My purpose remains the same

Big brother, little sister
acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Painting this I loved the
expression on the little girl's
face, and all the small
details that are so characteristic
of what young boys like --
Super Mario T-shirts, camp
necklaces, big, clunky black
watches -- it made me miss
my sons as small boys. I wasn't
good at photographing my art back then.)

I found a post from 2020 on this day.  In January of 2020 we didn't know
we were heading into a pandemic. I remember friends asking if I would
avoid travel because of that thing they call COVID-19, and the attitude 
was casual -- like it would be about colds.  Then the school I work for
quit holding live classes on March 9, 2020, and millions of people lost their
lives to the virus.

I liked this post about purpose.  The world is still in a mess -- it seems
like it's worse than in 2020.  The wars are horrific, the climate change

is bordering on out of control.  COVID-19 is surging again.
My purpose remains the same.

" I think that my purpose is to create hope, spread love, joy and
when I'm in person with friends, family, colleagues and students, to
help us all get to laughter. 

My purpose is to help us get happy.  But sometimes
this feels impossible.  It's hard to see the light with Australia
(and Canada and other countries this past summer) burning,
 and a full scale war in the middle east (and apparently more
than 100 conflicts worldwide.)  But we have to keep working
on it.  We have to vote for people who care more
about climate change than money for oil, who care about saving
the planet.  And we have to end all war everywhere.

As an 18 year old I marched for peace.  Let's get some."

Have an enjoying your purpose day.

Saturday -- feeling happy

For David Lobenberg

Self portrait
acrylic on canvas
12 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(I did this portrait for David Lobenberg's

June Paint Off in 2009)

You can read about it here

Saturday is at least in part a day off.  I woke up today and did
two fast sketches as I drank my coffee.  Then it was off to the
market to see our wonderful farmer friend Jens, and his sweet
assistants -- Stephanie and Simon -- a young, very happy
married couple.

I saw that I posted this portrait last year at this time because
I was working on a portrait, and the lighting in this self
portrait appealed to me.  At the moment I'm working on a
landscape with complicated clouds -- and it is all about light too.
So why not?  Light is vital in every painting -- and I hope
I can make my landscape with a river view as luminous
as this.  Meanwhile I'll try to stay positive and luminous
today and for the entire weekend.

Thank you for your inspiration.

Have a loving your life day.

Journal drawings start the day well

Journal Sketch
(from today, Toronto)
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

Here's a journal drawing from today. I originally set out to do three
a day, but I'm happy if I do one, and I really wanted to paint today.  So I did.
I think doing a drawing at the start of the day as I drink my
requisite three coffees, makes me feel like I can stay creative.

I saw a wonderful preliminary sketch a friend did for a painting
on Instagram, and loved the idea.  I usually go straight to canvas.
Maybe some of my sketches may turn into paintings one day. For 
now they're great for a happy start to the day.

Have a loving your life day.

A dream came true -- sunlight!

Untitled 
Work in Progress
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024
(This painting has really just begun,
but I wanted you to know that
yes -- I am painting.)

Okay it was between 3 and 6 below zero today, which is cold.
But the sun was out all day for the first time in 3 weeks! OMG.
I went for a long walk, and also worked a bit on this painting
in progress. 

Another dream for 2024 is to keep on painting.  Just do it. No
speed requirements except for shows and commissions. I just
want to enjoy working at what inspires me.

So thank you for inspiring me.  You do every day.

Have a loving your life day. 

Dreams for 2024 -- To show in the Louvre again

 

The Louvre and a
woman posing to look 
like she's holding the
top of the small glass pyramid
at the Louvre in Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2015

I showed in the Louvre in 2015, 2016, and 2018.  This year I hope it
happens again. And like the first two times I want to show new live work
I've created for the exhibitions. So that is not a resolution. Just a 
dream.  Maybe this week I'll post dreams as they come into my head.

No don't worry.  I'll be selective.  Like most artists I have a lot hereof dreams.

I particularly liked showing at the Louvre, and being in Paris.  

And above all I'd love to see my friends who work on helping with the shows,
who live in Paris, and who we've come to know on our visits. 

So there's dream one. 

Have a loving your life day.

Last day of the holiday for us -- Happiest New Year!

Steven and the animals invade

the studio. Perfect portrait pose.
Left to right: Steven with
Fiona the cat on his shirt, 
Sally the dog on the floor,
Monet the cat on
Steven's legs. 
Happy New Year!

I want to thank all of you again who made our lives great in 2023.
We are looking forward to what wonderful things might happen
this year.  For now we're enjoying the last few hours of our holiday
time.  It has been so much fun. 

Wishing you a week filled with creativity and love.

Have a loving your life day. 

Happy New Year to our family and friends

We wish you a very Happy New Year!
Me (left) and Steven
Photo
Steven van Schaik © 2023

Happy New Year Everyone!  Steven and I just drove to Yorkdale
Shopping Center hoping to be able to get our 10,000 steps inside.  No. It
was locked with barriers everywhere, until one very nice
lady let us in and we walked inside until we encountered a
young security guard who told us we had to go.  We then went
outside and almost got our steps walking around the outside of
the mall.  Yes in the cold. 

Along the way we wished everyone Happy New Year, and 
everyone we met thanked us and wished us the same.  You've
got to love Toronto.  This has been going on for days on our walk.
After dinner we headed out again, and for the 10,000. More Happy
New Years from strangers walking by!

Wishing you a very Happy 2024!