One great thing about International Art Exhibitions

 

Journal Sketch
of my friend Miranda Brouwers
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

We hung out with wonderful family artists today after visiting the
Brickworks market, where we very much miss seeing Jens Eller
and Cole from Marvellous Edibles farms. Tonight is movie night
and it's already late. So this post from last year seems perfect.

"If you ever get the chance to show in International shows,
I hope you do it.  Of course there is so much to learn -- how
to navigate, what to send, how to manage shipping, where
to stay.  But the most wonderful part of the whole experience
is the friendships you make that last.

This is a really rough, fast sketch of one of those friends
for me -- Miranda Brouwers -- an amazing artist, and 
fabulous friend.  We met in Florence Italy at the 2015 
Florence Biennale, and formed what we called The Happy
People group, to cheer other artists on through the 10 days
of exhibiting.

We showed together again at the Louvre in 2016. And have
kept in constant touch ever since. Miranda is currently
devoting her work to beautiful cards, T-shirts, invitations,
and art that helps people celebrate the important moments
in their lives. I will do a more refined drawing another time.
Meanwhile have fun Miranda."

I'm still friends with people I met in Florence, Paris and in
New York City who come from all over the world.
Miranda and I have seen each other in Europe again too.
And every time we talk on the phone (once
a week most of the time) -- the conversation starts with both
of us laughing. Such a treat!

Have a loving your life day!

In a world that can be terrifying -- I thank you for my happiness!

Tea Alone

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2013,

revised 2023

(This painting seems right for tonight!)

10 Reasons To Be Happy Today

I used the exercise 10 Reasons to be Happy that
I made up, (but it may not be original), with impressive
results when I was teaching Positive Psychology. 
At the start of a class I'd pick 10 people to go the
front of the room and start a sentence with, "I'm happy
because", and then say why.  I'd explain that the
reason could be very small -- as in, "I'm happy
because I caught the bus on time."  It was
amazing to see that the people who came to the front
of the class, said why they were happy, and let the class
clap for them -- got happier. It sounds like psychobabble magic,
but in fact it's the same principle as blogging and
showing work for artists, and as writing in a journal
and then reading it aloud to friends or people
in a writing group.  It gives people a voice.

Having a voice in art and in the world matters.  Getting a
chance to think about what makes you happy,
shifts your focus to the positive, and as I've told
you before, the former happiness teacher at Harvard
University, Shawn Achor, says that when we are
happy we think not only more creatively, but
better.  Here's today's list:

1. My wonderful husband.

2. Our family -- Christopher, Megan, Sam, Emily, 

Alice, Madeleine and James.

2. Our animals -- Sally the dog, and Monet the cat.
3. My friends both here in Toronto, and around the world
through the art world.

4. My life as an artist.
5. Our walks at Lake Ontario when it's not -18 Celsius.

6. Our neighbourhood.
7. Our city -- I love Toronto.

8. My good health.

9. The art groups I belong to -- The Heliconian club,
and The Don Valley Art Club.

10.You! 
I'll add a couple:

11. The wonderful people who cleared our
street today.

12. The people who collect my work.

Thank you for everything!!!

Have a loving your life day!

I like this now, and working on the behind the scenes

 

Toronto Man

Charcoal, acrylic ink, and

acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

I showed this Acrylic ink drawing on canvas in the Drawing from
Life show last year at the Heliconian Hall. At the time I was not
happy with it compared to the sketchbook drawing that inspired it. 
I like it now. 

The man is wearing a trench coat, because last year at this point
in the winter we had had mostly rain.  This year in January alone

we've had 88 centimetres of snow.  And that's a lot.

Behind the scenes in art for me? -- preparing canvasses with two
layers of gesso, searching through my references for inspiration,

organizing an art show. All good.

Anyway Toronto Man -- thank you for being an inspiration.

Have a loving your life day.

