Friday, December 4, 2009

Excited, early, cold, wet, happy



Me with my paintings,
Left to right, The Promise,
Before the dance with the cat,
and New Day.

Today we walked -- oh boy did we -- to the Fortezza da Basso where the
Florence International Contemporary Art Biennale is opening tomorrow.
My broken ankle was screaming. But once inside my heart was soaring.
as part of the shipping contract my work was uncrated and hung. All
around me the 800 artists taking part in this incredible show, were
reframing and hanging their work. All I had to do was dry off and
pose for my picture.

Jennifer Hinrichs and her work.
(I can't edit the photos on this computer,
so forgive the shoes)
As soon as we arrived I met my friends Jennifer Hinrichs and
Michael Steinhauser in the entryway. Fantastico.

Michael Steinhauser and his work.



My new friend Stans Bakker from Holland and her work.


So...we took a taxi back to our street -- pedestrians only, and
climbed the high stairs to hang our dripping wool coats over
the radiators and put on the kettle for a nice cup of tea.

The skylit dome over the stairs in our apartment building
This is a classic example of beautiful trompe l'oeil,
but the glass, and dome are 100% real.
Inspiring!

Now we're down the street at the internet place run by our
good friends (as of last night) Naaznin and Amin doing the blog
thing. We love Florence. Even, cold and damp she is gorgeous.

Have a what-a-great-world day.

24 comments:

Tammy Hext said...

Barbara, these pictures almost make it as good as being there with you. Your paintings look so fabulous seen all together. Have a wonderful trip and take care of that ankle.

eldon warren said...

Cool show, I wish I could see the entire thing. Good luck!
Eldon

cohen labelle said...

Barbara, Your work looks absolutely smashing - absolutely!

And you look beaming and gorgeous.
xoxoxo
Marcia

Liza Hirst said...

You look super duper, Barbara! And your work looks great, too! Seems like a really good hanging place with lots of wall space around.
Sorry to hear about your ankle - hope it doesn't get worse.
How nice that you actually met some friends - old and new - and that you find time to blog when there's so much to take in! You are, as usual, amazing! Say hello to Steven from me.
xoxoxoxo Liza

Melinda said...

Oh, this is so fun--almost like being there! Your paintings look great. All that walking is tough on the ankle--yikes. A dance instructor told me, after I sprained my ankle twice in one month, to practice drawing the alphabet with your feet each day to rebuild and strengthen the surrounding muscles. After all of that walking and stair climbing, you may not want to try this exercise right now, but maybe in the future.

Missing you, too!

Linny D. Vine said...

Congratulations, Barbara!!! I hadn't checked in on your postings for a bit, so, imagine my delight to discover that you are in Florence and celebrating your wonderful successes! Warm wishes of all that is wonderful for you (& wishes of wellness for you ankle, too!) HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

Astra said...

You got a beautiful big wall for your art-the colours vibrate on the grey wall.Great!

julie davis said...

Oh Barbara, how exciting! Congratulations, and what a treat. Enjoy every moment. Your work looks beautiful.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Tammy,

Thank you so much. It has been very exciting. Today was the opening, and we took a delightful little bus ride through the town to the train station near the Fortezza. It's such a big show that I haven't seen the whole thing yet.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

It's a huge show, and it is cool.
Thank you, I think I am already having very good luck.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thanks so much. It has been an exciting day.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

It is a super fun venue. Today after the official opening -- Men in medieval Florentine dress juggling beautiful silk Florentine flags in the sunlight to incredible drums as we arrived, then speeches in many languages. The champagne and I spent the afternoon talking to people, drawing and having fun with all of the artists in my little area of the giant show.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I remember Edgar's blog about the Biennale, and I really think that for the next one of these in 2011 you and Edgar should come. We would have so much fun, and laugh so hard.

It has been just super so far, and we are loving the town too.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linny,

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your sweet comments. You would just love it here, and they would love your work. But what a long way to travel just to be with friends, eat great food, be inspired by fantastic art and architecture -- wait a minute! It sounds like you should do it.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Astra,

Everyone gets a big wall like this -- and the grey wall is covered with something that feels like velvet.

Cool eh?

So cool!

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Julie,

Thanks so much. The whole experience is actually just amazing. First coming for the Biennale a massive art show -- then we have never been to Italy before, and here we are living above a castle and in the city where most of the art I studied in art history resides. Wow!

In two days we have convinced ourselves that this is our real life. Not true of course, but it feels completely right.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Zina Chmielowski said...

Wow, Barbara!
So, cool!
Great paintings!
I did not know that Jennifer and Michael are exhibiting too...
Good luck!
P.S. By the way, it's freezing in Toronto...
Zina

Anonymous said...

Barbara, Your work looks AMAZING!!! I'm so glad you are there!! The staircase looks great too!!
I wonder if soaking in Espon Salts would help that ankle....and get out of those stilettos too. LOL.
O how I wish I could be there with you! Say hi to Steven, Jennifer and Micheal!
love, Flora xoxo

LeSan said...

I simply can not decide which looks better- you or your paintings. Both! This was a great choice to hang together. Very strong. You look splendid and I hope you are having as much fun as you absolutely deserve to be having.
Thinking of you and wishing the best!
LeSan

laura said...

Hi Barbara. How exciting to show your work in such a beautiful place and to meet all the other artists! Your photos are wonderful; Florence is one of my top to-visit sites ... someday!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

I have to write everything at an internet cafe with people waiting, so forgive me for not commenting now.
I am going easy on the ankle but seeing a lot.

Love Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi LeSan,

Thanks you are the best.
It is amazing and you should be here! It's got it all mountains,
history and beautiful art everywhere.

Take care,


Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

yes this should be one of your must sees, and over and over. Once is not enough.

Take care,

Barbara

Theresa Rankin said...

Wow wow and more wow! Beautiful work, beautiful show, beautiful soul!

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!