Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Artists need friends



Art Group Sketch
acrylic on canvas
12 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

Talking to a friend today about the blog world
I was so touched that he remembered the 1987
movie, 84 Charing Cross Road, about two
people who send letters back and forth to one
another (in this case a British man and an
American woman) and develop a deep,
lasting friendship although they never meet.
I sincerely hope that one day I'll meet my blog
friends face to face, but the point was that our
blog comments are the modern
equivalent in a way to the role letters played
between friends, before email, and easy access
to long distance phones. I think the way blogs
build communities is no small miracle.

Tonight I went to paint with my art group. I'm
afraid I had very little time, and was almost too
far back to see the pretty model. So I decided
to play with colour and not worry about the
details so much. I am happy with the colour
results.

Have a playing-with-paint-colour-is-the-best day.
at

15 comments:

  1. MelindaMay 12, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    This is very touching, Barbara. Thank you for your thoughtful observation. I agree wholeheartedly with you and feel the same way. Getting to know you and other talented and good hearted people has inspired, informed and reassured me in my own journey toward artist expression. I'm so glad you are online!

    This portrait is lovely, of course, and seems to have a contemplative quality that goes with your post quite well!

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  2. FloraMay 12, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Another wonderful portrait Barbara! I love the way you've shaped the colours.
    It's so wonderful to be able to see your new work(s). Thanks for bringing so many paintings to the blogosphere!
    Love,
    Flora
    http://greenwillowstudio.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barbara MuirMay 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    Hi Melinda,

    You are so sweet and thoughtful. I am the happiest of artists because I know great people like you. I hope you watched the Jon Stewart piece about the University of Arizona.
    It was priceless.

    xoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barbara MuirMay 13, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    Hi Flora,

    Thanks so much. I put you on the list -- girlfriend! I just love your new stuff. But I'm not ready for oil just yet.

    Acrylic is my happy medium!

    Love,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen BrusonMay 13, 2009 at 11:45 AM

    Barbara, I do love the colors in this one, especially the greens and blues in the background. Also, I do highly value my blog friends. It is what keeps me going many days.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Liza HirstMay 13, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    I am very happy to have met you in the blogosphere, Barbara! And it would be wonderful if we could meet in real sometime. Let's keep working at it!

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  7. r garriottMay 13, 2009 at 2:25 PM

    How could I resist a post with a title like this? So very true. And thankful for many kind friends like you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara MuirMay 13, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Hi Karen,

    Isn't the art blog world great? I am so inspired by artists like you. Glad you like the sketch, I value your incredible talent, friendship and kind support.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara MuirMay 13, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    Hi Liza,

    I strongly believe that we will meet for real. We both just need to focus our minds on the possibility. Wonderful things happen through thought as you know. And I am so glad we met in this blog universe.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

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  10. Barbara MuirMay 13, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Hi R.,

    Your work is magnificent, and your
    witty and helpful blog just wonderful.
    I am delighted to have you for an artist friend.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  11. MelindaMay 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    Hi, Barbara,
    I just watched the Jon Stewart segment on ASU. Hilarious.

    Oh, how I loathe ASU. Please....Arizona State University is not, I repeat, not the U of A. Can you tell I'm an alumnus? Not only is it a party school, it's also very right leaning.

    The show really captured the spirit of ASU. Blech! This is why Tucsonans feel like they are in a separate state. Okay, there are some 'partyers' at the U of A, but, yikes, I attended the UA and it wasn't as bad as that crazy Phoenix university! whew. Ranting over... ;-)

    I've seen on the news that it is over 102 degrees, they're selling bottled water for $3.50 each and they aren't allowing umbrellas (protection from the sun)!

    Yes. It was priceless. Let's hope parents who are thinking of sending their kids to Phoenix, think twice...maybe three times.

    p. s. It was really funny and I know that the producers looked for the least politically educated students...I also realize, as a Tucsonan, that I have a major bias against Phoenix and ASU.

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  12. Laurel DanielMay 15, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    I am thrilled to be part of this modern pen pal equivilent in the blog world! It has been an honor and joy to meet up with people like you! I hope we meet face to face sometime too - it would be so cool! If you ever get near Austin... let me know!
    XOXOX Laurel

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  13. eldon warrenMay 17, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    Blog friends, real blog friends, are hard to come by.The ones I enjoy most are all at the top of the list. I'm totally happy you're there.
    EW

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  14. Barbara MuirMay 17, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Laurel,

    I have a kind of road fantasy of driving all over the U.S. meeting my
    blog friends. I sure want to meet you. Do you ever get to Toronto? There's a bed in my messy little house
    waiting for you.

    XOXOXOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  15. Barbara MuirMay 17, 2009 at 8:02 PM

    Hey Eldon,

    I must say, you're up there on my list too. I have really enjoyed meeting blog friends like you. I consider you as real a friend as they come. And funny. And one of the best painters in the universe.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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