Friday, December 11, 2015

Never the same twice -- the artist's life

Snow scene Cherrywood
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
This week I've been working on a commission for
a client who really liked a painting that was on my
blog, but was gone.  My job?  Try to recreate that
painting based on photographs.

The house is across the street from me, and I've
painted it many times in different seasons, just
because it's directly in my view.  Artists tend
to paint what they see.  But trying to redo what
we've already done is a completely different scenario.

I know there are whole schools that teach the
fine art of copying,  and people deeply immersed
in every brushstroke of Vermeer, and Bouguereau,
but my job was to try and copy me.  And nothing
ever looks the same way twice.  An artist's quandary.

Still I did have fun trying, and I like this version
better than the original, and that is an artist's
reward.

I hope you enjoy it.

Have a trying-to-walk-in-your-footsteps day.

8 comments:

Wendy Barrett said...

I love the composition and the colours Barbara. I bet the client is very happy with the outcome!

Barbara Muir said...

Wendy I've started reading your book, and I'm so impressed with you.
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful comments
in this past year -- they've made me feel wonderful!
Happy Holiday!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Karen Bruson said...

I am constantly repeating paintings. Not easy. Yours looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

I like this one too! I hope you know that the original is at my porch gallery along with a small selection of your other paintings. Would you like me to send them back to you?

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Then you know how it feels. Peculiar, but also fascinating,
because your view of the world has changed. Boy has mine.

XOXOXOXO Barbara Love your work.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Wow, I wish I could get there, no don't worry about it. I will probably head up to
Ottawa in January if I am not teaching. I'm glad I did it again.
I feel better about this one. But if you can sell the other one,
please do. (How funny!)

Love your work,

XOXOXOXO Barbara

Verna Vogel said...

Hi Barbara!

Those older Toronto houses are so beautiful! I've only made one copy of my own work and boy, that was difficult. You've done a very fine job! Not that I've seen the original *laughs* but this is a lovely sweet painting. The shadows of the tree branches on the roof, that's my favourite bit.

Merry Christmas!

:)
V

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you so much Verna,

It was a challenge, but also fun. Lately I've been looking at some of
my small, older work and instantly seeing what I could
do to make it work better for me, so this was that kind
of opportunity. Mostly I find that because I work so much from
reality, getting a step backwards from that resource lets me
be more direct with the painting. What a treat.

Love your work, and have loved your comments throughout the year.

Happy, Happy New Year to you.

XOXOXOXOXO 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!