Tea in the gallery with Marcia
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
(In the original I tried to include
a suggestion of Marcia. Looking
at it in December I realized the
figure part, and yellow background
weren't working. I painted out the
figure and changed the background
colour and like it much better. Besides
Marcia you deserve a proper portrait.
This year I promise I will do one!)
When January hits I try to give myself a
self-promoted challenge to do a painting a day.
The exercise is demanding and inspiring. But
this year I'm working one a few larger pieces
and they are my full time concern.
As I said in my last post, before my show at Super
Wonder Gallery in December, 2015, I was blessed
with seeing some of my work with fresh eyes.
Some of my work needed major transformation,
but for other small works changes in colour in places,
and in the backgrounds did the trick.
I don't know what gets in the way of complete vision,
but I'm sure nerves, the distractions of everyday
life, and a whole series of negative thoughts
dive into a frightening mix.
Painting in the studio
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
(I think the inspiration for this
might have come from Edward B. Gordon
who gets so much drama onto a very
small board. But to start out this
painting with all its bold intentions was
a bit weak. I am quite happy with where
it ended up.)
It's so great to surface and like seeing the sunlight aftera cold, deep dive in the lake, on a summer's day.
Tonight I'm showing you a couple of examples
of paintings I revised.
Have a seeing-the-happy-light day.
I love how both paintings turned out Barbara! The green makes for great focal interest in the first painting and I love the great vibrancy and busyness of the second one. You have such a wonderfully distinctive style!
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you are on a roll with your successful changes and tweaks. It must be very satisfying for you!
XOXOXO
Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteThe tweaks all happened before Christmas. Now I'm concentrating
on some big pieces to go in a show next week. I hope to be
able to put one on the blog soon! It did feel wonderful at
the time -- you know how it is with painting, when you're on
the next thing, the last thing is a pleasant memory. But yes
it did feel really good. Awesome.
Love your work,
XOXOXOXOXOXO (still reading --- slowwwwwwly. Don't want the
book to end.)
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I am so loving your work.
Just wonderful. Great design, colour, light.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
A very inspiring post! It's a treat to see our work with "new" eyes and it's always a treat to see yours, tweaked or not!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for your very kind words on Howie, much appreciated.
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I totally love your work, and your words.
You are so amazing. It is a pleasure to make a painting sit
well that didn't really finish satisfactorily. What's exciting
is to keep learning, and learning and learning. The whole
point really. Looking at what you do teaches me a lot.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
'Tea in the Gallery With Marcia' has a great cascade of shapes and it has a mystery with just the reflections of a figure(Marcia?) on the table. I also love the colours. always love seeing what you're working on Barbara. The painting of you working in your studio is delightful...such energy! wonderful
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Yes the shapes were created by Marcia's shadow on the very dark and shiny table at the AGO. I'm glad you like both paintings. The second one just needed
more punch.
XOXOXOXOXO Barbara