Valentine's Day Blue
Acrylic on canvas
12 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(I think this is the final version of
this painting. I changed the doors and
added more pink to the sky. Done.
I think. I just took the photo
again outside. It's still not
completely accurate, but much better!)
painting, I like to listen to audio books. We do
the same thing on long drives (like the 14 hour drive
between Pugwash, Nova Scotia and Quebec City).
So today I went to the library to get some audio books
to listen to while I work on my current projects. I
shocked my friend Flora when I told her that 'no I
don't have an iPod. I think I did, but I was never
any good at earphones, especially earbuds.'
I parked about two blocks away, and was just about
to open the heavy library doors when I realized I'd
left my library card in the car. I got it out so I'd be
ready, then didn't put it in my pockets. Yeesh. So I
turned around and suddenly a visual feast popped
out at me on my walk back to the car. A lush spray
of pink roses, a mailbox painted to look like a house,
decorating a house that was exactly like the mailbox,
a woman walking by with a gorgeous sleeping baby
girl, facing forward in a snuggly, her plump legs and
arms hanging slack. A flock of small birds swooped
and flew up again in an impressive flutter of
synchronized flight. And I felt grateful for being
distracted and leaving my card behind.
Slow down the world said, and take a look you artist
you. You know. Open your eyes. So I did. Tonight
I've been working again on finishing the farmhouse.
The door was not quite right. I think that's it for this
winter baby.
Have a slowing-down-and-loving-what-you-see day.
Beautiful painting and good reminder to slow down and see. Agreed!!
ReplyDeleteI've smelled a lot of roses in the last 9 months or so. I'm feeling like I need to take the opposite approach for a while and see if I can get a little more work done.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't miss too many roses. Thanks for the advice, maybe it'll keep me from getting too crazy about it all.
Breath deep Eldon...Balance Balance
.....that's better. :)
I love so many aspects of this painting. The way you handled the snow, the light on the short side of the house, and that glorious sky. I still maintain you would love the prairie skies. They certainly cause me to slow down and look.
ReplyDeleteI'm all caught up now. Sigh. What a wonderful morning I've just had with you!
XO Nicki
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. I have to remind myself to pay attention when I'm painting. Not to get caught up in worry, or other thoughts. A big part of an artist's job is to pay attention.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Eldon,
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh. Can you ever smell too many roses. I don't think it's either one thing, or another. City people tend to rush a bit more than is entirely necessary. I sure notice the change of pace when I go almost anywhere else.
Yes by all means breathe.
You are too funny.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Nicki,
ReplyDeleteI think I'm just caught up on your blog. What a great summer you've had. That's wonderful. Super painting.
XOBarbara
Oh dear, time flies far too quickly. I have of course visited your blog but every time I did, I didn't have time to comment and now several days have passed already - so sorry!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this painting! You have captured the winter light perfectly and your colours are gorgeous!
Hi Liza,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. I'm so incredibly happy that you like it.
I hope you're having a wonderful trip.
xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara