The 18th thing I learned again in 2023 -- We love and miss celebrations

Sketchbook drawing of our
fireplace mantle and stockings
Red Sharpie on bond paper
Barbara Muir ©

People don't want to believe it, but we are still dealing with the
pandemic, and this year our family is going to get together to share
a meal and some gifts.  We are looking forward to that so much.
Because we have to be extra careful, because is family health issues,
I realize what we've missed so much is going to parties, and out to
dinner with friends and family.

I found this sketch on my blog. No idea when I drew it -- but
I liked the colour red for a Holiday season sketch.  We have not
done much decorating, but we did decorate the tree with help
from some of the youngest family members. And it looks
very beautiful. 

Have an enjoying your holiday days.

The 17th thing I learned again in 2023 -- I have so much to learn

Poem by the Don

Acrylic on canvas (diptych)

36 x 48 inches

Barbara Muir © 

One thing I know for sure, is that I have so much to learn.
Something I've been trying for the last couple of years is 
learning how to say thank you in -- get this 7,139 official
world languages. In Canada there are 2 official languages --
English and French.  I have taught English writing and 
Business writing, and Presentation.  But in French despite
taking French in school from kindergarten on, I can
understand, but not speak it at all well.

So that's one thing -- language.  Then there is learning about
the many different cultures of people I teach who have lived
around the world.  If you do travel, you know that if you 
haven't visited a place, you don't know it. You can see
1,000 pictures of the Eiffel tower, and not know how it
looks in real life when you visit it, or drive by it in a taxi,
or see it as you sail down the Seine on a tour boat. So
different.  But we can read, and study and see films and 
speak with people to learn about the places we may never
visit.

Learning is essential if we are going to fix humanity's
disruptive behaviour, and save the planet.

Have a loving what you're learning day.

The miracle of wonder -- the 16th thing I learned again in 2023

Irises in bloom

Photo
Barbara Muir © 

It's good to be an artist.  Everything beautiful hits you in the 
heart and eyes.  And that is the magic of wonder.  Today at
the veggie store we go to for avocados they had irises.  The
beautiful blue ones that I love.  On a chilly December day the
sight of those spring time flowers filled me with wonder and
delight.  And in the store Kelly at the cash said, "I knew those
would make you happy. They are your favourites right?" I do
love them and many other flowers too, and she's right, these
are right up there.

I woke up from an afternoon nap and the light from the hall
sparkling in the crystal of my bedside lamp dazzled me.  That
was a lamp someone sold at a garage sale for $10.00 a few
years ago. That's when the idea of wonder hit me.  As an
artist lucky enough to live around parks that are beautiful,
and not that far from Lake Ontario, which I love at all
times of year -- wonder is readily available. I will do my
best to capture as much of it as possible.

Have a loving your life day.

The 15th thing I learned again -- allow joy to come into your life

Late summer flowers

watercolour and marker on 

watercolour paper

5.5 x 8.5 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

Louise Hay once asked what word we would want to use
to define a year? In 2017  I chose the word "joy." 2023 has
been a hard year for me and my family. Illnesses, job losses,
and other hardships combined with the world news made
it a challenge. The kindness of friends and family has been
so vital. The word I'd use to describe the year? 

There isn't one word -- but "resilience" comes to mind.  And
noticing joy is a huge factor in resilience. 

As I said in 2017, "Joy (or happiness if you like) is most 

potent in the heart of hard times.  When you lift your eyes up 

out of sorrow and look around, it's there waiting 

for you.  I think perhaps it's the force of nature

saying -- "Look! Look at me! I'm always here 

to make you happy."  

These are very harsh times in so many ways. The news

is brutal.  Anxiety is rocketing, and instead of

crawling back under the covers and giving up
on trying to change the world, effect peace, make
a difference -- joy beckons us to keep going, call 

a friend, and make our voices heard, donate, volunteer,
protest, and join a vast joyous choir across this beautiful planet. 

What do you do to express your joy?  Do you paint, 

write letters to friends (or politicians), spend time 

with family, go for a walk?  I'd love to hear your ideas.
Tonight I went on a beautiful walk with the love of
my life, Steven.  The lights and decorations in our
neighbourhood are a message to all of us.  Our 
neighbours care, and want to show us some joy,
to make us happy in this cold month. 

Have figuring-out-the-joy day. 

Line is always there for me -- the 14th thing I learned again in 2023

Journal Sketch

Marker on paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

Once again this year I did more line drawing than anything else,

partially because I started the practice of doing 3 journal sketches
while I drink my morning coffee.  Again this year I was too cautious
about COVID to spend time at gallery openings.  And again in recent
weeks  everyday new friends are getting COVID. So in a way smaller
work -- and especially line drawing made sense. I have been in several
shows, and really everything had changed.  Not as many visitors, or even
artists showing their work.  I can't wait for this virus to be gone for 
good.