A short one tonight -- Happy rest of the week

 Ken's flowers

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Sold

A lot going on today -- plus painting, but the current piece is not
quite ready.  I dug my car out of the snow, which was quite a 
task.  Plus after work Steven helped me with the rest.  Hey I got
my steps -- so great.  

There will be more to say soon.  We're trying to organize an
April show.  Still a few details to sort out.

Have a loving your life day!

Snow, snow, snow

 

Snow in the backyard

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2026

A couple of days ago we had two feet of snow. Although it makes
many things more difficult, it's a good thing because in recent
winters we've had almost no snow in Toronto, and that is not 
good for the environment.  We need winter.

So despite the cold, and the inconvenience, Torontonians are of two minds, because they have no idea when it will disappear.  I haven't dug my car out yet, but the side roads are not much fun right now.  Two lanes don't exist, so each trip is a matter of intense negotiation.

Here’s a look at the backyard in this beautiful snow. Of course we
artists are enchanted, but it sure is cold.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to a great person and allow yourself to be happy

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

Today was an amazingly beautiful day after 2 feet of snow fell yesterday.
And today was our young family member's birthday. We're glad she's
a winter freak, and had a wonderful day!

I'm thinking about happiness because aside from constantly finding in
research that it's good for your health, it feels like a form of resistance
now.  As I say every time I express this, I mean that if we are living in
comfort -- have a roof over our heads, food to eat, enough money to
pay our bills -- we are blessed in a world full of turmoil, and need to
be grateful.

As artists our rebellion involves sharing the beauty we see. As people
we can rebel by doing everything we can to help others, and by
appreciating our joy.

It feels like a good moment to share this information from
a former post.  I taught positive psych as a college prof for
10 years.  Loved it and learned so much. I edited this a 
bit for the current moment.

"The Happiness Trick

Is there a trick to happiness?  Yes.  People have written books
about how.  But there is a secret to being happy.  We have to
allow it.  I heard about this phenomenon called the "Nocebo
response".  In medicine it is related to telling a patient that
they will not get better. This message apparently has such a
profound effect on the person's mind that she shuts the door
on hope, and may get rapidly worse.

My great happiness magic for today is to talk yourself out of
it.  Of the depression you could get because in this city many of
our cars are buried in snow banks, and digging them out takes a 
long time. It's been quite grey but today it was quite sunny for a while in

Toronto. And in painting of the fear that you can't do it.

Try this.  Instead of freaking out about what you can't do,
start with "This is easy!"  Just repeat that a few times, and
watch your shoulders quit tightening into a vice grip.
As for painting or drawing -- we need to take a look at how
tough things are in the world, and let ourselves know how lucky
we are to be compelled to make something, and to have the
 freedom to create."

Have a loving your life day!

They weren't kidding about the snow

Snowy day in Toronto
iPad drawing
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2019

Today the snow in Toronto is not a joke.  The weather people
projected 15 1/2 inches of snow, and I think we've got at least

that.  We've shovelled, neighbourhood kids shovelled agaiin,
and still the snow on our sidewalk to the house is about a foot

deep.

We had a wonderful family pre-birthday nonetheless, and it
feels wonderful to come inside after being out in the deep
landscape.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Monthaversary of our wedding day!

 

Steven and me in the lights
of Times Square in 2015.
We love New York City,
and hope to visit sometime
again when things change.  

Today is our Monthaversary of
our wedding day.

No we weren't in Times Square.

We were here in Toronto in

the freezing cold.

It's our Monthaversary of our wedding anniversary.  So what did we do?  
We went to the market this morning.  Our farmer we order everything
from is off for health reasons, so we met some new people.  The ride

through Rosedale Valley Road going home is exceptionally beautiful
with the trees and snow.

Thinking about happiness with so much frightening news, I found
this list of how I work on having a good day:

1.  Making a list of six things I want to accomplish in the day
really helps me to get them done.

2. If I write 2 - 3 pages in a journal, and do a sketch in my journal
I feel like the day has begun well.

3. Drinking a lot of coffee. Minimum 3, maximum 5.

4. Taking time to read.

5. Looking at what other people are doing creatively on Instagram, 

and YouTube.

