Sunday, April 3, 2011

Laughter


Late night in Norway
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
(This is the final version of my painting
formerly called Taking a break from painting . 
It is one of three portraits of Henriette Sonne
that I'll be showing in New York City at the
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery next month).

My husband, Steven, has been away a lot in the past
year.  His work has taken him out of town far
too often. It isn't just that we love one another,
and get lonely when we're apart, it's that we
laugh at the same things.  As soon as we're together,
after the fond hellos, and recapping what's
been happening, we are laughing sitting
at the kitchen table over the spoils of a good
meal.

Not only that, my sweet husband has a good
voice and loves to sing.  I sing too (just ask
my students -- I'm sure they wish I wouldn't),
but not the way I sing with Steven
in the car, belting out old favorites, and new
songs, laughing when we're done.  Just the
thought of singing with him makes me
smile.

It has been a strange weather day today --
so hot in the park walking the dog at noon
that I had to take off my coat and walk in
just my jeans and sweater!  That is a sure
sign of spring.  Then tonight it snowed
like crazy, about two inches while we were
doing our shopping.  Huge wet flakes.
On the way home in the car we sang
Winter wonderland at top volume.  That's
something I love about my husband --
He is great at playing.

Have a singing-and-laughing-with-someone-you-love day.
at

14 comments:

  1. Flora DoehlerApril 3, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    What a beautiful post! You and Steven are truly soulmates. I think you should serenade your friends too! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barbara MuirApril 3, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Hi Flora,

    You are sweet. I always thought soulmates was something to aspire to like being angels or something. An impossible goal for a real life married couple. We are pretty crazy about one another. Now Flora, I'm sure I've given you a song or two in my looney voice.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kay ChristopherApril 3, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    LOVE this one, Barbara! So many things about it are wonderful. Is always such a pleasure to see you paintings and read your posts. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. cohen labelleApril 3, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    You have a great voice!!! and I'd love to hear Steven sing...maybe a duet?!

    SHE is looking fabulous!!!!

    xoxoxoxoxoxo,Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  5. David LobenbergApril 3, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    Chinese fortune cookie say: People are really going to like this painting when you exhibit it.
    David say: This painting very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousApril 4, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    sounds fun Barbara! there should be more singing in this world,though it totally should not be me, i am a BAAAAAAAAAAAd singer. ha ha. I totally LOVE this portrait of your friend Henrietta. Just lovely. Cant wait to see the others.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NickiApril 4, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Hi Barbara,

    I love the love you and Steven have for each other!

    And I love this painting! I would say you nailed it! You were able to capture that blue light from the computer screen without causing the whole painting to feel cold. You still have given Henriette a gorgoeus glowing warmth. She looks kind, approachable and calm. I like the little Barbara in the corner screen! And the icons! The entire thing is so relevant to the day.

    Yay for you... lucky New York!

    XO Nicki

    ReplyDelete
  8. Barbara MuirApril 5, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Kay,

    What a treat to read your encouraging words. Thank you. Now I better keep painting.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara MuirApril 5, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Hi Marcia,

    Singing voice --maybe not so much. I sing at my students. It makes them laugh, and it also makes them pay attention when they're not.

    Love,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  10. Barbara MuirApril 5, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Hi David,

    You are a sweetheart. Thanks for my fortune, I am ready! Love your paintings. You are great.

    Your fan in Toronto,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  11. Barbara MuirApril 5, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Hi Sally,

    I'm a BAAAAAD singer too. Just terrible, but incredibly fond of the activity. Steven has a lovely voice and has always secretly wanted to be in a choir, but never has the time. Too bad. So we are a "choir" of two. Some of my favorite times in the car with my kids were when some song on the car stereo would get all of us singing. Plus I once had a dinner party where everyone sang. That was the most fun and it happened spontaneously. I have several friends with wonderful voices.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  12. Barbara MuirApril 5, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Hi Nicki,

    Thank you. That means a lot to me. Now I have to keep on trucking with this set, to get everything done! Always a challenge. But hey -- your support makes me feel great. Powerful even.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linny D. VineApril 5, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Congratulations, Barbara, on your upcoming show and on your beautiful painting! (Play and playmates are the best...)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara MuirApril 6, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Hi Linny,

    Thanks so much. Yes playing is important. It's a lonely life if you're surrounded with people who don't know how to play. I am lucky in every sphere of my life that the people I spend time with like to play.

    XOBarbara

    ReplyDelete

Your thoughts and positive comments make my day. Thank you for stopping by.