for their help
and inspiration.  

In this case the excitement comes from time travel in the present, time

travel a year ago, and looking forward to Friday.

Have a loving your life day!