More on the chemistry of art

 Sean

Acrylic on canvas

36 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2007

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It's been a busy day, so I am showing you
an older piece. Last week at my art group,
there was a great discussion about alla prima
(working from first strokes).  Carol Marine,
whose work I admire greatly, is a wonderfully
decisive painter.  Most of the time I am not
so clear on exactly what I want to happen.  Light
changes, moods change -- the painting
changes.

This painting -- the portrait of Sean --
a super boy I painted in 2007, stands
out in my mind forever as a direct
experience, clear, fluid, easy, and
joyous in its creation.  I've debated
this before on the blog -- wondered why
this happens.  But when it does I am
so grateful.  One of my collectors said,
"your work gets looser looking the longer
you work on it, doesn't it?"  And frequently
that's what happens, but when I painted Sean
it was as if I'd known him forever. 

He was the last in a three part portrait of
his family.  His two sisters Madeline and
Elizabeth were also a joy to paint -- and
perhaps learning their features as I painted
them in the summer and fall of 2006
prepared me for the ease I had with Sean
the next spring. 

Sean, Madeline and Elizabeth
36" x 6'
acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2006 - 7
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Have a creating-with-ease day.