Bad week for artists on the net, and what gives me hope

 

 Untitled (work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

It's a bad week for my blogger friends, artists on
Facebook, and artists on the net,  because
Wallpart.com has stolen images, and is selling
posters of the work of most of my artist
friends.  Please sign the petition by
clicking here, and help reverse this situation.

The young woman I'm painting now is
certainly a reason for hope for the future.
She is a valiant worker for important causes,
and has worked since she graduated with her
masters 5 years ago in government, advocating
for women's involvement, and women's rights
in Canada. 

I am still a long way from finishing this painting,
but I thought I'd show you the current stage.  This
is stage 4 or 5 and is where I'm at.  I just miss you
too much when I don't blog.

Have a stopping-the-rip-off-artists-and-enjoying-hope day.

Finishing work -- with a friend's help

From the market (work in progress)

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

Two weeks ago I started this painting after
buying an amazing bouquet at the Brickworks
Market here in Toronto from my friend Pegann.

I loved the bouquet, but it was unfamiliar in many
ways.  I didn't know any of the flowers, I am not usually
a fan of purple, and I just wanted to be fast and
loose in preparation for a big portrait I am working
on.

I was a flower painter first and foremost which
should have made it easy -- but post trip exhaustion,
then a horrific cold got me off track.

I was talking about all of that to an artist friend
today, who challenged me to do a painting in
purple, green, brown, grey, black and yellow.
Huh!  I thought.  What am I some kid just out
of art school?  Do I need assignments?

 Colour study

Acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

Well apparently yes.  Because working on that
little painting, with colours I would never choose
first, gave me my resolve, and I went back to
nearly finish the flowers.  Doing what was so
not me, gave me back the me of me.  Thank you
to my friend, the great artist, Franco.

Have a-trying-something-new-day.