Wednesday, December 1, 2010

This is my life right now

For the next week or so, most of my daylight and evening
hours will be consumed with marking. I have piles of essays sitting
in front of me, and I am reading them.  Don't immediately
think -- ah poor thing.  Because I'm really enjoying the work.
But my time for painting is definitely going to be limited
at least for the next few days.  I hope you'll make allowances
for me.
Marking papers at night
Black marker on bond paper
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

I so admire the work of Sheila Vaughan and her wonderful
self portraits.  Every time I worry that you'll think, oh
there she goes drawing herself again, I think of Sheila and
how much I enjoy the myriad ways she has portrayed herself.

I hope all is well in your world wherever you are.  It has been
raining and cold here, but most of us are relieved it isn't
snowing.

More to come.

Have a doing-the-work-you-need-to-do-with-a-happy-heart day.

6 comments:

cohen labelle said...

Barbara, I suspect that you are an inspiring and supportive teacher! and just by putting two and two together I more than suspect that your students are more than very, very lucky (v v) - a win win situation all the way around.
The portrait you did last night is most intriguing - I get the sense of a very strong personality there. I hope you get to do more of her. And of course I never tire of seeing your lovely mug shots, dear!
love, marcia

Sheila Vaughan said...

Hey thanks Barbara! So nice of you to mention me. I think you can't have too many self portraits and it's a great way of making the most of the time on those occasions when I think - well I've finished that Vernon Mill painting, what do I do now...Yours have an immediacy to them which is very charming.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

You'd have to ask my students. I try to be,or as one of my groups of students said in a parody of a Justin Bieber song, "You try, I try."

Most of the time I think that I am the lucky one, thanks for liking my mug shots (as Sargent used to call them.) I sure like your drawings. Knock out.

Love Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sheila,

Thanks so much. All of your work is incredibly inspiring for me. And your portraits knock the wind out of me. I open them up and am blown away by your drawing, your painting, your gutsy way with line, and image. Love your work. It's that simple.

XOBarbara

Edgar said...

Barbara, Take the time you need. I like seeing your work so very much, but wouldn't be happy if it stressed you out to do it. This self portrait looks like great fun. You've given me a thought.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Edgar,

Thanks so much for the permission. Bob Burridge the artist hands out permission slips, and sells permission mugs at http://www.robertburridge.com/Product/permission_coffe_cup.html
I think I'd like to buy one. It's a pretty crazy time, but I need to draw if at all possible.

Thanks again.
Please keep blogging.

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!