The end of August

August road trip

Acrylic ink on 

watercolour paper

and pencil

Barbara Muir © 2022

Given how hot it's been in August, we may have a slightly cooler
September, and summer may last a bit longer.  But some of the
trees are losing their leaves early, so I don't know. Hope springs eternal. 

This is the big long weekend here in Canada, filled with end of
summer revelry, and school prep for parents, and students across
the country. We are planning some trips to the lake, here in
Toronto, and that's about it.  We did our 6,000 kilometer, 3,728.23
mile road trip 

in July, arriving home the first of August. The views were similarly
beautiful, so this image works for today.  Super hot here, cicadas
buzzing, while the air show filled the sky with sound overhead. 

Wishing you a very happy long weekend, and happy September.

Have a loving your life day.

The morning journal and drawing practice

Journal Sketch

marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2024

I've called my favourite store manager at Type Books on Spadina to order more
journals because I'm going through them at a pretty quick pace.  Writing 2 or 3 pages
in a journal as I drink my morning coffees (3), and do a quick sketch, gets my day
off to a good start. So I'm trying to keep going. 

I like this sketch of a guy sitting in a café in Paris, because he looks so Parisian --
the elegant scarf, tied the way only Parisian men seem to be able to achieve. And even
his winter coat -- what you can see -- is an elegant wool trench coat. Thinking about
Paris always makes me happy.  Last night we visited with friends and that's
what we talked about.  The best.

Have a loving your life day.

A quick one tonight

Wonderful coffee
Photo
 Barbara Muir © 2015 

I had a very busy day today getting ready, working on applying for a show at
the Heliconian opening next week.  

Then this evening we visited friends across the street to talk about Paris.  Could
there be a better topic.  They served delicious French cheese and wine, and we had
a lovely time.  This photo brings back happy memories of one of my favourite 
cafés in Paris.

Have a loving your life day.

I missed International Dog Day

 

Sally

Photo
Brigitte Sharpe © 2024

I was travelling on August 26, International Dog Day, and did not get a chance to
honour our wonderful dog, Sally. Thanks to my friends who let her out that day,
and to Brigitte for this wonderful photo. Sally is a very happy dog.  And we are delighted that

she is part of our family.

Have a loving your life day.

Quick sketch to start the day

Nasturtiums today
Acrylic ink on
watercolour paper
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024 
(The photo colour is not right. I'll try
again tomorrow.)

It is hot here, and muggy, and the garden is thriving.  Rain is expected,
which means I won't have to water.  So I ventured out into the heat and
picked some nasturtiums.  Get to know us.  We always have flowers.
So it's nice when I can just walk out to the back garden and pick some.

I thought I'd do a very fast nasturtiums painting.  So I drew it first and then
started adding acrylic ink.  Nothing can compete with the vibrancy of the
nasturtium colours, but here it is. And it was fun to do.

Have a loving your life day.

Busy week

Jesca (work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas 

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir ©

We were very late getting in tonight, and had some computer issues. This is a very
busy week.  I'm working on quite a few projects.  This is one.  I painted this very
quickly years ago, so a print could be made for Jesca (the portrait subject) to
give to her on her birthday.

Now I'm revising it -- for a show in the Heliconian Club called Encounters. Jesca
will make a super addition to the exhibition.  I hope she is having a wonderful life.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy series and the concept of dedication

Water Image 3

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 

This has been an exciting day.  We got to hear a family member play a magnificent
concert, and recite some beautiful poems, perfectly matched to the musical compositions
that followed each poem.A large number of family members and fans gathered to
appreciate the concert.  The dedication involved in putting such an event together with
one person on the stage, got me thinking about what would be an equal level of devotion
in visible art.

And I thought perhaps my ocean series required some deep devotion. That was about
saving the ocean, and I hope we still can.  The series showed people set against their
favourite ocean destinations, and they were joined by the band of sand behind the
person in each portrait.This is one I love, (I love all of them) and it hangs in my studio
at the moment.

Have a loving your life day.