Thursday, December 21, 2023

The 21st thing I learned again this year -- the light returning is so wonderful



Frescoes in a chapel in the 
Siena Cathedral,
in Siena, Italy 
Photo
Barbara Muir ©

Today is the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year! What
does that mean -- tomorrow there will be more light.  For Steven
and I this is huge, we are so happy that the light is coming back.
And light comes into your life metaphorically in so many ways.

I'm showing an image from my time in Florence -- being part of
the Florence Biennale changed my life in so many ways.  It
was exciting to meet international artists.  And what is wonderful
is that many of us are still friends, some through social media, and
some of us have met again in person -- delighted to see each other.

Here is what I wrote in a former blog about the experience.  I think
it let the light of glorious friendships, and spectacular memories
into my life.

"I met new friends, saw amazing art, fell in love with a
country I had only dreamed of, and heard 
of from both of my
parents, and many of my friends who had either 
been born in Italy,
or had parents who were
Italian.

My ancestry connection is that my great, great, great grandmother
was Florentine.  So being in Florence made me very happy.
Part of the thrill of being in Italy, was taking a bus tour around
the area where we were staying, to Siena, and Pisa.  The image
tonight is a fresco in the Cathedral in Siena.  Our tour guide
used her influence to get us into a spectacular chapel in the
cathedral, and changed my view of art from the period.
It turns out the art that was not damaged (in this chapel very
few visitors are allowed to enter, because breath damages
the colour) is brilliant in colour.  All of the art that was subdued
in colour was according to this guide, damaged.

Woo Hoo.  May bright colour reign supreme.  It was one
of the most beautiful rooms I've ever been in in my life.

Wishing you a very Merry Holiday Season.  Looking forward
would I love to return to Europe. The answer is yes."

Have a loving your holiday time day.

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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!