Untitled (work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
18 x 24 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
I was standing in my studio last week realizing thatlike my current hero Lucian Freud I have paintings
stacked against the wall that are in stages of completion.
When I don't like something I paint over it, but
when I can't decide what to do a canvas can linger.
I am so preoccupied most of the time with the current
project, that the wall flowers might have a long wait.
Last year I did a commission of a baby, and before
I got the painting that I knew was right I'd started
another one. The pose was a bit awkward, the face
wasn't delighted. It didn't seem right for my client,
so I put it against the wall and began a fresh canvas.
Long after the commission baby had gone home I
kept her other mood. Every now and then I'd pull
that canvas with its rough drawing and underpainting
out and think about it. But last week I was ready to
get working on the girl.
At first I thought the baby looked a bit like a Goya
I remember, but as I've kept on painting she
is becoming something all her own. I quite
like her, but she's not ready for viewing yet. So
I thought I'd just show you a detail. This is her
face, which I'm still working on. But it's almost
there.
Have a finishing-up-the-work day.
6 comments:
She is a beauty, this baby. I was just resurfacing from my sleep to turn off my computer so I could resume my sleep in earnest - and here was this beautiful, wide awake baby, totally alert ready to engage in all manner of play and learning about the world confronting me - so there you go Ms Muir - you've done it again!
Love, Marcia
Very captivating face; captivatingly painted!
yes, yes...i do see a Goya influence too! It looks good so far, it's so satisfying when you get that aha! moment and can begin again to work on 'the wallflowers'...ha ha. Good for you!
Hi Marcia,
Yes I think she is getting ready to
play, or take part in a wedding. Not sure. Thank you. I am delighted you like the baby.
Love,
Barbara
Hi Laura,
It's always surprising to see what a painting looks like when you photograph it. I'm glad you like her face. I do too.
XO Barbara
Hi Sally,
It is good to work on the wallflowers.
This girl deserved my attention, and I
think I'll be really pleased with her when she's finished. I'm glad you see the Goya thing. I looked him up after I had that idea and thought, no maybe not really.
XO Barbara
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