Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween is the greatest

 Love on the High Line
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011

It's been a stressful day.  So much going on, and many things
that could go wrong, doing so in a kind of domino effect.
Lack of sleep from excitement could be part of it.  I love
Halloween.  I think it's brilliant of us, especially in northern
climates (for goodness sake there was snow in the Maritimes
this past weekend) to designate a day for silly.  Some people
get their trousers in a twist (get upset) about the message,
but the message here is incredibly simple -- let's have fun.

So we have orange pumpkin luminarias lining the walk to the house,
and a big pumpkin carved with a cheerful smiling face.  Our next
door neighbour jumped out cackling at me in her perfect witch's
costume, complete with green face and hair and surprised me. Then I
laughed so hard.  Her porch is super decorated, skeletons and lots of cobwebs,
carved pumpkins all down the steps.

I was walking along earlier today dashing from one errand
to the next, my neck tense when I saw a woman
walking along with a young boy in a giraffe costume.
The boy was so blissfully happy, and his mother beamed at
him in delight.  Suddenly I caught the mood,  started smiling
and couldn't stop.  It's been a lovely day ever since.

The painting I'm showing you today is called Love on the High Line NYC.
You can come out and see it in the wonderful show Gill Cameron and
I are having at Studio Vogue Gallery 216 Avenue Road.  The opening is
this Saturday between 5 and 7 p.m. 

I don't have any Halloween pictures to show you, but I'll put some
in tomorrow.

Have a loving-the-idea-of-a-day-for-silly day.

6 comments:

Kim Rempel said...

Oh I love this. What fantastic colours, patterns etc.!! Full of sunlight and energy. A huge job and fantastically painted. Look forward to your Halloween pics ; )

Marilyn Flanegan said...

loved your post, Barbara, and it arrived just in time.

cohen labelle said...

Barbara - You're a dynamo! - terrific energy in this high key painting sustained throughout - it was also wonderful to see the progression leading up to this gorgeous painting.
Certainly cause for celebration!!!
In fact this very second in your honour and in honour of halloween I'm baking a pumpkin pie!
love, Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thank you so much.
I have been meaning to get the look before the pumpkins are all gone. My efficient neighbours have already eliminated all signs of Halloween, but I may be able to recreate the feeling tomorrow.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marilyn,

Thanks so much. I hope the dress up Kangaroo children you met on your travels had a great time.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Oh my -- most years I can resist all but the Cherry pie. But in a season without decent cherries it seems other types of pie are tempting me way too much. That peach pie in the fridge is actually yelling at me right now claiming erroneously that peach pie is nutritious and not at all fattening. Heh! Beware. So I'm glad I wasn't around your superb pumpkin pie.

Love,

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!