Sunday, June 7, 2009

A real community



Mother and Daughter
acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
Working on the daughter --
I worked on her face,
her shirt, and sweater,
jacket and hands. I
concentrated mainly
on the face, and I now know
I'm getting there.

If you're reading this and you're just thinking about
becoming a blogger, I strongly urge you to jump
in and start. The art blogging world is a real
community. I recently read an article in The
Globe and Mail explaining that the cyber world
was cruel. That's not true in the art blog world.

In fact I have never had as much encouragement,
support, attention and excitement about my work
and about each small step in progress in some
paintings, as I've had since I had the great good
fortune of joining the blog community. I know
that some artists have received the odd cruel
comment, but those are most definitely not the
norm. And when people do leave nasty comments
on someone's blog, friends from around the world
write to dispute the unkind remark.

You will not be popular in the blog world if you
don't get the rules -- say something nice, or
don't say anything at all. Of course we can't
all like one another's work, so what happens
is that we find friendships with people whose work,
we admire -- for many of us that covers a wide
range from representational to abstract.

Most of us don't want criticism unless we ask
for it, and most of us don't want instruction
either, unless we ask for it. We just want
a community of artists who like our work, and
understand what we're trying to do. And isn't that
huge? For me it's been a constant source of joy.
We all need that.

Tonight I'm showing you the work I did on the
daughter in mother and daughter today.

Have a building-your-art-community day.
at

16 comments:

  1. lauraJune 8, 2009 at 6:32 AM

    This portrait is really coming along beautifully; I love the position of the hands, and the face, as all the faces you paint, is lovely--you bring out/illustrate the good-heartedness in your subjects!

    ReplyDelete
  2. julie davisJune 8, 2009 at 7:17 AM

    You are so right, Barbara. It's a fantastic community of support--very helpful in so many ways. And on that note, I love the contrast you have here in the simple colors this young lady is wearing and the background--she seems pleased, too!

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  3. Gwen BellJune 8, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    What a beautiful portrait. Your style is so unique and invigorating!

    Thank you for this post about the blogging community. I couldn't agree more. What a great group of supportive friends!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Barbara MuirJune 8, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    Hi Laura,

    I'm so glad you like it. This girl is totally good hearted, so I'm glad that comes through. She is sweet.

    So are you.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara MuirJune 8, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    Hi Julie,

    The background of course is unfinished. That black is just sitting there waiting to know what colour is going over it, but that's a later decision.

    She does look pleased, and that's good. I hope she will be.

    xoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  6. Barbara MuirJune 8, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Hi Gwen,

    It is true isn't it. They are a great group, and I feel so lucky to know such wonderful people. Like you.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  7. MelindaJune 8, 2009 at 6:04 PM

    You've expressed it perfectly, Barbara. This is exactly how most of us feel about blogging. We like to know what's working, but we mostly know what isn't. It's so wonderful to have an opportunity to mingle with so many dedicated artists and you are a treasure!

    I love this mother and daughter painting. Thank you for sharing the process. It's glowing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. r garriottJune 8, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    A beautiful post...
    a beautiful portrait!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Liza HirstJune 9, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    I wholeheartedly agree! Your so good both with painting and with words!

    ReplyDelete
  10. L.HolmJune 9, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    So well said, Barbara! I couldn't agree more about the generous and supportive art blog community. I really feel I've met so many friends who share the ups and downs of the creative process.
    Oh, and fabulous portrait!
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  11. eldon warrenJune 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM

    Barbara, you are so "on" with this one. It's one of my favorites. Keep it comin!!
    EW

    ReplyDelete
  12. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    Hi Melinda,

    No you're the treasure! It is a fabulous community. Yes it's true, it's much easier for most of us to see what isn't working, than what is. Getting positive feedback is like a shot in the arm, it sends us out renewed to take on the next step, or the next project.

    You are sweet.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  13. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    Hi R.,

    Thanks so much. I'm a bit behind in responding. Yes isn't it a great world we're so lucky to be part of with our fellow art bloggers.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Hi Liza,

    I am wishing all good things for all of us, and for you. It is a great group, and there is an energy to the people who write and comment, that is powerful. The friendships are real and strong. This matters.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  15. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    Hi Liz,

    Thanks for your kind support. This community means the world to me, and brings the world to me! I'm glad you like the portrait. It's nice when a piece reaches the point when you pretty much know it'll be fine. Until then things are a bit tense sometimes.
    I've reached the "whew!" stage with this one.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  16. Barbara MuirJune 10, 2009 at 4:53 PM

    Hi Eldon,

    Thanks so much. That means a great deal to me. Okay, I'll keep going.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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