Happy Halloween

Halloween Trick or Treaters get the candies
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2022

On top of Halloween being a family member's birthday, tonight
I was teaching my once a week writing course, and my students
had a test.  So this was a special day all round.

We set up a table on the front porch, with a big bowl of
candy, and Steven sat at the other side of the porch
and told the children to take two candies each.  At
the end of the evening, he went in to get something,
and when he came out some children had done us
the favour of emptying the bowl.  Excellent.

Happy Halloween. 

Have to get ready

Our porch on a rainy, windy Halloween night.

The canvas pumpkin princess reigns supreme.

She is pinned at the bottom, and

stuffed with newspapers.  We 

recycle the paper.  She goes flat and

rolls up to be put away for next year
when the fun is over. 

Very inspired by so many artists today. And by the gorgeous
day we had.  We are not ready for Halloween.  We have the 
pumpkins, but Steven hasn't carved them.  And we haven't put 
up our pumpkin princess.  I am not into the death's head,
gruesome part of Halloween, all the more unpleasant when
friends have died -- as is true of the past year.

Still I love the spirit of celebration -- so we've bought the
candy, and even though I will be teaching at Trick or Treat
time, Steven can put the candy out on a table on the porch, and
sit masked on the other side, letting kids take their own. Last
year we said two candies each.  Bur by the end of the night
kids were taking as much as they wanted.

The image today is from an earlier Halloween when we were
ready. Check.

Have a loving your life day.

Flowers to sketch

Nasturtiums in a cream jug
Acrylic ink and marker
5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Barbara Muir © 2022 

A treat about being back home is that the fall season is
at its peak, and the garden is still looking amazing. I
wake up every morning worried that this will be the
day when all of that beauty is gone. But so far -- awesome.

Today I'm showing you a fast sketch of our beautiful
nasturtiums in a cream jug.  

Have a loving your life day.

About time

One of the famous, beautiful clocks
at the Musée D'Orsay, Paris
Reminder that time is of the
essence.
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2015

The stories of other artists inspire me. Today I went through
the Instagram posts of a wonderful artist, and just the sheer
volume of beautiful work blew me away. In the Musée D'Orsay
in Paris this week (pinch me -- yes that was this week --
Tuesday) there was a huge painting on the wall in two pieces
by Monet.

Another huge clock at
the Musée D'Orsay
looking over the river Seine
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2015

Being a huge fan of Monet, I read the tag on the wall, which,
if I remember properly, was about Monet trying to compete
with Manet's Dejeuner sur l'herbe, but needing money for
rent so he cut his huge painting up to try and sell it. We think
of Monet as rich, and also most of the main floor of
the L'Orangerie gallery in Paris is dedicated to his waterlily paintings --
which are huge.  So it's hard to imagine him being insecure.  But
apparently he was in awe of his friend's work.

Untitled 
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2022

I came home to Toronto (yes - Canada) determined to get over
my COVID-makes-it-hard-to-work blues.  This little painting
is on the easel and it's getting done. 

Have a loving your life day

The Re-entry

 

How's it going
Black marker on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

When you fly to another city across the ocean, to
participate in an event, all that you can think about
is preparing, and how it's going to be.  Coming 
back to your life before doesn't enter your mind.

But then you're back -- a transformative week between
you in the present, and the person you were before
you met and talked to people from all over the world
about art and every other subject.

Before I go back to bed to try and catch up on some
sleep from the 24 hours we were awake yesterday,
I just want to say that Toronto has been kind -- beautiful
weather and we took a walk in our favourite park.

My image tonight is an Inktober drawing from before
I knew there was such a thing.  It's a Skype image
of my husband Steven calling in from somewhere in
the world, and the style of phone is amusing, as that
shape is not something you'd find in hotel phones
anymore.  I like the use of line in the drawing and
Steven's expression.  

Have a loving your life day.

Chez nous

Our cat Monet

eager to hear about

the work by Monet

in Paris.

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2022

We have just landed in Toronto.  Our plane ride back from Paris
was uneventful -- except that Air France serves delicious food
and wine, in the regular section.

We were very sad to leave Paris, and all of the people who were
so kind, generous and fun with us. And it's lovely to be home with
our animals, and in our own city.

Thank you to EA Editore for inviting me to be in the Carousel
du Louvre, and for giving me the Paris award.  It was such
a treat to be in Paris.  Thank you to our friend, Alessandra Masha
Mascitti for making us feel welcome, and for being so delightful.

Have a loving your life day.

Our last day

 

Clouds over the Seine

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2022

If you've never been to Paris, and you get the opportunity
to go, do yourself a favour.  The city is so beautiful, that
we are both in love with it, and in awe looking at all the gorgeous
views.

For an artist this is an ideal place.  So many galleries, and
beautiful museums with legendary fine art.  

Downside? Way too much to enjoy and explore.  

People are here loving the place, from all over the world.
It's exciting.  Our waiter last night was teaching me how to
say thank you in Cambodian.  Then we got into a discussion
about his parents.  His father is Cambodian, and his mother is
from Bangladesh, so he feels closer to Bangladesh.  He's in
Paris studying marketing. 

These stories abound, and make Paris extra special.

Goodbye Paris.

Have a loving your life day.