Wrapping it up

Aren't we lucky!
(work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2025

I think (and I can't be sure) that I'm finished my newest painting for the 
Art of Celebration, my solo show at the Heliconian Club, opening this
coming Saturday -- April 5, 2025 from 2 - 5 p.m.  Looking at it I of course
see things that need changing. Maybe. New picture coming. Lol.

So it's coming together. Now for more list making, checking, packing,
planning.  Some of you (many of you) have done solo shows and
know there is a lot to do, and it's easy to feel like you're behind.
So with your kind inspiration I am staying positive.

Whew -- getting there. I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Mother's Day to mothers in the United Kingdom

 

The baby's sleeping

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 

(This painting captures my feelings about

motherhood perfectly.  No matter how

grown up your children become, this early

beautiful time, and the powerful

feelings of new motherhood last for mothers

throughout their children's lives.

That's why we are so protective, so

crazy, so fiercely proud, and so loving.

A heady mixture.  Enjoy kids!)

It is Mother's Day in the United Kingdom today, but not in Canada.
Happy Mother's Day to UK mothers.

Getting ready for a solo show is a busy time -- exciting yes, but aside from
painting -- finishing some new works, revising older works (thank you
Mitchell Johnson for inspiring me to do that), and just gathering and 
planning -- it is delightfully time consuming.  In a way the perfect
escape from world news, and the constant worry lurking and ready
to overwhelm us. 

I learned a couple of days ago that a wonderful artist, and teacher
Skip Lawrence died. I studied with him in California, and he inspired
me to switch from watercolour to acrylics.  He was a fabulous teacher. So
I was sorry to hear that.  His main message about painting was that
painting created joy, and I completely agree.  Thank you Skip.

Have a loving your life day!

Delighted to show this next Saturday

Tea Alone

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © revised 2023

This painting, one of my favourites, will be in my solo show next Saturday.  Please come out between
2 -- 5 p.m. to the Heliconian Hall at 35 Hazelton Ave., on Saturday April 5. I am really looking 
forward to seeing you there.

It's Saturday night, which is movie date night for me and Steven.  We spent a wonderful afternoon

with family, and are looking forward to finding a funny movie to watch.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

Plus have a loving your life day!

 

Getting ready!

Robin earns his stripes

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

Today a fellow artist from the Heliconian Club came over to look at the paintings
I’m planning to include in my show, and to talk about plans for the day of
my first opening – next Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 5 p.m., 35 Hazelton Ave.,
Toronto. We were mainly looking at big paintings, so didn't get around to
small ones like this.  But it is Robin season in Toronto, so I may include it.

My friend was delightfully calm, and it was a happy meeting. If you are in
Toronto next weekend – I’d love to see you. At the opening, I I know it’s
gonna be a lot of fun!

Have a loving your life day!

A great painting day

 

Untitled -- Work in progress
Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2025

There are days when paintings just come together, almost magically.  It was a beautiful day
today, and I spent most of it in my studio, happily working on finishing touches on some
work.  This needs a bit more refining -- that will happen, and I'm very happy with it.  You

can see the finished work next Saturday, April 5 -- from 2 - 5 p.m. at the Heliconian Hall,
3rds 5 Hazelton Ave., Toronto.

I had been working on this and not finishing it for a few years -- and today -- all is well.

Have a loving your life day!

The sweetness of snow

Night shot -- Sudden spring snowfall
Photo: 
Barbara Muir © 2025

It was starting to be full on spring here -- snowdrops (the flowers) were showing up
in people's gardens. The Type bookstore in Forest Hill Village on Spadina that I love
had a flower box of tulips outside.  And then a day ago, at about this time (evening)
 -- I looked out and the snow was back, covering everything.  My phone lit up the
photos, so you don't get the full effect, but it was awesome.  Then of course it all melted 

But today at lunchtime -- large movie style snowflakes were falling.  They didn't last,
but they sparkled in the sunlight, and looked so beautiful.  Then of course full on
spring sun made them disappear.

Later I was walking my dog, and another dog walker and I laughed about the snow.
It had returned in very small sporadic flakes.  We agreed that it was beautiful, and
then laughed and said that we were clearly Canadian.

Have a loving your life day.

Art of the kitchen -- a sweet still life

 

Kitchen scene
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2025

Hi dear friends,

I am super tired tonight, after a great day painting, and a lovely walk
with a friend. So I don't like to show you work until it's complete.
Instead I'll let the delightful available still life from the kitchen
be the art on the blog tonight.  

Have a loving your life day.