Last year on this date I enjoyed finding a blog post from December 14, 2008.
(*Note the interview with then Skype Blogger Howard Wolinksy, led to
my appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show in May, 2009. You have
all read about that here many times.)  But here's the post from 2008.
It's all about line:

"An interest in sketching

Hi everyone,
Lately the sketches I do when I'm on Skype with my kids and friends
have garnered some attention in the wider world of the Internet.
You know I am a painter -- and I love painting, but I have always
been interested in sketching. Sketchbooks crowd my bookshelves.
At art college we weren't even allowed to use colour for some of
our classes, until we worked in grey scale for a year. I've
probably talked about that before -- because it drove me right
up the (white) walls.

Drawing was considered almost more "important" than 
painting. Oh I know structure -- the gift of line -- I know
why. The point is that all of that went in, and I am someone
who draws her life. I said that on the video interview with
Howard Wolinksy that you can watch on YouTube if you
hit this link Barbara Muir Skype.

Sketchbook self portrait
the girl fascinated by musicians
Barbara Muir ©

Tonight I was looking for a photo of a friend that I stuck in

one of my old sketchbooks, and came across some drawings

that documented my brief life as a musician's girlfriend. I 
really wasn't cut out for the insecurity of life on the road, or
the rock musicians' obsession with equipment. The life was too
harsh, and lived too close to what felt like a precipice to me.

A base player

But for the few months that I let myself get swept up in that
world, I'm really glad I documented it."

The drummer gets the spotlight

marker on paper
Barbara Muir © 

So that's my post from this date on my first year of blogging.  Little did I know all
of the great things that were coming my way -- being on the Oprah Winfrey show via

Skype, exhibiting in New York City, Paris and Florence, artist friends all over the
world-- media interest in my work. It's been amazing. Thank you Blogger, and now
Instagram, and very rarely Facebook.

Have a loving your life day!

The 13th thing I learned again in 2023 is that art is alive

Journal Sketch

marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

Yes the 13th thing I learned in 2023 is that art is alive.  You
know that's true when you walk through a gallery and portraits,
landscapes, and still life paintings and drawings stop you in your
tracks.

Last year on December 13 I talked about landscapes being more than a
window to the soul, because they are like actual windows out
of wherever you are to somewhere else.  That's why I love
the huge diptych painting in my studio which is a view of
the first view of the ocean over farmland in Nova Scotia.
that we see the ocean on our trip out to our school house in
Nova Scotia, and it makes me happy.

Heading home

Acrylic on 2 canvas panels

4 x 6 feet,

Barbara Muir © 2016

This year I started a practice of doing a few portrait drawings
in my journal before I started my day. What I found fascinating
about the experience was that even though I was making quick
line drawing sketches from reference photos of people I didn’t
know, that they would come to life for me as I drew them, and I
would feel like I did know them. I was blown away that just a
few lines could have that power.

Right now I’m working on a landscape painting of a scene I saw
on my travels from Toronto to the Maritimes. The light is magical.
I feel excited every time I come in the studio and see the work.
That is a wonderful feeling. I’ve no idea if the final painting will
keep that vibe, but I hope so. Meanwhile what a pleasure. I look 
forward to showing you the painting when it's complete.

Have a loving your art day . 

The 12th thing I learned again in 2023 -- We are always changing

The blue sweatshirt
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 
(I looked through my blog for
a sample of how I painted
when the blog began, and my
colours have changed quite 
a bit.  I still like bright 
colours, but don't use them
in the same way.)

When I saw this post I was intrigued that this is what I've been 
thinking about in the past few days, and it was on my mind at
the same time last year.  I remember teaching my students that
we change all the time, but didn't remember ever knowing these
numbers. According to facts from scientificamerican.com
"about 330 billion cells are replaced daily, equivalent to about 1
percent of all of our cells. In 80 to 100 days, 30 trillion will have
been replenished--the equivalent of a new you."

"What does it mean that we are always changing?  In one sense it
 means we have to ask people how they're feeling, and what they
 enjoy doing, and in another sense it means don't be afraid if you
suddenly see the world differently.  It just means that you've changed. 

When I was teaching Positive Psychology I discovered that
so many of our cells renew daily -- this means whether we 
want to our not -- we are changing. (The facts are above, and
they are even more shocking than I remembered.)

Oddly enough people sometimes expect consistency in artists,
who are also supposed to be the most creative people in
the world. So let's be alive, thrive and enjoy each other's
new ideas and new work."

One of the ways we change is by learning, and I feel lucky
that I get to be a teacher, and meet new people from 
different parts of the world, who teach me things all of
the time. Thank you to my students. 

Have a loving your life day.