Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The joy factor



Step Three in the Skype diptych
starting on the little girl in
Mother and child.
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(roughing in the girl's face and hair,
putting in the basics of the background
shapes, beginning to think about light).

Our apple tree now is thick with white blossoms. I stood
between the lower branches today and watched as huge
bumble bees enjoyed the flowers. What exquisite joy.

This morning I found a section in my journal that I wrote
last December about what I'd learned last year.
2008 was a very hard year. We had illness in
our wider family, and I broke my ankle. And yet it was a
magnificent year too. Here's what I said, and I
thought I'd share it with you.

My writing classes do a journal exercise on what they are
proud of, so I was trying out the exercise.
"Most of all I am proud of myself for letting joy be the
dominant factor in my life -- for seeking it, finding it, enjoying
it. This year I discovered that joy is spiritual, that joy
is visceral, it is the backbone, the bottom line, the
highest achievement -- the driving force, the ultimate
goal, the kindest gift, and readily available by opening
your eyes to the bounty of the universe."



The way the paintings look together at this stage
still lots of work to do.
Mother and child
8 x 16 inches
acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2009

That seems like a good thought for today

Have an enjoying-the-bounty-of-the-universe day.
at

10 comments:

  1. cathyswatercolorsMay 14, 2009 at 3:54 AM

    Great thought,needed that. I just love your use of color

    ReplyDelete
  2. julie davisMay 14, 2009 at 6:27 AM

    Joy is a such a factor, isn't it? It's too often something we must choose to embrace, but then it feeds on itself. Teaching my children to find joy in daily life by example, rather than succumbing to the "stress of the day" is a daily challenge, especially in May! Looks like this painting will show this mother doing a great job of doing just that for her daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barbara MuirMay 14, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    Hi Shicat,

    Thanks so much. I'm glad you like my work. It means a lot to me.

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barbara MuirMay 14, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    Hi Julie,

    You said that May was harder than Christmas. My youngest is in university, so school's over and all the stress is about finding jobs.

    Is it exam time in the younger grades?
    Maybe I just forget. But you keep painting, your paintings are outstanding.

    xoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen BrusonMay 14, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    Barbara, The paintings look great so far. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on joy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Laurel DanielMay 15, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    This is going to be a great one! Their smiles are infectious! Love it!!! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  7. eldon warrenMay 17, 2009 at 3:19 PM

    See? I knew you were talented.
    EW

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara MuirMay 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Hi Karen,
    Thanks for being part of what makes me happy.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara MuirMay 17, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Hi Laurel,

    I'm glad you like it. That's a pretty happy mother and daughter.

    Thanks for your support.

    XOXOXOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara MuirMay 17, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    Hi Eldon,

    I'm learning from the best -- all of you out there in blog land.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

Your thoughts and positive comments make my day. Thank you for stopping by.