6. Going into the studio, turning on music I like, and painting.

I have music I like on now while I write this.  So music helps
with so many things. 

Have a loving your life day!

Thursday in the freezing cold -- concentrating on being happy

 

The feeling of pink
Acrylic on birch panel 
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2019

It seems like the ideal day to try an exercise I used to do with
my positive psychology class -- 10 reasons to be happy.

So here goes -- it's minus 15 Celsius here, feels like minus

25. That's cold my friends.

So here we go:

10 Reasons to be happy

1. I did a good drawing today.

2. Instead of walking I stayed inside reading and planning.
It was still a bit chilly.

3. Our brilliant red Amaryllis bloomed again. Two huge 
flowers opened up today.

4. I got a wonderful card from my friend in The Netherlands
to celebrate that we've been friends for 10 years.  We met at The
Florence Biennale, and we talk once a week.

5. I have a couple of great books to read.

6.  Our dinner was delicious.

7. We have heat and hydro.

8. I have a sweet husband who loves me.

9. I'm planning some art shows for this year, and feel so excited. 

10. It's time to go and watch our delightful TV show with our animal
family (a cat and a dog.)

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband!

 Irises celebrate

Photo

Barbara Muir © 

Today is a special day for us, because we celebrate it
every month -- the date of our first date. 

What did we do on our first date? Steven and I went
out to dinner at a restaurant on Yonge Street south
of St. Clair that's no longer there. It featured a D.J.
and dancing.  

A friend of mine worked as a server there, and she brought us Singapore Slings -- which I don't think we ever had again. 
They were delicious, but when we drink it's mostly white
wine. 

Then Steven walked me home. And we have been "dating"
ever since. We married 11 months after our first date, and
the wedding Monthaversary is in two days on the 24th.

The photo today is of beautiful irises on the kitchen table.
I wish I knew where to buy them now. Our local flower

store isn't carrying them. So if you have any tips for
Toronto.  Let me know. 

Have a loving your life day!

Flowers lift us up

Cottage Flowers
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

Last night I had my first session this year with my art group, and I got a rough
portrait painted in the 35 minutes I had to paint.  (As I've said before -- Steven,

my husband drops me off, and picks me up exactly an hour later.) The model
Brian was wonderful, and it was good to see everyone again. Painting with
the group always makes me feel lucky, and like I want to keep painting.

So I wanted to share something happy tonight, because the news is grim
lately, and it's winter. This seemed perfect.  I've been working on a very
cheery painting of a bouquet from last summer, and that made me feel good.

It was a good day to notice what is beautiful -- a cold, dark and
snowy, but very beautiful day here in Toronto, Canada.  

Have a loving your lfie day!

 

Dreaming of the MoMA and New York City

 

 Salad Obsession

Acrylic on canvas

12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 
SOLD ♥

There was a time when New York City felt like a second home.
I loved the gallery I showed with there, and the gallery curator
is a sweetheart.  I exhibited my work for 10 years in NYC
and loved every minute of being there.  But things are very
different in the U.S. now.  Big hopes for Mamdani, but even
so.  Here's what I said in a former post:

"If there were ever a time when an escape dream would help,

this is one.  And I saw this painting of a delicious lunch
in the wonderful restaurant in the MoMA. I remember 
not only the food -- awesome, but the wonderful people we
got to talk to in New York.  I was telling someone today

that New Yorkers are so warm, and loved a conversation --
And the conversations were always both funny and brainy.

Fingers crossed that what's happening now is what
Jeffrey Gitomer would call a "temporary situation."
So I wish you a great day.

Of course the temporary situation now has been going
on for a year, and it gets more grim by the day.
But here's to my artist friends, trying to bring some
cheer into a hard time.

Have a loving your life day!

