Friday, May 23, 2014

The power of small


Three cheers for pansies
Acrylic on birch panel
4 x 6 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
I bought a couple of small birch panels.  I love
painting on wood.  If you paint on canvas or paper
it's hard to describe the difference.  Wood does not
absorb paint like canvas, and yet it also does absorb
and direct the paint.

Since coming back from New York City where my
work is in a group show until the end of the month
I've been thinking a lot about large work, and know
I'm getting ready to do some really big pieces.
But for now I've reminded myself that as artists we
find beauty in a single flower bloom, an orange on
a blue plate, a special stone on the beach.  In that
way we remain childlike -- and I'd like to think
that's a strength.

Have an enjoying the beauty all around you day.
Speaking of wonders -- this gem on the theme
of pansies is part of a new wonderful website
of the Met collection online.  You could get
lost there on a rainy day -- no airfare involved.

2 comments:

Nicki said...

I love the rich colour of these pansies, Barbara. What a delightful painting.

XO Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Thank you. I'm glad you went on a commenting spree. It always makes me so happy to read your comments.

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!