Small things matter

 Untitled at the moment

(Work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

What do I mean by the title?  I mean that artists are
affected by small things in the way of what happens
in a day.  When the details are positive, we feel better,
and we're frequently tipped into dysfunction by
what might be insignificant irritants to other people.
So Christmas and its attendant delights and stresses
is a huge distraction for artists, and I could not wait
to get the dining room table covered up with my work
table plastic, and get back to the business of art.

I loved Christmas, and will thoroughly enjoy New Year's
Eve and day, but there is work to do.  So what were the
small things that turned today into a productive day?
I got time to drink my two coffees and read some of the
wonderful book Christopher and Megan gave me for
Christmas.  There were nectarines at the store.  I went for
a short walk with Steven and the dog, and saw a spectacular
sunset.  I had a nap, and dreamt about this painting.  In
my dream it was nothing like this, but I knew I wanted
to do a close-up face.  Alyson Stanfield said to clean up,
so I went through my reference shots, and even some
drawings I didn't like and turfed them into the Recycle bin
with a giant sigh of relief.  I knew I was looking for a
reference for this painting, found it and began.  Et voila as
they say.  It is a long way from done, and I see a million
things that need changing, but thanks to Steven, Zoey the dog,
the beautiful and delicious nectarines, and the sunset, it's
all good.

My message is simple, take care of yourself and the rest will
follow.  I see that the forehead has to change and get higher,
the teeth are too white and not right exactly, and much more,
but I feel ecstatic at this beginning.  In fact I have big news
for you coming up.  I apologize for not keeping my word and
posting through Christmas.  It just turned out to be impossible,
so I let myself off the hook.  I hope you had a very Merry
Christmas, and I wish you all a happy holiday.

Have a taking-care-of-the-small-things-first day.