Friday, March 18, 2011

Into the wood

 Our special corner
Acrylic on wood panel
5 x 5 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

The people who work at the art store I go to are
all artists.  In the past year the store has started
carrying wood panels, and now it has them in a
wide range of sizes.  Many of the artists in the store
have told me these wooden panels are fun to paint
on.  But perhaps what tipped me over to trying the
wood was the gorgeous painting on wood Nicki Ault
submitted to International Women Celebrate.
I have always painted on canvas since I switched out of
watercolour and wasn't even tempted by the wood until
my last visit. The painting today is on one of these small wood
panels mounted on its own frame.  Super fun to paint on.
Timbah waits in the window -- he has spring fever

Inspired I came home and painted this little painting.
It is almost done (I know I say that a lot -- but it's in
recognition of my own racing brain, that may add to
it later). I invite you to settle into the corner -- smell
the flowers like my friend Raylea did when she
visited me last night, and relax.  Also notice how well
one of my large portraits would fit into your house.
Zoey is waiting for Steven (or me)
to take her for a walk -- sighing in her sleep

In honour of the weekend.  Sit down on a nice comfy
chair, open that book you've been saving, have a
cup of tea or a glass of wine and breathe.  Ahhhh.
That's more like it.

Have a loving-your-relaxing-time day.

6 comments:

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

This is a delightful painting! I'm glad you found painting on the board fun. It is definitely a different feel than canvas.

And that is exactly what I did today (besides laundry!)... the kids were off school so we had a cozy day at home and I read "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" while sipping tea! (I have to keep up with what the boys find fascinating so I can be part of the conversation!)

Hugs,
Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

I've read my share of Harry Potter books and enjoyed them when my guys were little. They still love them and go to the movies to see whether they're right or not. I also have a photo of Sam as Harry Potter and he looks so great.

Yes the main difference is no texture. I like the canvas texture for big works, but on this little one, smooth is nice. Plus it feels framed, which is nice.

XOBarbara

Liza Hirst said...

Hi Barbara,
Nice painting! I would love to cuddle up in one of those chairs and chat with you. Have a lovely weekend!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

I'm imagining it. If I get to Europe this year, or if you come here, we will for sure get together, and it will be hard to stop talking!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Kim Rempel said...

Love this one. Yes, a special corner. We all need them : ) I too like painting on wood. Especially with a big amount of GAC mixed in (my artist friend Laurie Wonfor Nolan taught me that - do you know of her Barbara?) As for Harry Potter - we're big fans in this house too! As it happens I have a photo I treasure of one of my sons dressed up as Harry as well (with spray painted black hair) ; )

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

I don't think you use GAC with acrylics, but that might an idea to use a gel medium. That's so cute that your boy was photographed as Harry too. I don't know where we go the glasses, but Sam is in front of the old blackboard in our 100 year old
school house.

XO 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!