Thursday, March 18, 2010

Spring entrances us



Mother and child
Stage six
acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(still lots to do. The
background is still just
starting to come together.
The baby's hands and mother's
hand need refining. I will work
a bit more on both of their
faces, and on the mother's
sweater. I'll keep you posted.)

There is a strong cautionary warning being whispered
on the breeze here in Toronto, that these
gorgeous days -- what I would consider perfection --
18 degrees Celsius and sunny -- (I am so not a fan
of hot weather) will not last. But no one I know
is paying any attention to that.

I went for tea today with my friend Jan, and sat
in her beautiful sun room. With the sliding glass
door open a crack to keep us cool, we drank perfectly
brewed tea out of cups so delicate that the light shone
right through them. Sunlight bounced off every surface,
and sitting there you could be absolutely certain
winter was over.

Jan is a wonder with fabric, ( she sells vintage fabric)
and I am always so happy when I leave her house,
after seeing her quilts, dresses, and pieces of very special vintage
fabric, that I feel inspired.

So after a quick Ikea dinner date with my husband --
I had poached salmon -- I came home and continued
to work on this portrait of my Mom and baby. I still
have a long way to go, but it is coming together.

Have a-spending-time-with-delightful-friends day.
at

14 comments:

  1. eldon warrenMarch 19, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    These storms we get usually track N.E. And we've got one going on here today. If you indeed would like the cooler weather I'll wish for it to move on quickly for my friend in Toronto. We're supposed to get in the neighborhood of 10 inches. Please. Help yourself. :)
    E

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barbara MuirMarch 19, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Hi Eldon,

    I don't mean I want winter. I mean I don't like very hot weather. What we've been having is perfect!

    Sorry about the snow. I don't want any more believe me.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  3. MelindaMarch 19, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    This is really coming along! You've got some beautiful layers here, and I love your treatment of hair.

    This is looking great! Enjoy the nice weather, too. I know it's not quite spring for you yet, but it's on it's way and that's the main thing, right?!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gwen BellMarch 19, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    This is coming along so beautifully! I like the geometric elements you're adding in.

    Enjoy your "warm" weather! We are expecting snow here in Dallas tomorrow after our beautiful 70 degree day today. Texas weather!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 19, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    Barbara, the transition in this painting has been wonderful to watch. YOU ARE SO AWESOME AND SKIlled and CREATIVE.
    Wow, everytime I think it's finished, you put up a new one that I like even better. You are a magician with that brush of yours.
    I also loved the St. Patrick's Day shots. I love it that you celebrate all the holidays!!
    xoxoxo Flora

    ReplyDelete
  6. NickiMarch 19, 2010 at 9:17 PM

    Hi Barbara,

    This is really a wonderful painting... it seems to capture the joy and playfulness between a mom and babe whose personality is just beginning to show itself. I love how the mom is holding the child and you have done a great job of the foreshortening of the little leg. Your vibrant pallette suits this so well. Can't wait to see the final result.

    Thank you so very much for the generous comment you left for me. Oh my, it made my head spin and I am not worthy, but thank you, thank you, thank you!

    XO Nicki...and XO again!

    ReplyDelete
  7. TorontoVerve Street StyleMarch 21, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    For a painting that's still a work in progress, it's so life-like...can't wait to see the finished product.

    www.torontoverve.org

    ReplyDelete
  8. JanetMarch 21, 2010 at 8:56 AM

    I love it, it's really coming together. You just want to pick up the baby and give him a squeeze, and sit down and have a chat with Mom.

    It's great the way you can see their personalities.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara MuirMarch 21, 2010 at 6:07 PM

    Hi Melinda,

    Thanks so much. Actually it was a bit cold today -- the first day of spring, but we went for a walk anyway.
    Took the dog through some ritzy neighbourhoods. No park.. She was not impressed.

    xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara MuirMarch 21, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    Hi Gwen,

    So far, knock on wood -- no snow. But you can't count on it. Still the temperature has sent us back into our winter coats.


    I hope you didn't get the snow.

    xoxoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  11. Barbara MuirMarch 21, 2010 at 6:11 PM

    Hi Flora,

    We do like to celebrate. Thanks for your sweet encouragement. Always appreciated. We spent Valentine's Day out of town, which meant the house never got duded up for it. But Steven made up for it with his gorgeous St. Patrick's Day decorating.
    I was so excited when I came home from work to see what he'd done.

    Miss you,

    xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  12. Barbara MuirMarch 22, 2010 at 6:01 AM

    Hi Nicki,

    Thanks so much. I really love the plein air series you've been working on. I'm glad you like how this is coming along. I do too. I seem to need small spaces for thought in between working on it.

    You deserve every bit of praise coming to you.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  13. Barbara MuirMarch 22, 2010 at 6:03 AM

    Hi Nigel,

    Thanks so much for your kind comment. It is almost there. A few decisions still need to happen. I love your web site and photography of fashionable people in Toronto. Wonderful work!

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara MuirMarch 22, 2010 at 6:04 AM

    Hi Janet,

    Thanks very much. Good luck on your upcoming shows. Interesting work you're doing with texture. I hope the shows go extremely well.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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