Great meeting about our show The Colour of Light in April

 

Morning  in Korea

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 

(I love this Skype painting
based on a very rough Skype

photo from when my son and his
wife (then girlfriend) were 

teaching English in Korea for a year. 

 Even the though the connections were

sometimes sketchy -- Skype let us keep
in touch, and the Skype sessions 
seeing each other meant so
much to us.)

I took a taxi to a meeting at the Heliconian Hall where we talked about

the show happening in April with work by Henrietta Walmark, Vivian
East and me.  Henrietta and Vivian are wonderful artists and I'm so
looking foward to showing with them. When I have the dates I'll let you
know.

During the taxi ride the driver and I talked about the state of the world,

and how we all needed to become more loving, and the words of this

former post about love seemed right:

"The image tonight seems right because my son and his wife spent a
year teaching English in Korea, and loved their life there.  And
the painting shows how much they love each other.

It is a supremely frightening time in the world, and for some reason,

a line from a Beatles song I heard while waiting in line at the grocery
store keeps coming into my head over and over.

The line is "love is all you need." The world really needs us to work on
being more loving. That sounds corny as all get out, but it’s true.
We need to quit warring, and competing, and trying to be the best, and
start caring more for other people, other cultures, other countries, and
for the whole planet.

A tall order, I know. Unrealistic probably. Essential yes.

I feel lucky to have been able to teach people how to be kinder to 
themselves, and more cooperative with others at the college level.

And (as I said to the taxi driver) to have learned so much from my
students about their worlds -- what they loved, the different parts of
the world they'd seen.The benefits for all involved were dramatic.
The lesson learned -- caring about others helps your life."

Have a loving your life day!  

A great day with family and friends -- now thinking about collectors

In the park
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Babara Muir © 
SOLD ♥

So much fun today with family and friends, making art, telling stories, 
dancing. the best. I love this painting of a happy family that I did 
awhile ago.

Here's what I said about it before:

"It was a Christmas present for the father, and delivered on Christmas eve

that year. The children were amazing, and I was inspired by the mother's

love for her children and her husband.  Her husband was very moved.

 One of the great pleasures of being an artist -- is understanding the
collector's wishes and making them happy.  I'm thinking about happiness tonight.
Despite worries and fears about what's happening in the world, it's important

to value and enjoy the times when all is well in your life.  It is, and
thank you so much everyone who makes my life so good."

Have a loving your life day. 

Perfect Saturday -- taking it easy, and running around getting things done

 

Napping with the cat

Watercolour and marker 

on watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 

I love this image because it's the dream of every Torontonian driving or
walking through snow, and deep puddled flooding our boots, and even
worse in shoes.

And we had a perfect day -- lots of hanging around talking and playing
with the animals, then going all over town getting things done and 
seeing the extreme beauty of the snow scenes.  Amazing.

Now it's movie night. Yay!

Have a loving your life day!

The beautiful and heavy snow makes me dream of escaping

Paris 
Photo

Barbara Muir © 2024

If you know me, you know I would probably want to escape to Paris.
I've been having fun today working on a little still life that needs
revising.  My colour tastes change all the time, and the work felt
dull. 

In a break I went out to clean off our car.  The snow was a foot and
a half deep in places.  And wow it looks so light, but it's heavy.
I worked on it for about half an hour, and am taking a short 
pause because I was getting tired.  A sip or two of hot chocolate,
talking to you, more colour on my painting, and I will finish
the job. 

So here's a Paris image for your pleasure.

Have a loving your life day!

Working with my friend—and of course shovelling

 

Studio lemons in a glass bowl 
Acrylic on cradled birch panel
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2017
SOLD ♥ 

I love this painting of the lemons in the beautiful antique bowl on our kitchen
 table. It’s late, we just had supper so this will be short. A super friend helped
 me today with endless technical difficulties. Solved. But now my computer is
 not working, so more to figure out.

Despite the frustration I’m very happy. And seeing the source of this painting
at dinner made me smile.

