First session

Untitled: Work in progress

Acrylic on canvas

18 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2020

Today was a glorious day, and the beautiful model Fatouma came to sit

for me. I never paint outside, but because of Covid, Fatouma couldn't pose
inside, so I set up my easel on the back porch, Fatouma posed, and we had
a delightful time together. 

I found it hard to focus in the bright light. I felt awkward using my simple
palette. Still she is so funny and understanding, and speaks perfect French
(we both grew up in Ottawa, but she went to French schools, and I didn't). So
we kept breaking the pose by talking, and joking in both languages, and I am so
grateful to my new friend for the good time.

To explain myself today I told Fatouma that when I did portraits on
commission, I said in my contract that it would probably take 12, three hour
sessions. Today was more about experimenting, having fun and reminding
myself about how I do this thing called painting portraits.  

Have a getting back into it day.