#9 What I continued to learn in 2025 - humour is such a gift!

Steven and Me laughing
I know that I'm lucky I married
a man who loves to laugh. 
This photo was taken during the holidays 

quite a few years ago, but laughter remains a
major part of our family life with way more
stockings on the fireplace. Our whole family is lucky.
Photo
Chris Muir © 

It wasa very good year -- I had a solo show, and met so many lovely
funny people. so I'd have to say it was a great year -- so much love, 

for me great art shows. 

And the thing I continue to learn over and over is that funny people
(basically my whole family), make life so much better. That
doesn't mean that sorrow, loss, hardship aren't part of the picture.
It means the ability to enjoy life, and to see what is funny is 
so important.  Thank you for all of the laughter you gave me
in 2025.

Have a loving your life day.

 

The eighth thing I learned again in 2025 -- my love of Paris and our friends there continues

Maison Sauvage 

Rue de Buci, Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

The eighth thing I realized again in 2024 is that I love Paris -- more than ever.
This year we couldn't visit Paris and we were sad about it.We did visit the Musée D’Orsay, and the Orangerie.  The first time we walked to the

Last year we visited the Musée D'Orsay it was closed. We sat down on a curb to watch young 
skateboarders jump off a five foot high structure onto the concrete below.  Of
the five in the line to try it, only one didn't fall.  We were amazed that they could
 pick themselves up, and try unsuccessfully again. And again!

After that we walked happily back to our hotel. We saw friends and just loved
every minute there.

Of course it is my dream to go again.  And if you can, I hope you do.

Have a loving your life day.

 

Great afternoon at the Heliconian Off The Wall show

Help yourself

Acrylic on canvas

12 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2025

SOLD ♥ 

A great day today at the Heliconian Hall holiday Off The Wall
show.  This is one of my paintings that sold, to a wonderful
collector.  Thank you so much to everyone who bought my
work.

It was a lovely mood today -- lots of treats for people to eat,

and our holiday music.  So fun!  If you haven't seen the
work please come out on Wednesday from 4 - 7:30 p.m.

to 35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto.  The building was a church
until 1909 when it became and art club, so come on in! 
(Not a church).

We will have wonderful treats and goodies like we had today,
and coffee, and we would love to see you. 

Have a loving your life day!

My message today is simple

 

Such an exciting meeting -- come out to our art show on Sunday!

Snow scene on Cherrywood

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 
(This painting is the
work on my holiday cards.
It's a view of the house
across the street.)

I'm supposed to be writing about the 5th thing I learned in 2025.  Okay
-- You never know what wonderful things can happen.  Yesterday
at the Off The Wall art show at the Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton in
Toronto I was going out to the street to ask people to come in.  A fellow
came in, asked if he could go up on the stage at the back of the Hall.
He saw the grand piano and got excited then he began to sing, and 
his voice was miraculous.  We asked him to continue and he sang
a beautiful holiday song.  It was so moving that a visitor to the show
started crying.

That singer came off the stage.  I asked his name, and if he was a 
singer full time, and he said that he was currently in a show
called We Will Rock You.  I said that I was going to the show
that night, and he hugged me and said wait after the show to
see him again.  That was so exciting. Caleb Ajao plays Brit in the show
We Will Rock You, currently playing at the Ed Mirvish Theater.

So we went to the show last night, and it was amazing, and Caleb is a star 
in the show.  Just beyond awesome to watch.  Afterwards we saw him
and he hugged me and my husband, and we told him how fantastic he
was, and the whole show was just stunning. 

So that's my story.  Who would know sitting a show on a quiet afternoon
at my art club, that this would happen?  So incredibly cool!

Thank you to everyone who has attended the show so far. You make
us artists so happy. 

If you haven't seen the exhibition, please come out on Sunday from
1 - 4 p.m.

Have a loving your life day!

A day of wonder -- I'll explain tomorrow

 

Cottage Flowers
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

If you are near 35 Hazelton Ave. in Toronto, please drop by the Off The 
Wall show at the Heliconian Hall.  It's quite beautiful, and I will be there
from noon until 3 p.m.

It's going to be a short post tonight.  Hang in with me,  More tomorrow.

We got home late from the fabulous music production of 
We Will Rock You.  So it's bedtime.

Have a loving your life day!

Another thought that repeats -- Lesson #2 of 2025 -- people who love are loving

Wonder Water Image #5
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
Emily, my son Sam's wife.
This painting was exhibited Florence 
and sold in New York City
SOLD ♥

I'm sharing a message that grows more powerful for me every year. "Today my message is the same as last year, and even more important. Hang around people who love things -- the chances are really good that they will be more loving. So I am repeating last year's post from this day:

"It is my daughter-in-law Emily's birthday, and Steven and I feel
so delighted that she is part of our family. She is kind, funny and loving.
I did this portrait of her in 2015. And we love Emily.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Thinking of the concept of love. I am borrowing some thoughts
from a post from a couple of years ago. It would be hard to match the love I feel
for my family and friends. And it's my experience that people who throw
that word around, who love people, and paintings, music, humour, ice cream,
and flowers, and coffee, and wine, and pretty clothes, and their jobs -- also
love each other, the environment, the planet, fairness, equality and will fight,
not in a shallow way, to take care of the people, the neighbourhood, the city,
the country, the planet that they love.
I am all for spreading love, for loving as much as possible -- for complimenting
a book, a movie, a friend, a loved one. We are trained to be reticent,
and it isn't getting us anywhere. So guess what? I love that you are reading this.
And please go out and gush over your family and friends. Love, love, love.
You cannot ever love enough in this lifetime."

Have a loving your life day.