Detail Untitled Painting (Work in Progress)
Big reveal on Monday
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
No I'm not in any way comparing myself to Botticelli.But I do love his work, and he painted babies beautifully
in his many Madonnas. But as I was working on this
little baby's face I was aware of the criticism often
leveled at painters of children and babies. As a portrait
artist, all ages of people matter to me. And as a person
I have always loved babies. As a little girl I lived with
a doll in a carrier on my back, and could think of no
nobler pursuit than being a mother.
Being a mother has been a joyful role for me, and
one that always added to my excitement about life
in general. I'm not saying it isn't hard raising little
children, but it is infinitely rewarding and joins you
to the rest of humanity in a profound way.
This baby is destined for a happy life in a vibrant
family, and perhaps my reason for painting him is
to wish all babies the love and nurturing they need
to step into the human race with confidence and
help the planet. Maybe Botticelli had the same
wish for his infant models.
Have an enjoying-the-babies-you-know day.
