Saturday, July 3, 2010

Blog Holiday


Girl reading
acrylic on canvas
(detail)
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2003
My dear friends,

And I definitely think of you that way. I am
taking a blog holiday. No there is nothing wrong.
No I am not worn out, ill, in psychological
distress -- far from it. But I have been writing
every day for 872 days, and I have decided
that I've earned a breather.

So I am officially taking the month of July,
my family holiday month, off! Bold I know.
I blogged in Florence, I blogged from Pugwash,
Nova Scotia. I am a loyal blogger.

Here's how I'm going to play it. If the mood
hits me (and it may), and the technology
is readily available, I will blog during this
month off. So from time to time, or maybe
even every day sometimes there will be
a post here. But officially I am giving myself
the month to not blog.

I got the inspiration from listening to my
sister's answering machine. She has closed
her office for the month, and says please leave
a message and she'll get back to you when the
month is over. I felt such a sense of "yes!"
when I heard that. Now of course I will be
working, painting, doing my commissions,
but I'll also be relaxing, reading, listening to
music, thinking, and I will enjoy thinking
about getting back to you. I'll also be
travelling, eating wonderful meals, seeing
friends, drinking great wine, walking on the
beach, collecting shells. In other words on
vacation. Total vacation.

And I'll miss you so much. So I'll comment
on your posts whenever I am near technology.
I may even post tomorrow. Crazy eh? Like
a fox. Happy 4th of July. I'll see you in a
month, if not sooner.

XO Your artist friend,

Barbara

Have an hey-I-deserve-time-off-too day.
at

27 comments:

  1. eldonJuly 4, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    See you in a few weeks and have a wonderful time! We'll miss ya but it's good to play hookie. :)
    EW

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim RempelJuly 4, 2010 at 7:42 AM

    Enjoy and soak up the pleasure...: )

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 4, 2010 at 8:26 AM

    Have a great holiday! Enjoy your time away.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laurel DanielJuly 4, 2010 at 3:47 PM

    GOOD FOR YOU!!!! You deserve a holiday - time to refresh your spirit. I hope it's a most wonderful time!!!!! We'll miss YOU and will look forward to your return. OXOXOXO

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara MuirJuly 4, 2010 at 8:39 PM

    Hi Eldon,

    Thanks so much. I'll miss you, but the time is right for a break.

    Stay happy.

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  6. Barbara MuirJuly 4, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    Hi Kim,

    I will, and I'll be thinking of you, and checking out your blog while I do.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  7. Barbara MuirJuly 4, 2010 at 8:44 PM

    Hi Sally,

    Sorry I'll miss you when you're in Toronto. I'll have to come up some time later in the summer and see your work. Best of luck with the show.

    You will be great.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara MuirJuly 4, 2010 at 8:45 PM

    Hi Laurel,

    I don't know how long I'll last. Today I've been itching to blog all day, so maybe tomorrow if I get enough work done, I'll take a break from my break.

    Thanks for your kind wishes.

    XOXOXOXOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. cohen labelleJuly 4, 2010 at 9:45 PM

    Hi Barbara,
    This painting is a beaut! – I don’t think I remember seeing it before, I don't think I have - yes it is certainly a beaut!
    definitely a favorite

    xoxoxoxoxoxoMarcia

    ReplyDelete
  10. julie davisJuly 5, 2010 at 6:37 AM

    Oh Barbara, you deserve it. Love the idea of a month off--and the flexibility to post IF you wish. Please enjoy your time and family, and we'll see you once you're back!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dana CooperJuly 5, 2010 at 8:09 AM

    Wow, you do deserve a day or 30 off...love this painting, it really goes with your post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gwen BellJuly 6, 2010 at 5:17 AM

    Go Barbara! I hope you enjoy every minute and come back refreshed and re-energized.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Barbara MuirJuly 6, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Hi Marcia,

    This is a detail of the painting. I did it quite a few years ago of one of
    my favorite models. I'm so glad you like it. So do I, it brings back memories of that time in my life, and the girl's life.

    xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara MuirJuly 6, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    Hi Julie,

    I'm certainly glad that I don't feel pressured to post right now. It's so hot here, I can barely think, although I am painting. But the funny thing is that I feel the urge to post something, to talk to my friends.

    I love your work, but you know that.

    xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  15. Barbara MuirJuly 6, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    Hi Dana,

    Thanks so much. I don't know if I deserve it, so many people post every day. But I just wanted to have time to let my brain fill up with new ideas. It turns out all I needed was about five minutes, but I'm really enjoying the break anyway. I checked out your blog, and I love your work.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  16. Barbara MuirJuly 6, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    Hi Gwen,

    As a major coffee drinker with a son currently working at Starbucks, I am
    loving this mug series you're doing.
    Each painting feels like an invitation.

    xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJuly 6, 2010 at 7:41 PM

    I'm in withdrawal! At the same time, you SO DESERVE A BREAK....don't know how you've so faithfully blogged daily for so long.
    Enjoy your break....I hope it brings you here!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Flora DoehlerJuly 6, 2010 at 7:42 PM

    Hey, I'm the Anonymous person! I hit the wrong key and whammo!! it posted. lol!
    Enjoy Barbara!
    flora

    ReplyDelete
  19. lauraJuly 7, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    What a fabulous idea, Barbara! This post really made me smile--and think!
    Leave it to you to do something so inspiring! ... I want to hear, in August, what good books you have read, please!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Karen BrusonJuly 7, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    Enjoy your time with your family.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Barbara MuirJuly 7, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    Hi Anonymous. I don't know if I deserve it, but I'm a gonna take it.
    Actually I have work to do in this blog holiday, so the blog break is the break.

    Thanks for your kind thoughts,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  22. Barbara MuirJuly 7, 2010 at 6:56 PM

    Hi Flora,

    You are anonymous. Who knew? Not to me. I always think lol means loll, and in this weather that is so appropriate. I hear it's hot in the Maritimes too. Noooooo! I want some cool. I go and stand in the garden and imagine wanting to be that hot. I imagine the dead of winter, and how I'll miss my Nicotiana with flowers in the shape of stars.

    You are funny and sweet.

    xoxoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  23. Barbara MuirJuly 7, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    Hi Laura,

    As you can see I couldn't stay away that long. I posted today. But I will only post when the urge hits me hard. Other than that. Free. It does feel good to be free.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  24. Barbara MuirJuly 7, 2010 at 6:59 PM

    Hi Karen,

    Thanks so much. Each one of your paintings lately has been a miracle. What do I mean lately? Ever since I've been reading your blog I've been dazzled.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  25. NickiJuly 9, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    Barbara,

    I am so glad you are doing this for yourself. It sounds dreamy. You have been so busy this past year, (in wonderful ways, mind you), but it is totally okay to step back and take a breather from blogging. Especially when you have been so unbelievably consistent. Your loyal fans and visitors will be here whenever you are!

    Hugs,
    Nicki

    ReplyDelete
  26. Barbara MuirJuly 9, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    Hi Nicki,

    Thank you so much. I feel really behind in commenting on everyone else's wonderful work, especially yours. I love that you are taking some breaks too. I love the cloud painting, and your description of how storms look when they're coming in, with the little puffy clouds all unaware.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mary Sheehan WinnJuly 31, 2010 at 6:37 PM

    good on ya, as you Canadians say ;) Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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