Wednesday, September 16, 2026

The appeal of names

 

Self portrait sketch
Me as a teenager
Watercolour on
 watercolour paper
11 x 14 inches
Barbara Muir ©

At this point in my life it's too late to change my name,
but I know what name I'd pick if it was a simple 
exercise. Of course it's not.  Endless government forms,
and insurance and a lot of hours spent explaining, and
even spelling.

Here's what I wrote about it before:

"Ever since I met Alessandra, Mascitti, (who was
the wonderful co-ordinator for the Russo brothers
when they exhibited artists like me in the Carousel du
Louvre exhibitions) I have wanted to
change my first name from Barbara to Alessandra.

I won’t be doing this, but when I write a note to my husband,
I sign it Barbara and then in a separate space Alessandra,
Gloria Galletti. Galletti (many different spellings) was the
family name of my Italian great, great, great grandmother. And
Alessandra Gloria Galletti is the name I wish I could have.

Few people understand this because my regular name --
Barbara Muir --has been good to me, so they believe,
(understandably) that I should be happy with it. And I am.

But if I could wave a magic wand and change my name
that would be my name."

Have a loving your life day!

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Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!