For the love of houses

 

 Nova Scotia Dreamscape

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2012

When you drive out to the Maritimes from
a central industrial city like Toronto, the pleasures
of getting away are many.  It's a long, long drive,
but the air gets cleaner, and cleaner the whole
way -- until you reach Moncton, New Brunswick
where it smells like clover in the summer.  But another
one of the huge anticipated treats of getting back
"home" to the Maritimes is the sighting on the
horizon of a white clapboard house standing
at the top of a hill, or in a field.  When I come
upon a bunch of sweet buildings in the classic
child's drawing house shape, I feel like a kid in
a candy shop.

Today's painting is a very loose, abstract view
of a cluster of clapboard buildings.  Mmmm.

Have a loving-your-favorite-landscape day.

Come to Artwalk this weekend and Kitty wants to play the piano

 Down to the sea with Dad

Stages 4 and 5

Acrylic on canvas

12 x 36 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

(Now I've added some sky.  I may

do more with that another day.  I need

to finish the figures, the walkway,

and add some light on the grasses,

and that's it.  It already reminds

me powerfully of our favorite

beach at high tide.)

I told you that my impulsive husband bought a piano.
And I added that we don't play.  I mean we both took
lessons for a short time as children, but all we have now
is desire.  Well today the piano tuner came, and did
that, "which do you want first -- the good news, or the
bad news?" thing.  Bad news she needs some repair,
and some tuning.  Good news she has not been harmed.

Fiona hits the keys.

That's good because Fiona already is practicing for her
kitty plays the piano video.  She is certainly one of the
smartest cats I've ever known.  Incredibly intrigued.  So
the tuner absolutely winced when he listened to the piano,
but apparently the piano will be a good one when he's
finished fixing it.  Luckily he had the comedic timing of
a stand up comedian, and he says it's just fine in our basement.
Hey.... as soon as she's all tuned up kitty will learn to play.
And so will I.

Tomorrow is my opening party for Artwalk, and Saturday and
Sunday my studio is open from noon - 4 p.m.  If you're in the
area, please drop in.  If you are planning to visit Toronto and
come to see me, email me if you need directions.

Have a getting-ready-to-boogie day

P.S. Hit the line above for a musical interlude