Saturday, June 18, 2011

In the studio, and studious cats

 At the art show (detail) Work in Progress
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

I'm working on a double portrait right now of an artist
and her daughter from a photo I took last spring.  The
mother is a lovely woman and I was moved by the
love between the two when I took the photo, and
wanted to paint the mother from the first time I met
her.
The painting At the art show on the easel in the studio
Tonight I'm showing you a close up of the mother's
face so far, and a picture of the whole painting on the
easel as a progress shot.
Timbah and Fiona in the window.
The studious cats are my own Timbah (on the left) and Fiona
(who I call Fon in the video) -- the bird on the roof
has their complete attention and they are not pleased
that it's there.  The two cats rarely sit so close together,
although they sleep side by side at night.  Please excuse
my cat voice.  Fiona (the Siamese) likes to be talked to
in a meowing high pitched voice.

I have just learned how to upload videos and although
I haven't figured out how to edit them, I'm
very happy and beholden to Caitlin who taught me how.

Have a loving-your-cats day.
at

17 comments:

  1. NickiJune 19, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    Barbara, you've got a great start on this one! By their smiles and the gesture of their embrace you have captured the love. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

    XO Nicki

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  2. lauraJune 19, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    The mother is a beauty, and her face radiates the love you saw!
    Your cats are so picturesque--I'd like to paint them!
    I'm down to only one cat: in the past three years I've had three pets put to sleep, all 17 years old; the last one was my Pom-mix, Itchy, last week!
    I expect another cat will find me soon: two is better than one.

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  3. AnonymousJune 19, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    hey Barbara, fun to see your little video, it's nice when you learn something new about blogging and posting huh? I think the portrait is gorgeous so far, love the relaxed, open expression on the mothers face that you've captured, and i like that tone of green in the background too...really compliments the other colours you've used. man, you're so good at faces! Look forward to seeing the completed painting!

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  4. eldon warrenJune 19, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Looks like you're rounding second base on your way to another home run.
    this is going to be soooo good!
    EW

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  5. cohen labelleJune 19, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    I agree with the entire crew and all their accolades richly deserved - for the look of total bliss you've captured on your friend's face while hugging her daughter and the hugely entertaining and delightful video of the two purry meows -wish I had a cat, thanks for sharing, love it!
    love, Marcia

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  6. Gwen BellJune 20, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    This portrait is coming along beautifully,Barbara...can't wait to see the finished painting.

    LOL at the video. Those swishing tails said it all!

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  7. Linny D. VineJune 20, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Barbara!! I'm LOVING this one. It's graphic plus it has all the great colors and shapes!!!

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  8. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Hi Nicki,

    Thanks so much, yes the gesture is beautiful. They are both elegant and graceful.

    XO Barbara

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  9. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Hi Laura,

    Yes both the mother and daughter are
    beautiful, and uniquely so. Sometimes when you follow an emotion it shows.
    You can certainly paint my cats if you want to. Let me know. I'm so sorry about your cats. I could not go on without getting Fiona when Simone died after surgery. I was devastated.

    Yes two is better than one.

    XO Barbara

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  10. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Hi Sally,

    Thank you so much -- you are really good at faces too -- and at landscapes, cityscapes, and flowers.

    Oh and seascapes, Sally you are so good at painting.

    It was fun to learn how to upload videos. Now I have to learn how to take them and edit them. Lots to learn.

    XO Barbara

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  11. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Hi Eldon,

    You are sweet to say so. Well it is just a treat to work on, so in that vein I think all will be well.

    Your fan in Toronto,

    Barbara

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  12. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Hi Marcia,

    I was so excited to see your landscape. I believe the purry meows miss you and David. Love the spring lush exuberance of your last painting. I get it. I am in absolute awe when I walk in the park.

    Love,

    Barbara

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  13. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Hi Gwen,

    Love your new painting. Yes the swishing tails are what made me laugh. There isn't much else to see.

    Thanks for the encouragement.

    XO Barbara

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  14. Barbara MuirJune 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Linny,

    It is a painting I've wanted to do for awhile. Who know if these things just move along inside our brains until we let them get on canvas. Maybe that's what happened here, because she is going on the canvas with ease like the bounty of the universe.

    Love your paintings and you know it.
    XO Barbara

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  15. Kim RempelJune 21, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Barbara, this painting just exudes warmth and joy. I can't wait to see it done! Love the bold background, the embrace...it's going to be gorgeous dahling! ; ))

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  16. Barbara MuirJune 21, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Hi Kim,

    Thanks so much. It was a moment. The mother is so exuberant, and refined -- it was a pleasure to meet her daughter.

    XO Barbara

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  17. Liza HirstJune 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    What else can I say?! I agree totally - a wonderful painting! I like the loose brushwork and admire you for that - it is so hard to do and yet capture a likeness and an expression.
    Great job! And of course, the cats are sweet, too - wiggeling their tails like that...

    ReplyDelete

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