In the mood for Paris -- the urge to travel for art

Me with Alessandra Masha Mascitti

in front of my painting in the Carrousel du Louvre Exhibition

Dream Selfie -- Wonder Water Image #7, Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2016
SOLD ♥

Travelling for art shows is not free.  Immediately people

I know who always know what to do in every situation
chime in with, "you could do this...or you could
do this!"  The facts are -- yes I know very well what
the options are, AND, I'd still like to do it.

Notre Dame in Paris before it 

suffered a fire this year.

So.  Today if I were throwing a dart at the globe spinning
before me -- I would choose Paris.  I am straight up with
no holds back in love with Paris.  I feel for Paris taking
a hit on its iconic cathedral -- Notre Dame, and I would
really like to go there again.

Me with Miranda Brouwers in front of

her painting in the Carrousel du Louvre 

exhibition in 2016

The Russo brothers were wonderful to exhibit with in
their EA Effetto ARTE Gallery booth at the Carrousel du Louvre,
and I count their curator, Alessandra Masha Mascitti as a friend.
Yes we would want to see her very much.

I love the people, the Louvre, the Musée D'Orsay, gallery,
the Seine, the food.  The last time we were in Paris we hung out with
my friends Miranda Brouwers and Rolf Leemeijer and their
sons Marnix and Hugo, and had the best time. I would
love to do that again too.

In short it's almost fall -- it's time to travel, and to plan the
delights of the coming season.  Paris.  I miss you.

Have a loving art shows day.

Dreaming of Florence -- filled with memories

My work in the Florence Biennale in 2015

at the end of the hall.

Wonder Water Series
polyptych, acrylic on coordinated canvasses

6 feet x 9 feet
Barbara Muir © 2015

Today -- perhaps because it's fall, and when I was showing in
Europe in Florence, and in Paris too -- several times the preparation
and anticipation was in the fall.  I am not, as far as I know,
going to Europe this fall, but believe me, if the opportunity
arises and I can get away for art and love, I will be there.

A courtyard in Florence

Florence is a surprise every minute.  I've been there twice --
for 10 days at a time, which is long enough to wander
around the old part of town, and be amazed in every corner.
It's also long enough to find favourite places to eat, and to
visit them again and find they are just as magnificent as you
dreamed they'd be.

A street view in Florence with the Duomo in the background

Plus Florence and the Florence Biennale fostered friendships
for me that I think will last a lifetime.  This is probably the
most exciting part of going to international art shows.
The fees are outrageous, the shipping insane, the cost of
flights, hotels, meals -- ridiculous.  The pleasure?  Infinite,
and it stays with you as though it was tattooed into your heart
and brain.

Have a going to art shows day

From the Encounter exhibition -- Sara Craig

Sara Craig's work displays a variety of

techniques and visual approaches.

Her work is at the front of

the Heliconian Club in the Encounter exhibition

on at 35 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto

until October 2.

Sara Craig is an interdisciplinary artist trained in a wide
variety of artistic techniques, including acting, dance, and music
(as a singer/songwriter she was nominated for a JUNO award.)

More of Sara's work in the Encounter 

Exhibition.

She is passionate about figure drawing, and is an active member
of the Helconian Club's Monday Sketch Group. In 2017 Sara won
first place in the "People's Choice award at the group's annual show.
Her work is perfect for an exciting entrance to the exhibit with a
wide variety of types of work to enjoy.

Have a going to art shows day.

More from the Heliconian Club, the work of Patricia Bello

People gather around Patricia Bello's 

beautiful art. Patricia is

standing at the left side of the photo

talking to guests at the opening of

the Encounter Exhibition.

Patricia Bello's rich, bright paintings are beautiful.  I only
have one photo of her paintings, and I think it's telling.
Her corner of the show was so warm because of her
paintings, that everyone was hanging out there, and
talking, happy as can be.

I planned to write up every artist in the Heliconian Club

Encounter show on now until October 2.  I was not 100% on
on the day of the opening because I was recovering from a
nasty cold, and on antibiotics.  So I wish I had better photos.

Thank you Patricia for your wonderful work in the
Encounter exhibition, and I will make a concerted effort
to get better photos for our next exhibition.

Have a loving art shows day.

September 11 -- and what it means to me

My father with me and my son Christopher
the summer before my father died.
My Dad really loved Christopher.

Half of my family lives in the United States.  Some have
dual citizenship, some are Canadian and live there.
So September 11, which means so much to Americans,
resonates with me. Also New York City is one of my
favourite cities in the world, and I can't help thinking
about the horror and lasting impact of that day, every
time I show my work there.

But even more heartfelt to me is the fact that my father,
who I loved so much died before 9/11 on September 11.
My father died of lung cancer, and was way too young
to go.  He'd been a smoker, and was exposed to dangerous
levels of radiation when he was in the navy as a very
young man.

So the day is a day of double loss, and double sadness.
I do hope that we figure out how to give peace a chance,
and that we discover a cure for cancer.

I miss you Daddy.  You gave me my talent in painting,
and in writing.  I miss your humour, your warmth,
your kindness, I know I'll always have your love, and
you mine.

Have a remembering the people you miss day.

More from Encounters at the Heliconian -- Carolyn Grand

 

Paintings by Carolyn Grand in

the Encounter exhibition on at the
Heliconian Club in Yorkville until October 2nd.

In the current exhibition at the Heliconian art Club, at 35 Hazelton Avenue

in Toronto, I am lucky to share a wall with the wonderful artist, Carolyn
Grand.  Carolyn's illustration and design background comes through
loud and clear in her beautiful portraits and scenes.  She says that she
is trying to, "slow life down," by capturing life events, and visions
that are special to her. A big fan of summer she enjoys that season year round in the
beauty of northern, Ontario and in Naples, Florida.

More work by Carolyn Grand at

the Encounter Exhibition on now

at the Heliconian Club.

Carolyn loves the joyous spirit of childhood, and the cheerful feeling
of possibility that comes from happy, sunlit days.  Her joy in both is
beautifully portrayed in her work.

Have an enjoying art shows day.

More from the Encounter show -- Faye Jordan

Faye Jordan with her wonderful

Nature as Cathedral mixed media series.

This is my second show at the Heliconian club with among
others the super artist Faye Jordan.  I didn't do a good
job photographing the Windows show in July, and after
my second opening for the Encounter show Saturday I
understand why.  While the opening is on, there
are so many people to talk to, and so much excitement.
I get carried away and forget to document what's happening.

The first time I saw the Encounter show, was when I arrived
for the opening.  I was absolutely dazzled with both the art,
and the wonderful job the hanging committee had done
arranging the work.

But after the opening, almost as I was heading out the door,
I remembered. 'Oh yes, take some photos.'

Faye Jordan's paintings and mixed media seem to ask us
to pay attention to nature.  They are mystical and
moody, and very moving.

Here's what Faye has to say about this series,
"Nature as Cathedral is an autobiographical body of work,
the continuation of an ongoing theme of conveying the spiritual
presence in environment. I walked and sat with my dog for six years
 in urban High Park in downtownToronto with the mighty
black oaks.

The inspiration for this series began where I experienced nature
as my cathedral. From this realization, images of my rural childhood
Landscapes and childhood place of spiritual nurturing, the Community
Church in Cambray, Ontario, began to appear before me, speaking to
me of a structure or armature on which one’s present is supported
by the past. Just as Monet’s Cathedrals were Described as “armatures
on which to hang colour”, I envisioned the architecture of the church
as a structure to build the urban landscape on. Each supporting the other,
neither being independent of the other."

Have an enjoying art day.