Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Ready, set, Artwalk


The studio in action
The model sits for 10 minutes at a time.
It will not look like this when you arrive
to inspect it. Everything will be cleaned up and
waiting.



and what happens in the studio
Before the dance in the red dress
acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir

This has been a busy year -- wildly, overwhelmingly, dramatically
busy. First Howard Wolinksy and the You Tube Interviews, the Skype
New York job for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,
Nevada , then the Oprah Winfrey Show, City TV News and now
an upcoming segment on HGTV's Pure Design. Wow! So I'm back
teaching, trying to rev my kids at school up to enjoy the great life
I know they can have, and I am painting like a crazed woman.

This weekend is another high in the life of an artist -- The St.
Clair Artwalk. My friend LeSan mentioned that most people
tear their hair out over such an event. I'm not really. I just
have to figure out where and how to hang all of my pieces,
paint the edges, sign and label them. Not that big a deal.
The house is still okay because of all the excitement this summer.
Buying some champagne, making goodies and putting on
something pretty to greet my guests will be a pleasure.

The studio tour is great, because when people come you
have wonderful conversations, sell some work and get to be
in your own space. If there's a lull in the day, you read a book, play with the
animals, talk to your family, paint and carry on having your
life -- so it's all good. The only problem, if you want to call it
that, this year, is that I have a lot of work to put up. Thank
you to everyone in the blog world who has encouraged me
and helped me work on getting my act together. Like the title of
my self portrait in the Artwalk Central Show, getting it together
is a work in progress.

By the way, if you want to do the studio tour, you don't need
to walk, and there is a generous school parking lot across the
street from my house, so you can park there. Hope to see you.

Have an always-ready-to-show-your-work day.
at

16 comments:

  1. Linny D. VineSeptember 22, 2009 at 9:11 PM

    Congratulations on all of your wonderful successes this year, Barbara (and the studio tour will be one more)! This is a beautiful painting and the addition of the red bird makes it even more so!

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  2. MelindaSeptember 22, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    I'll second that congratulations! Wishing you a fun and productive open studio this coming weekend. Hope you'll take lots of photos and share them on your blog.

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  3. LeSanSeptember 22, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    The red dress painting is fantastic. I just know you will have a wonderful time with the artwalk. What a splendid way to round out September!

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  4. Sheila VaughanSeptember 23, 2009 at 1:10 AM

    I love the concentration on shape and form in this one Barbara. Putting equal emphasis on positive and negative shapes makes it so successful.

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2009 at 5:02 AM

    That is one beautiful portrait Barbara! I love the little red cardinal you've added, and the way you make your paintings so completely your own! bravo to you! I do wish i could attend your Artwalk,meet you and see your wonderful paintings, however i will be winging my way to Vancouver on Saturday morning. Good luck with it, hope you sell lots and have a wonderful time too!

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  6. Catherine JeffreySeptember 23, 2009 at 5:24 AM

    What can I say Barbara...you are superwoman! I can visualize a self portrait of you soaring in the clouds, red cape streaming behind, with lots of primary colors, especially bright yellow for the sunny disposition you take with you everywhere. You are truly amazing in your work ethic,your positive attitude within yourself and for others around you, and your love of art.
    If I can drag my husband away from the sailboat this weekend, I am going to try to make it to Toronto. Can I get the address to your studio through the brochure on line?
    I enjoyed viewing this painting with the red dress. It is very stunning. The blind in the background works so well compositionally. Love the use of primaries as well.
    All the best with the shows and the tour!

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  7. Liza HirstSeptember 23, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Lovely painting, Barbara - I like the way her dress "flows" around the picture!
    I am very happy for you that you have been so successful this year and it was exciting and fun to witness it all on your blog! Thank you for sharing - it actually added some interest to my own life and I wish I could share your art with you this weekend, too!

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  8. Gwen BellSeptember 23, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    What a gorgeous model and you captured her beautifully. Love the addition of the red bird, the red dress, the horizontals behind her....oh heck....I like it ALL!

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  9. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Hi Linny,

    Thanks so much. I'm glad you like the painting and the bird. The painting is a few years old and a favorite. I just wanted to contrast the model and the work. Yes the cardinal is my symbol of the ideal male, good looking, a good dresser and a great singer and family man.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  10. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    Hi Melinda,

    I so appreciate your good wishes. It's great to hear from you. I guess I'll have to remember to take photos. You're right. Good idea.

    Take good care of yourself. I miss seeing your work.

    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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  11. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:07 PM

    Hi LeSan,

    You are right. I can hardly believe that September is gone, the whole year seems to have zipped by.

    I will enjoy just sitting down, laughing with friends and having a glass of bubbly.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  12. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Hi Sheila,

    Thanks so much. I wasn't aware that I'd done that. I'm sure I was just responding to the model at the time. But you make me feel fantastic.

    Thanks again. I am reveling in your current series. Just amazing.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  13. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:11 PM

    Hi Sally,

    Lucky you! Are you in a show out there, you should be. Your work is beautiful.

    I will think of you on Saturday and wish you a wonderful flight, lots of painting opportunities and a great trip.

    Thanks for your sweet, encouraging comments.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  14. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    Hi Catherine,

    If you email me, I'll give you the address. I'm not too sure about the online information. Wow that would be so cool. I'd better keep some wine aside for that possibility.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  15. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM

    Hi Liza,

    Thanks so much. I'm glad you like the painting. I've posted it before, but I found the image of the model, and thought it would be cool to illustrate how much a painting departs from a strict representation of what is there in real life. Finding you as a friend has certainly added a wonderful dimension to my life too.

    Thank you.

    xoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

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  16. Barbara MuirSeptember 23, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    Hi Gwen,

    The model is my friend's daughter and this painting is several years old. I am going a bit nuts getting ready for this show, and teaching, so I thought I'd show the transformation that happens between subject and final work. I particularly loved painting Tia, and have painted her many times. I'm taking one of those paintings to the Florence Biennale with me this year.

    xoxoxoxoBarbara

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