I almost (that's a proviso) understand the primitive urge to pacify
the gods with foods, and wine and whatever it took to bring the sun
back and let the crops grow. Tonight the Internet is shaky here, so
if you've written to me today, I'll respond tomorrow to everything
when the system is not so blocked. It would wake the neighbours
up to chant and carry on. We did light candles at dinner, but I
don't think I could bluff the Internet into thinking that that was
more than our dinner time ritual -- more connected to warmth
light and beauty, than to getting the electronic world on our side.
I am not addicted to blogging, because my other rich life carries
on. For instance in two minutes it's time to go and watch Jon
Stewart. But I do love reading my friends' blogs, learning about
what and how they are painting, seeing what matters in their
lives. This means the world to me. Okay you're making me
nervous. I couldn't sacrifice anything except maybe my breakfast
cereal after I've had a bowl. Does that require special costume,
over and above a flannel nightie and thick socks? I've never been
too good at this. I wasn't even a girl scout. All that saluting and
formality made me nervous, and the uniforms were the wrong
colour.
Enough said, come back baby, come back. Forgive me Internet.
My modern mind suggests that it may be my American friends
Googling about the election (let's face it all of my Canadian friends
are enthralled and on edge about the American elections too).
Plus it snowed today, so weather may be spoiling my fun.
All I'm saying is I want the problem over with.
It was a superb day at school today, after negotiating the ice
in the parking lot with my healing but terrified ankle, I
loved every minute in the place. The teachers in my area
were in a highly jovial mood, the students were working hard
writing, and putting on excellent presentations. I felt lucky
to be alive and doing what I do.
The image tonight is one I posted earlier, but the photograph
was so poor that you couldn't really see what it looked like.
The model was Tia Reid, a former neighbour, who is off
at university now doing great things. She is a brilliant
girl, had frighteningly high marks all through high school,
and was an exceptional model. I'd like to get her back
sometime when she's in town. This painting is in a
weird way a homage to Richard Diebenkorn, even though it
looks nothing like his work. It reminded me of the
Californian light.
Have a keeping-the-blogging-gods-happy day.
Showing posts with label miss you too much.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miss you too much.. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The thrill of painting
One of the great things about painting, for those of
you who haven't been doing it lately, is that it
occupies your mind. When you start painting
every day, you go to sleep thinking about color,
and placement -- how to enhance, or fix what you
did that day. You paint in your dreams, and plan
new work. All of the anxious spaces in your mind
that could be filled with worry get filled up
with light, line, blue, gold, red, purple, yellow,
orange -- and of course black and white.
If you're not painting, start again. If you've never
painted, start and keep going. If you are painting,
high five, and here's to you!
I'm including a small, loose portrait I was working
on today when I'd take a break from my big
portrait. I like the style a lot. It's based on a
friend of mine, but I don't care if it's a
likeness -- I just wanted to try something
different. I'll probably change the chin. Maybe
that's all.
Steven made bread tonight while we watched a
movie. What a beautiful sight. Both the
movie and the home baked, healthy bread.
Have an eating-fresh-bread-day!
you who haven't been doing it lately, is that it
occupies your mind. When you start painting
every day, you go to sleep thinking about color,
and placement -- how to enhance, or fix what you
did that day. You paint in your dreams, and plan
new work. All of the anxious spaces in your mind
that could be filled with worry get filled up
with light, line, blue, gold, red, purple, yellow,
orange -- and of course black and white.
If you're not painting, start again. If you've never
painted, start and keep going. If you are painting,
high five, and here's to you!
I'm including a small, loose portrait I was working
on today when I'd take a break from my big
portrait. I like the style a lot. It's based on a
friend of mine, but I don't care if it's a
likeness -- I just wanted to try something
different. I'll probably change the chin. Maybe
that's all.
Steven made bread tonight while we watched a
movie. What a beautiful sight. Both the
movie and the home baked, healthy bread.
Have an eating-fresh-bread-day!
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Portrait Artist
- Barbara Muir
- 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!