Kitchen dress up
(not quite finished)
(not quite finished)
12 x 16 inches
acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2011
First of all Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Why paint? Who me? Yes I hear you asking
that question and I'm almost embarrassed to tell
you the answer. To not paint, for me is like not
being in love. I've had a boyfriend except for the
year I was 12 since I was three. (Please don't
tell my children), and I started painting at four
(once again keep this to yourself.) As an exuberant
human (good therapy has helped me define that as
a good thing), I love people. Can't help it. I love
my husband, my family and most of the people
I meet in my daily life. In that I am unusually
lucky and blessed. And I love painting.
Painting people -- absolutely ideal: people + painting =
happy. We all know the negative side of a love
relationship -- the quarrels, the misunderstandings,
the separations, but what about the delicious fulfillment
of being with someone who makes you laugh, sing,
dance and decide that life is one of the best gigs going?
That is why I love painting too. It does all of those
things for me.
Forgive me now. I have a date with a paint store.
Got to go get more canvas, more paint and continue
this passion of mine. Thanks for sharing your passion
for this activity with me. And to Steven the source of
my joy, thank you too. Now to all of you who keep
me focused on this wonderful art, thank you.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Barbara
P.S. This blog post was inspired by the
super TED video on Alyson Stanfield's
artbizblog today, I am answering the
question posed there -- which is 'why do you do
what you do?'
11 comments:
Barbara, such a beautiful painting!!! My Irish eyes are smiling!!!
XO love, Marcia
Hi Marcia,
I wish you'd been here to tip a glass of champagne, or Guiness.
Love Barbara,
XO
Love its warmth and cheer. Wonderful!
Your love always resinates in your paintings, Barbara. pure joy!
Alyson Stanfield's post yesterday was truly exceptional. That philoshophy (which i believe is a common thread in many artists and designers who didn't need the biological validation :) can be applied to so many aspects of life. I had that video looped while I painted yesterday thinking, yes, he gets it!
Really nice painting Barbara. That concentration on pattern within the frame. It is so like a post-impressionism, a bit of Cezanne, a bit of Bonnard, maybe Vuillard. Fantastic!
This painting says "Happy!" in all its bright, beautiful colours...nice brushwork too!
Hi Kim,
Thank you Kim. Good luck with your workshop. If you're coming through Toronto, please plan to visit me!
XOBarbara
Hi Marilyn,
It is a great message isn't it. People always ask you that when you're showing, and I usually stumble around. But the truth is that we all know why we're doing it, and that that truth is absolute and freeing.
Love your work.
XOBarbara
Hi Sheila,
I think I'm through with being shy about colour. A woman came to my opening in my house last year, drank wine, ate cookies, wandered around and then said "I hate your colour."
But I don't. I can't and don't want to justify my passion. I love muted work too, but this kind of colour is more me.
Thanks for your kind support and encouragement. I hope you know that I love every painting and drawing you make.
XOBarbara
Hi Karen,
Your work is beautiful. Thanks for your kind encouragement.
Take care,
Barbara
Barbara, I just read your comment about how the woman came to your show, drank your wine and said she hated your colour! : O
OMG!
Where are people's manners?!!! And besides, who could hate your colour? That is what drew me to your blog!!
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