Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends



Class sketch
acrylic on canvas
14 x 16 inches

Tonight I'm including an image of a fast sketch I did at the Tuesday
night art class. I liked the look of the subject, but only started
liking the painting a few months after that evening. The painting
was drawn in charcoal, and recently I washed most of the drawing
off to discover that I like the painting without the heavy lines.

Birthday cards from my son's students in Korea

















At the beginning of the week we received a huge package from
Korea in the mail. Our birthday gifts were inside -- a lovely
video of my son's typical day, slippers for Steven and for me,
like the slippers my son wears at school (super warm and
comfortable), a pretty scarf for me, and a fleece for Steven and
lots of birthday cards drawn by Christopher's six year old students.
I am always both moved and charmed by children's drawings.
Isn't strange that everyone's an artist at 5 or 6 like these
kids, and then poof -- someone waves a critical wand at them
and they lose their power? I hope that never happens to these
children. I have some more cards that I'll post another night. They
are such a treat.

Speaking of children, one of the family traditions I really
like about Christmas is getting my kids, and their close
friends chocolate filled advent calendars. The idea
of a chocolate every day in December seems like one of the
most civilized of Christmas traditions. So -- I have a few, displayed
where we normally set them up against the china hutch in the kitchen.
When Sam comes home near the end of the month he'll probably
eat all of them at once -- and that's fine too.
This week we also have spectacular deep orangey red day lilies
from our favorite flower store.




I'm still in intensive marking mode, and I'm enjoying it.

Have a there's-so-much-to-celebrate day.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards. Aren't they cool to have and keep? And from such a distance. :)

claud-hop said...

Hey Barbara,

The birthday cards are awesome, and so sweet! Kids always put a ton of effort into their drawings, that's what I remember doing, and I also see it now when I'm baby-sitting or working at the daycare. My point is, since such care went into those cards it makes them extra special.

Love,
Claudia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

They are so cool. I love how little
kids draw.

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Claudia,

the birthday cards really are awesome.
My son loves how they say "I love you,
I miss you," when they've never met me.

Take care,

Love Barbara

Susan Carlin said...

Well, Happy Birthday, Barbara! Don't know when it actually was, but let me add my birthday wishes to the many you've already received: I wish for a deep satisfaction with most of your life and a passionate yearning that moves you into new adventures in your next year here on earth.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much. My birthday is on Halloween. Yep. I feel truly blessed in my life to be getting to know lovely people like you through the blog world.

Plus I am so lucky in my life in general -- to love my work, my family,my friends and my animals -- even my city and country.

So I thank you, and send you all the best as well. I love your work,
and your dedication to sharing what you know.

xoxoxo Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!