Glorious simplicity

Spring pleasures 
Acrylic ink and marker
on watercolour paper
7 x 9.5 inches
Barbara Muir ©️ 2021

What are the benefits of going on a walk late on a spring day? The answer is a
refocus on the bountiful, glorious simplicity of my neighbourhood. Even when
I have to wear a mask, move out into the street if someone’s coming, and stay far
 apart from anyone I see who is a friend, the site of the magnolia trees coming to
 the end of their flowering with huge blooms wide open, and the sidewalk and lawns
 covered with their petals, makes me so happy.

The tulips this year are more beautiful than ever. Is it because we’ve been locked
 inside? Or is it because the blooms are bigger – so big because it’s been quite cold
and raining a lot. I don’t know. But they are spectacular. And every flower and leaf
seems to leap out at me and say," look at this!" I do, and I am in a constant state of
wow. All that from a walk.

Add to that this painting I’ve worked on today to try and capture the pansies and grape
hyacinths before their season is over. What a pleasure! Drawing and painting teaches
me more than almost anything else to try and concentrate and stay in the zone. The zone
 in question is the feeling of being an artist, and just letting it flow. So satisfying.

Have an enjoying glorious simplicity day.