The Fruits of Love
Work in Progress Stage 4 & 5
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
This is the story of a canvas, good quality, on a
thick gallery style stretcher that could not get
a painting. The first coat on it over the gesso
was the artist's classic orange base -- a colour she'd
found was kind to people's skin. And as she was
a portrait artist, this discovery was a boon.
So she drew a big portrait of a woman on it, got
involved in other things, and forgot it. The trouble
with the canvas at that time, was that it was large
but not large enough. It became a spare. One
day she wiped off the figure, and drew on a cityscape,
but it looked wrong, and once again the canvas
was forgotten.
Now, in magical 2014, no canvas is left unpainted.
Suddenly the artist, who'd been painting on very
small wood panels, wanted something bigger. But
it was snowing, and she had a cold, and. Ta Da!
In the corner of the studio the canvas spoke up,
"Ahem!" it said. She pulled it out, slid a deep
magenta glaze over the orange after she wiped
off the latest charcoal drawing, and began.
The painting still needs more work, but the
canvas likes its jubilantly happy theme. It
fairly shouts that life is wonderful, and please
enjoy it. The canvas knows the artist is happy,
and so far it's a happy ending.
The artist didn't have much time today to work
on this happy work, but every minute was a pleasure.
Have a making-your-canvasses-happy day.
The canvas was very lucky to have such a happy picture. It can now live life to provide pleasure to all who see it! Thanks for such happy and uplifting posts. All the forgotten canvases in my studio are jealous.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. I am happy with how this is developing, but bought some new mandarins to maybe put just a touch more detail on them. Such lovely looking fruit -- I want to do them justice. And now they are BIG!
Perhaps the forgotten canvasses will become glorious Catherine Jeffrey works one day, and they will be glad they waited.
XOXOXO Barbara
Again...those colours just jump and are glorious!! Love this Barbara!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThank you. Every time I come in the room and see it, I'm both surprised at how big it is and happy because it knocks me out. A good feeling.
XOXOXO Barbara