Have a loving your life day! 

Great last public opening of the Off The Wall show

August Colours

Acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2025

SOLD ♥ 

A super opening tonight at the Off The Wall show at the Heliconian Hall,
35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto. The show will be available by appointment
until the end of January. 

We met some amazing people, some great artists, and had delightful
conversations.  

Because it's a show of smaller paintings, there is an exciting variety of 
work, and I've loved sitting the show.  I was also selling Valentine's cards
-- four for $20.00. I'm a big fan of the Month of Love (February), and
believe the world needs to shift to a more loving way of operating. 

Have a loving your life day!

Thinking about my friend in Tucson and the power of flowers

Tulips for Tucson

Acrylic on watercolour paper

10.6 x 13.8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

Today was a busy day.  I was at a neighbourhood meeting with
wonderful friends in the morning, and trying to organize my files
and my studio all afternoon. Looking at my blog from this day last year

I found this vibrant painting of tulips that I like. January 2025 is

was horrific for people in Gaza, Ukraine, all of the conflict zones,
and for people dealing with the the new American leadership.
This year things seem to worsen daily, so we need flowers,
kindness and empathy.

I think of my wonderful artist friend in Tucson, and friends all over
the world. 

I hope you have flowers wherever you are.

Have a caring for others day.

Sending you the Happy Art Award

Back when I created this award people were 

giving each other awards on blogs,

so I made my own. I now follow 1,165
people on Instagram, mostly artists,
so it would be quite a task to name each of
them and describe their work.  Now 
it's more general, and just as important.
All of you get the Happy Art Award because
you make me happy.

Breakfast at the Skylight Diner, NYC

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

SOLD ♥ 

I was rearranging my studio today, then scrolling trough
older posts then found this, and I like it. The Happy Art
Award was invented by me at a time when all kinds of
awards were being handed out in the blog world.  Here's
what I wrote about it:

"The Happy Art Award started out as The Barbara Muir
Happy Art Award -- a kind of Oscar for artists designed
by me.  Why me you ask?  Why not? I thought it up one
day in response to the many blog awards published at the
time, and sent it out to all the artists on my blog list.

If you're reading this, you have won the award, and one
day when I am very rich there will be a monetary prize
attached.  But for now to all my artist friends, collector
friends, art appreciator friends, art inspiring friends,
galleries, and art show curators, writers -- to everyone in short
who helps me get this job of art done -- you win my sweet
award.  Your art, friendship, support makes me happy and
that's a win/win all 'round."

In a world so filled with tension, cruelty and worry
there has never been a more important time to help one
another feel happy.

Have a loving your life day!

Great Holiday dinner with family

 

True love means springtime in any weather

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

© Barbara Muir 

We had a happy holiday dinner and gifts with family today.  So 
wonderful.  We had so much fun, and a delicious dinner. It's
such a treat being with family -- a  very happy time!

Tomorrow it's full on back to work, and tonight I'm thinking about
what I want to do with my work in the next few months.  That's
is pretty exciting.

This is the last card in the pack of four cards I'll be selling at

the Off The Wall showon Wednesday night this week, at 
35 Hazelton Ave. between 4 and 7:30.  I have many paintings for

sale, and so do the other artists.  All the work in the show is priced

at this $200 or less.  Plus we will have treats, and coffee, and we'd

love to see you there. 

Have a loving your life day!

Great opening -- loved seeing you there!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Bluebird

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

Loved seeing you and meeting you at the second last 
Off The Wall show opening from 2-5 p.m. today. It was super.
This is the third card in the 4 card set of Valentine's cards

I'll be selling again at the last opening -- this Wednesday
January 14 from 4 - 7:30 p.m. at 35 Hazelton Ave.,

Toronto. Please come out.  More delicious treats, coffee,

and great art!

It's movie night now, so I'll make this short. Wednesday's 

opening is exactly one month before Valentine's Day, so

you might want to get ready!

Have a loving your life day!