Seduction

 

Untitled (work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

I know it's hard for non-artists to understand,
but sometimes it's hard for artists to go into the
studio -- to get down to work, to face whatever
current project we've dreamed up for ourselves.

I am sure there are rare cases of compulsive
nine-to-five, or seven am. -to-eleven p.m. art
makers, but by and large we do the job because
we want to have fun.  And when we don't feel like it
we need to trick ourselves.

So the seduction I'm speaking of isn't the kind
you're thinking of.  It is the kind voice of a
parent offering a trade.  Do this for one hour
and you can have -- a cup of hot chocolate,
a walk, 20 minutes with your novel.

Untitled 

Working on it -- also on the easel

Moving along (slowly)

Acrylic

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

For me the starting stage of a painting is
exciting, but very quickly I am in the thick
of it, and perhaps the seduction is giving
myself permission to work in a different order,
or start on the smile, or eyes, or detail in the
hair, which makes no sense.

But like the wise parent with a reluctant child
doing the dishes, or like the teacher with
a distracted student, I allow myself to think
that every step is a step, whether logical
or not.

Untitled Stage One (work in progress)

On the easel -- drawing and starting the 

underpainting.

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

The top photo shows where I've got to
on this one so far.

Have a seducing-yourself-into-work day.