Yellow backyard leaves
acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
I have to just write and run tonight because tomorrow
school starts again, and it's a frighteningly early
morning. Thank God for the time change, and the
new jacket my sister gave me -- because the two
I alternate are wearing mighty thin.
We visited the Art Gallery of Ontario today as
a birthday treat for me, and I have never felt like
this before. Each painting we looked at seemed
to be telling me to get on home and paint. I always
stare at paintings earnestly, but today I could
have spent an hour in front of each one. Instead
I was too antsy.
The day outside was glorious. The last of the golden
leaves were lit like candles by the sun, and I knew
that those leaves were blowing off at a terrific rate.
The realization made me impatient. So we zipped into
the AGO store, which has amazing glassware and
inlaid wooden boxes from Egypt, and then hurried
home to supper, a short walk with the dog, and I
painted a very fast little scene mostly from memory.
The painting I worked on today is a quick sketch
of my impression of the yard with the lovely carpet
of yellow leaves. For about a week we've had brilliant
yellow both under our feet on the ground, and all
around us, and over us in the trees. We should declare
the whole month of October a holiday, but we can't.
Life goes on.
Have a this-year-I'm-going-to-love-November day.
5 comments:
When I look at this painting, I understand how you must drink in the colors of Fall with great enjoyment. Lovely work, too.
I know exactly what you mean about the effect of visiting the gallery and wanting to rush home to paint. You are a true artist. Your fellow painters were speaking to you from the gallery!
Yes, November can be a good time of year. Best wishes for inspired painting.
Hi Melinda,
Thank you so much. I do drink in the colours. I haven't driven off the road yet, but it makes being in a car almost anywhere a pleasure. Walking is even more of a sensual extravaganza. I'm glad you know what I mean. Of course art speaks to me all the time, but that day it was just plain bugging me. Making me crazy -- as in -- wait a minute, this is what I do, maybe I should go and do it. I didn't mean that in a vain way, but I used to go and worship the "masters", this time I felt like I was with them, we were one.
November here today is scary cold. I drove to work through freezing rain/bright sunlight/hail/bright sunlight. It looked like anything could happen, and of course we're all dreading the big one. Snow. Please hold off Mr. weather.
Here's to inspired painting for you too, and all other good things.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Sounds like a perfect day - I am pleased you had a nice birthday, Barbara!
Your yellow painting really glows and conveys the impression of your Indian summer!
I know exactly what you mean in regard to your feeling at the gallery - it's great isn't it!?
By the way, you are with them - you are one!
Hi Liza,
Thanks so much. One day it hits you -- the joy, the frustration, the commitment, the bills, the not knowing how to pay them, the travel, the infinite talk about art -- this is what every artist you ever admired and loved lived like. It isn't about thinking -- oh I'm as good as Monet. I have no illusions -- it's just the realization -- Huh! as my brother would say. You are definitely with them -- now on the money bit -- that's where I'd like to part company with most -- not Monet though. He actually had money.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Oh, this is amazing!
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