Saturday, May 29, 2010

I used to be a watercolour painter


Simone in sunlight
watercolour on watercolour paper
14 x 18 inches
Barbara Muir © 2001
(Sorry about the reflections. The painting is under
glass.)

This little painting of my cat Simone as a kitten,
was one of the last paintings I did as a watercolorist.
I was starting to do risky things, use texture in the
background, that sort of thing. I like what I was up to.

My sister is one of my most important collectors.
I was visiting her today at both her office and
having dinner at her home, and noticed that she
has bought so much of my art over the years. The
older work is under glass, so hard to photograph.

But I'm getting ready for a show right now, so some
of these older paintings may appear here over the
next few days. I particularly like this one, both because
I like the painting, and because I dearly loved the
cat who died after botched exploratory surgery.
I was so heartbroken because she was wonderful,
and loyal, and stayed with me day and night in 2001
when I had a high fever and couldn't eat for three
months. So I'm glad this record of her very happy
kitten life is here.

Have a realizing-that-people-like-what-you-do day.

4 comments:

laura said...

I just love this painting, Barbara!! The light on Simone and her gesture--that typical "cat" pose. looking over her own back--speak to my cat-lover soul.
How awful to lose her that way: I still often think of the great cats I've loved who are gone.
And I'll try to take your daily motto to heart too!

Linda Popple said...

Sweet painting. Nice remembrance of Simone. Nice sister, too! :-)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

Hi Laura,

I'm glad you like it. It is a good watercolour -- my sister has good taste. How wonderful that you are a cat lover -- me too.

The daily motto? -- Oh Laura, people certainly do like what you do. I love what you do.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

How right you are. My sister is the nicest sister anyone could have.

Take care,

Barbara

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!