Monday, August 24, 2009

Near and far



Happy Face
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(this really doesn't look
like my friend, so I'll probably
do another one in the future. Still
I like the face that's emerged, which
has the essence of her happy energy.

My family parodies the Celine Dion song from
the movie Titanic as: "near, far, I'm driving my
car." Don't we like the song? Well it isn't that.
We don't like movies about drowning, but we
are sentimental fools, and could probably shed
a tear listening if we didn't send it up. I am the
biggest sucker in the family for the sentimental
song. A check out woman at my local supermarket
started singing today, and I had to run my buggy
out of there so I wouldn't cry. My family has a list
of tear jerkers they'll sing to get me going. I am
a completely happy person, but I sure can cry.

Near/far tonight is about painting close up, and
painting in the distance. Most of the time I like
to be closer than close. In fact I should do massive
heads, on giant canvasses, or cups of coffee so
big you could float a family of porpoises in them.

But each day when I think about what to paint,
something different attracts me. So much of what
I'm painting has to be kept from you until I can
show it to the world, so this daily painting helps me
do the larger work, which is almost always portraits.

This little painting today is based loosely on my favorite
photo of one of my friends. She hates the photo, but I
love her grin. So that's it for tonight. I am dog
tired, and had a lovely walk with some friends and our
dogs this evening. The dogs were delighted.

Have a contemplating near, far day.

6 comments:

Melinda said...

What a beautiful woman...and beautiful portrait. Please tell your friend that she is gorgeous and you've painted her with great love.

From here (far away), this is really well done. In close up terms, what is keeping you from painting really, really large portraits? Have you seen Miguel Martinez' portraits? Take a look, see what you think...just for fun.

I'm so glad that you and your dear family are grounded and happy. It takes hard work, but you're getting the loving results!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I have done some fairly large heads -- 4' x 3' and I do really love them. Space is at issue, and a desire to use more than the head most of the time. Super example Miguel Martinez, and so funny because the website lets you try it out in your living room! Too funny. Thank you.

xoxoxoxoxo Barbara

Tammy Hext said...

I agree with Melinda, this is a gorgeous portrait.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Tammy,

Thanks so much. I'm glad you like this little portrait. I like the joy it expresses.

Take care,

Barbara

Anonymous said...

mmm yes it is joyful indeed. A lovely little portrait.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I'm delighted that you like it.

Take care,

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!