Getting a new start

January Tulips
marker and coloured pencil on watercolour paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

Today I began the serious job of getting ready for
the coming year. Alyson Stanfield who writes the Art
Biz Blog recommends getting organized now at the
beginning of the year, and I know she's right. With
considerable help I have somewhat streamlined my
office, filling box after box for the Sally Ann, which
Steven then takes down to the car, and off to be
deposited. Some books will go to the local library,
magazines to friends...but I know myself. As soon
as a space is created, more books, more magazines,
more sketchbooks will fill it. Still for now all is on the
up and up.

In Toronto the second Christmas trees start hitting
the curbs, tulips in pots pop up in the flower shops.
I love tulips -- especially the red ones, which are
available it seems right up until the time we start
planting outside.

I started this little drawing last night. It was a line
drawing of one of the pots of tulips I have in my
kitchen right now. They are almost done, but still
so graceful. On the weekend we'll get new ones,
put these in a dry spot, and plant them for next
year's outside show. Today after cleaning I was
surprisingly tired. Steven and I seem to be
sharing a cold/flu thing, and when one of us gets
better, the other gets it back. It tried to resurface
again today, but I took it really easy after my
sorting frenzy and worked on giving the drawing
a bit more zip.

I haven't worked in coloured pencil since
before my youngest was born. When Christopher was
a new baby, I made my living for about half a year
drawing flowers with coloured pencil. I sold those
drawings for a ridiculously low rate, and did them while
the baby gurgled and drooled and teethed and learned
to sit, stand, and walk. It probably established my
erratic way of working, because I could interrupt
myself as often as I had to, to keep that boy occupied,
and happy and that was quite frequently. Drawing
this drawing today reminded me of that time, and made
me happy that my children are long past the stage when
I'd have to worry about them eating my paints. More power
to the artists who continue to create superb work with
young families.

Have a loving-the-work-you're-doing day.