Happy Robbie Burns Day

Robbie Burns

Black marker on paper

6 x 9 1/2 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

I drew this portrait of Robbie Burns last year on January 25, officially

Robbie Burns day, a day to celebrate the poet and all things Scottish.

Some friends of ours introduced us to the great tradition of Robbie

Burns nights at the Caledonian in Toronto, and we're going to hear

the pipes (bagpipes), see the Highland dancers, and eat a traditional

Scottish meal -- with (yes) Haggis tomorrow.  This has become a

thing -- and a great treat it is.

I found this delightful animation of a Robbie Burns portrait saying

his famous poem To A Mouse.  I hope you enjoy it.  I've spent

my painting day with my head in the clouds -- a place I seem to

be very happy with.   Coming soon -- to a blog near you -- a very

large landscape with clouds -- 6 feet tall, and 4 feet wide.  Your

painter friend is 5ft. 4" -- so it is bigger than I am.  And built well

on a very hefty frame.  So far an absolute treat to work on.

Work in Process (detail)

Acrylic on canvas

6 ft. x 4 ft.

Barbara Muir © 2018

I'll toast the Scottish in you tomorrow night.  

Have a Happy Robbie Burns Day.

Being alive -- let's share the joys in life

In a park by the lake -- happiness

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2018

(available)

This painting is certainly about loving life.  I think maybe
that's what all of my art is about.  It isn't that I don't know
the downside of life, I'm well aware that there is so
much to be sad about in this world.  But I do feel that those
of us who are lucky enough to see the beauty around us,
to appreciate small things,  to love what nature offers, and
to care about the people who make our lives magnificent --
need to share our bounty.

That doesn't mean we have our heads in the sand,  or that
 we don't take action against cruelty, wrong doing,
the ills of this world.  It means as artists with an ability
to create and record the vitality of this planet and
its people -- we want to share what we see.

Today's painting is still in process.  And the process has
taken a long time -- since last summer.  But it is sooo
close and I want to share it now.  Thank you for being
out there, and being my inspiration and support.

Have a telling your good stories day.

P.S. if you have a good news story to share, please
write about it in the comments section.  1 would
absolutely love to read it!

2017 -- The big lessons -- Love and kindness

No Contest -- Nature Wins!

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2016

SOLD ♥ 

Last year I had a list of 10 things I learned in 2016.  This year one
of the major lessons that leaps out at me is that Kindness is a quality
I value.  It has been a full year.  So much joy, so many
hard times, so much happiness and so much sorrow.

This is what powers me -- kindness, love and humour -- and
 a wonderful, growing, dynamically creative art community.
You've reached out to me, taught me, encouraged me, exhibited
my work, bought my work, helped me in so many ways, and made
this artistic journey such a wonderful experience.

Through the mass of emotions in 2017, what has emerged for me
is the vital importance of love and kindness.  Thank you to everyone who
stepped up to the plate for me, and my family this year.

We have had two close family members going through hard
medical treatments.  We've lost two family members to death,
and are grieving them, and are determined to live a positive, happy
life remembering them every day.  We've suffered injuries
and kept on trucking.

Miraculously through the hard times, art and my friends here, on the
blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have helped show me how
to keep heading back to the happiness I rely on.  Thank you.

Here's to a joyous, amazing, prosperous, healthy and adventurous 2018.
Thank you all for making my life amazing. 

Super fun -- and still time to get work to you for your Holiday!

Amy McNeill, Miriam Kaufman and me (Barbara Muir)

 in front of the wall with my paintings. 

Dear friends,

What a year in art! I'm glad it finished off with a lovely and intimate show in a
working artists and artisans' studio.  A great vibe for an exhibition and
excellent company.  Thank you to Miriam (Meej) for organizing the show,
for her gorgeous jewellry, (yes of course I bought a piece!),
and for leading guests on a tour of the space. Thank you to Amy McNeill
for her great ceramics, and cool abstract figurative pieces.  And for her joyous spirit.
We had fun conversations and someone will be the lucky recipient of one of her
holiday stained glass pieces.

Thanks to Gill Cameron, who couldn't be with us this weekend, but whose
gorgeous watercolour work made a beautiful contribution to the show.
Also thanks to Gill for her card display and space for my cards too.  We both
did very well with our packs of note cards.

 I want to thank Daniel Anaka for manning the door and helping people find us.
The Akin Artisans Studios are in a former factory, and Miriam Kaufman's studio
is down an outside walk, and then a bit of a hallway to her door.  More than worth
the short walk.

Thanks to my sweet husband Steven van Schaik, who hung the show for
me with great care and patience, and who was on hand if we needed
him.

And thanks to all our guests, who came out, bought our work, enjoyed
spending some time with us, and made the show a success!

Happy Holidays.

Art Show with Friends -- Great fun!

Me, Miriam Kaufman and Amy McNeill in front of Miriam's wall

of handcrafted jewelry.

Some of the work I have in the show

© Barbara Muir 2017

In Amy McNeill's cool studio with her abstract 

figure paintings.

I was invited by Miriam Kaufman to take part in a dynamic
pop-up show in the studio where she works.  Miriam and
another studio artist, Amy McNeill, Gill Cameron, and I all
set up for a pop-up show on Friday night.

It was great fun, and we decided to leave the work up, and
have another pop-up show and party today between 2 and 5 p.m.

Have a coming to an art show day.

Moving into new colours -- Pink!

Untitled (Work in Progress)

Acrylic on cradled birch wood

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

What inspired this?  Maybe the Pink Show in California
curated by William Wray, maybe the endless pink
light shows we get by the sea both morning and evening
in Nova Scotia.  Maybe all the stories about women
coming forward and asking for justice.  Maybe I just
wanted to try it.

So I started small, and this is a work in progress.

Have a super pink day!

Dog Love -- I've got it!

Kinney

Acrylic on canvas

12 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

SOLD ♥ 

I am so grateful to my friends and family who buy my art.
But I have to say this -- painting commissions for family
who pay the going rate is terrifying.  How could I possibly
care more about the outcome?

So I am happy to say that this little doggy, commissioned by my
son for his wonderful girlfriend, went home to a joyous reception.
Whew!  I was sad to see him go, because I'd fallen quite in love with
the dog.  And  since I began work on him, have had great conversations
about dogs, especially dachshunds and David Hockney's paintings of
Dachsunds in Dog Days.  But today the ultimate reward.  My son's lovely
girlfriend was happy with the portrait.  And that's why this painter paints --
to create work that people love.

Have a thanking-your-collectors day.
P.S. Ever since I got the commission -- I've had this song on my
brain.  Who Let the Dogs Out?