Talking art in Bear River

Steven on the phone
(Not in Bear River -- just trying to
confuse you)
Quick Skype sketch
Black Prismacolor on bond paper
8 1/2 x 11 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

My friend Flora Doehler in Bear River, Nova Scotia,
was a friend before I started blogging. We met through
our art club and actually began to talk to one another
because we were knocked out by each other's work.
When Flora lived in Toronto we tried to show together at least
once a year. She and Larry were fantastically
organized and I learned a lot watching them set up
when we had to hang our own shows. Larry and Steven
who were our crew on shows in a local library gallery,
called themselves "us guys", and had great fun
with each other.

Larry Knox and Flora Doehler in their kitchen

Then a few years ago Flora and Larry came out to
Nova Scotia for a wedding when we were at our
school house, and we drove out to Cape Breton with
Sam to meet them. Flora and I painted together on
a lovely beach, and we had great meals together.

After we left each other Flora and Larry kept exploring
the province and fell deeply in love with the small
tidal river town of Bear River. They now own
a gorgeous century old farm house that they have
completely renovated, and live in Nova Scotia full time.

Midnight tulips
Liquid acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches
Flora Doehler © 2010

So this year we drove down to see them and spent a couple
of days sharing meals and talking about art. That was
when the whole sick cat saga began, and Flora and
Larry were very kind and understanding about how
upsetting the whole situation was for us.

Lunch is served -- fresh made fish chowder.

Still we lunched on fabulous chowder, and Flora showed
me the super work in her studio. Flora encouraged me
to start blogging almost a year before my son actually
helped me to start. I was formidably against the idea,
but somehow got wind of Norene's temporary blog,
and the rest is oft repeated history.

Our friendship has definitely been enhanced by the
fact that we both write blogs. Flora now has two:
and. Through her blogs:Green Willow Studio, and
Our Bear River Adventure.

I've watched their house come together through
the long renovation and seen their garden being planted
and growing. So it was so exciting to see everything in
real life. It was also wonderful to realize that blogs
like Flora's give you an excellent impression of
how things really are.

Got to get back to work. But mad props to you
Flora and Larry for some great talks, super food
and the incredible work you've done on your
property.

Have a keeping-in-touch-with-blog-friends day.