Journal Sketch
(from today, Toronto)
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024
Yesterday I drew this portrait as I listened to an excellent podcast on Alyson Stanfield's podcast site. There are 180 podcasts on her site, and they are all wonderful for artists like me. I enjoyed the experience of trying to capture the woman's elegant look while I listened.
Meanwhile yes I am painting, and planning new work. Lots is going on.
Have a loving your life day.
Is that a real thing? I don't know. I've been painting all day on and off, and when I stop, I've been lying down or reading -- and sinking into the exhaustion that's been with me for the past week. I think it started with bad -- delicious take out -- that I ate after putting it in a cooler without enough ice. Not sure.
What I've been working on is not ready to show you. Plus blogger is not working on this computer, because Google is messed up. So Please accept a drawing I quite like of my bed after a nap.
Have a loving your life day.
For the past week I’ve been recovering from some kind of queasy stomach. So today I planned to take it easy because although I feel much better I’m still tired. Taking it easy today meant working on a painting I’m revising that’s in process, and starting a new small painting and blocking it in. It’s been a beautiful, sunny day here in Toronto, so I sat on the back porch taking it in with a coffee.
This drawing seems perfect for the subject— taking it easy. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Have a loving your life day.
(Still having computer issues, so please forgive the mixed up spacing on this.)
At the boat launch — Port Philip
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir revised ©️2024
(The irony of this cheery blog is that Google
Chrome won’t work now on
my computer and I have to write this caption
on my phone. Not ideal)
You read a lot about nostalgia -- remember back when...?
And then for an artist there is infinite advice on planning.
How about owning now? My husband and I sit on our
back porch in the white painted wicker chairs watching
birds flit in and out of our Christmas tree that a friend attached
to one of our trellises against the fence. Steven spills bird
seed onto the tree, and the birds love it. It gives that tree
a whole new life. Yes by the end of March it will be over,
but in the now it is amazing.
How about drawing in the now? Looking at something
that pulls you in, and making it into an image. Walking
into the studio and thinking, 'what if I do this?,' and
doing it.
That's what's happening to this painting. I put it on
my bedroom wall for a few days and ideas for changes
leapt out at me. So Now -- I am changing it.
Have a loving the now day.
Footnote: I may take a short break from blogging if Google continues to ruin the look of my blog, until I figure out what’s happening. Sorry. I did have a wonderful day, and I’ll figure out how to keep you posted on what I’m changing with this. Thanks for your patience.
It was a super opening for the All That Jazz show today.
I had been feeling not great all week, I think from food
poisoning from eating on the road. I tested and did not
have COVID and I really wanted to go to the opening
today. I did feel well and wore a mask, but I admit I
am super tired now, and my blog will be a bit short,
and not comprehensive.
The show at the Heliconian -- see the invitation
from yesterday is beautiful. It is so joyous, and I'm happy
to be part of it. My painting Colours of Joy is quite high
up in the corner at the front of the space, I hope if you
go, you'll look up and see it.
Colours of Joy
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024
A treat for me and Steven was that some of my family
came out to see the show (see the first photo). My grandson, James, who is one and
a half, made friends with a visitor to the show, Susan
Harrington, and kept going back to where she was sitting
to talk to her.
If you're in Toronto, I hope you do get to see the show.
It is well worth it.
Have a loving your life day.
It’s March 1, and I am determined to enjoy this month as much as
much as possible. Tomorrow is the opening of the Heliconian Art
Club’s All That Jazz abstract exhibition. I have a piece in it that I
showed you yesterday. The opening runs from 2-5 at 35 Hazelton
Ave., Toronto. I’ll be there from 2- 2:30 p.m.
I think it’s a beautiful show, and you will love it.
Have a loving your life day.
