Thursday, July 11, 2013

Can there be too much beauty?


 Untitled (work in progress)
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013

There are many places in the world that are overwhelming
because of their beauty.  For me, this province of Nova Scotia,
and specifically this little area where our school house is
near Pugwash, Nova Scotia. 

The beach we visit near Pugwash
Over the years I've noticed that as an artist I can have one
of two reactions.  Sometimes I'm so moved by the
beauty all around us that I can't paint at all. This year
I feel charged by it.  So I'm working on a few things, and
feel the place seeping into me, and inspiring me.

Here's a little painting of a typical farm house on the road
from Amherst to Pugwash.

Have a loving-where-you-are day.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

this is a great start Barbara...hard not to let Nova Scotia countryside get into your bones. It's all I want to paint when i'm there.

Flora Doehler said...

Oh I love what you are doing! And that photo of your beach is astonishing. Wow! Such beauty in your post Barbara!
xo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. Yes the contrast is pretty dramatic between Pugwash and
Toronto. It is so peaceful here.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

Thank you so much. It's easy to take a pretty picture of this beach. She is a beauty. Love your work Flora. Hope to see you soon.

XO Barbara

Laurel Daniel said...

I know just what you mean. Heartbreaking beauty - sometimes it stops you in your tracks with it's overwhelming-ness. And sometimes the creative response is so obvious and equally overwhelming. I like both feelings actually.

I'm so glad you are having a wonderful time - you deserve to just suck it all in and recharge! Yay for you!

XOXO

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Thank you. Every drive through the country here is that "heartbreaking
beauty" and it does stop me in my tracks. Also I just seem to be saying Oh! oh! oh! all the time and taking hundreds of pictures.

I am having a wonderful time. I'd love to share this scenery with you sometime.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

cohen labelle said...

You've got the goods - surrounding ocean, nearby farmland, a special relationship (maybe several:) and a great artist's eye.

Love,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thank you for your faith in me. I am working on lots of things. My breakfast last week is one of them. It's easy to get lost in one painting, especially when you have several to work on.

Love,

Barbara

belindadelpesco.com said...

Ahhh, what a beautiful place you are in - on the map, and in your creative spirit. Vistas that make the artist in you Ohhhh and Ahhh, and reach for the camera are perfect fodder for late season painting, and wintery weekends thumbing through images for inspiration. I hope the ocean air and long illuminated horizons keep your sails full for weeks and weeks and weeks! XO

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!