Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The best kind of visitor

Staying warm (art group sketch)
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
Before I was fully awake this morning a friend
dropped in and told me that she loved the work
I'm doing -- my food paintings, and the cloud
painting from a couple of days ago.

I didn't know her degree was in art history, but
she told me that to add heft to her kind comments.
Wow. She made me feel great.  I started painting
the moment she left, didn't even grab the next coffee.

The Message?  If you have artist friends, encourage
them.  Tell them what appeals to you.  What a
delight to have someone come into the studio and
tell me she loves my use of colour.  She set
me off to a day of discovery, and left me with a
deep feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Good one.

 I will definitely remember the zap of excited
energy she gave me the next time I visit an
artist's studio.  Yep.  We can all use positive
thoughts.

I painted this quick sketch with my art group
tonight in about 45 minutes.  The model was
lovely, and my friends in the break, a treat.

Have a-taking-the-time-to-be-a-kind-visitor day.

6 comments:

Linda said...

I agree wholeheartedly, Barbara, encouragement is so important and we never know how our encouraging words may help or inspire someone.

I love this painting, the colours and expression are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Unknown said...

Let me be the first to comment! I LOVE your work. Your colours are your signature, and I feel happy whenever I look at your paintings.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thank you. I love that your blog is so full of encouraging words. I did notice that yesterday I was on felt happy and upbeat all day, which apparently makes our brains work better. I think that's what made the art class sketch go so well. That and an absolutely wonderful model, and friends.

Keep doing your good work.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

You are the sweetest and have been a supportive and wonderful friend since I met you. Thank you so much for your kind comment. Please drop in any time. I love your colours too, and your subject matter and how you paint. Love your work to the max.

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Nicki said...

You are so encouraging to me in my practice and I am certain I have never thanked you enough for it. THANK YOU. Your encouragement when I am in one of my personal struggles/battles is always welcome and I always feel shored up when you leave me a thoughtful message.

I love your work and I am so glad that the visit from your friend gave you a burst of productive energy.

Nicki XOXO

Barbara Muir said...

Dear Nicki,

Thank you so much. You have thanked me many times. Your encouragement means the world to me. I LOVE your art, and was at the Art Gallery of Ontario the other night in the Tom Thomson room, telling my students about your work, and how you are a complete original, yet you could be Thomson's great granddaughter. I told them how amazing your paintings are, and that you don't know how great you are.

I wish you could have seen them raptly listening to me, as room popped and pulsed with Tom's work.

XOXOXOXO Barbara

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!