The 22nd thing I learn on the 22nd of every month, and did again in 2024

 

ha

Me and Steven in our
winter gear about
about 12 years ago.
Photo
Dawn Yaeger 

It's the Monthaversary of our first date, which we take note of every month,
and always toast one another at dinner, even if we're just drinking milk.

I learn over and over -- every day really -- that love is great, and that we
are so lucky to be in love.  

Crazy busy time.  I am still working -- painting (as my son says -- "I know

Mom. You've only said that at least 70 times." True.) So I can't say much
tonight, except thank you to everyone who lifted my spirits and made

my day in 2024.  This man is most definitely one of those people.

Happy Holidays!

The 21st thing I learned again this year -- light is sooo important, and the light returning is a joyous celebration

 

Frescoes in a chapel in the 

Siena Cathedral,
in Siena, Italy 
Photo

Barbara Muir ©

I scrolled through my blog today, and found this image and post about the return of

the light -- what all of the festivals and celebrations at this time of year are about.

Light.  Today a dear friend of mine in Europe is moving into her new house --

a major deal, and she was so happy that the move was happening on the solstice.

Here is what I wrote last year.  I am working on a commission, and super busy.
Thank you for bringing the light into my life.

"Today is the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year! What
does that mean -- tomorrow there will be more light.  For me and
Steven 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 so exciting to meet international artists.  And it's wonderful
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.

I think exhibiting in Florence 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 of 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 absolutely brilliant in colour.  Every colour was so
bright. All of the Florentine art of the period 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!

The 20th thing I learned in 2024, which was actually revolutionary -- go ahead and do it!

Colours of Joy
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

This painting done for the All That Jazz abstract show at the Heliconian Club in
2024 is one of my favourites.  It's a big burst of joyous colour -- with the ocean --
incredibly red sand (not real), and a design I'm proud of (still available if you're looking
for a special gift).

Watching the best plein air painters like Pete Sinjin and Pete the Street, 

and transformative artists like Mitchell Johnson, and seeing exciting work by Janet
Vanderhoof, Flora Doehler, Norene Smiley and Heiderose Claussing, impacted
me in ways I wouldn't have expected.

In October and November I worked on preparing 37 paintings for a show on now
at the Heliconian Club called Off The Wall. (Only 16 are on the wall now. When 
something sells, new ones go up.) I've sold 4 paintings I think.  But what
the preparation taught me is that -- yes I can, if I go ahead.  I worked on things that
had a brushstroke, or a background and no subject, or on subjects I'd never tried before,

and knew exactly what to do without hesitation.  That has never happened to me before.  

The list of artists whose inspiring work made that happen is far too long to include,
but please know I am so grateful.  My brain is exploding with ideas and I am perhaps

more excited about making art than I have ever been.

Good thing.  I have a solo show in April at the Heliconian. Wow!

Have a loving your life day.

The 19th thing I learned all over again in 2024 -- Nature has the answers -- Go outside

 

Our Fall Blooming Anemones in full bloom
in October 2024

This one aspect of our beautiful garden
makes me so happy.  They were very late

 blooming this year because of the high

heat this summer.

Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

In Toronto at this darkest time in the year, it's a good idea to get out into whatever
little sunshine there is, and to bring the outside in with flowers, trees, pine wreaths

on the doors.  Right now our Amaryllis flowers from our best flower store are in 
bloom -- each vibrant red flower about eight inches across.  So magnificent!

Still working on my commission, so can't make this a long one.  Wishing you

a magnificent holiday season, and hoping if you do have snow you can get

outside to ski, skate, or -- wow walk.

Have a loving your life day.

The 18th thing I learned in 2024 -- I love celebrations.

 

Sketchbook drawing of our

fireplace mantle and stockings,

and the roses on the

coffee table.

Red marker on bond paper

Barbara Muir ©

People are aching for celebrations after the long social distancing of COVID.
And COVID isn't over, no matter what the Orange Maggot says.  Friends
have had it recently.  I haven't been with them, but they've said that it was
devastating.

Tonight we went to a small, neighbourhood party.  Everyone was well.  And
it was so lovely.  Steven and I are still wearing masks in grocery stores, and every
public place, but wow it was so sweet to talk to friends of our friends around
the corner, and friends I haven't seen in years because we have to be so
careful.

So yes.  I am a celebratory person.  And I am glad I am.  Don't worry.  We will
continue to be ultra careful.  But what a delight to sit and talk with people 
we love being with.

Have a loving your life day.

The 17th thing I've kept learning every day in 2024 -- I have so much to learn

 

After the dance reading the paper

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches

Barbara Muir © 

(my son Christopher was

the model for this painting in
my Dance series)

A client asked about this painting the other day because she loved the
mood and the colours. And it was fascinating to me that she'd gone 
through my blog (nearly 4,000 posts long) to see paintings that appealed
to her.

This has been a year of constant learning, like most years are, and when
it comes to languages, art, reading and conversations with people from
all over the world, I love that learning.

I wrote a good blog post about this last year, and I'm working on a
commission due before Christmas, so I'm going to share my
thoughts from last year.

"One thing I know for sure, is that I have so much to learn.
Something I've been trying for the last couple of years is 
learning how to say thank you in -- get this 7,139 official
world languages. In Canada there are 2 official languages --
English and French.  I have taught English writing and 
Business writing, and Presentation.  But despite taking
French in school from kindergarten on, I can
understand it, but not speak it at all well.

So that's one thing -- language.  Then there is learning about
the many different cultures of people I meet who have lived
around the world.  If you do travel, you know that if you 
haven't visited a place, you don't know it. You can see
1,000 pictures of the Eiffel tower, and not know how it
looks in real life when you visit it, or drive by it in a taxi,
or see it as you sail down the Seine on a tour boat. So
different.  But we can read, and study and see films and 
speak with people to learn about the places we may never
visit.

Learning is essential if we are going to fix humanity's
disruptive behaviour, and save the planet."

Have a loving what you're learning day.

The 16th thing Iearned again in 2024 -- the world is filled with wonder

Happy Anniversary Tea 

watercolour and marker on
watercolour paper

 6 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 

Whether it's walking into the art supply store near the hotel we like
in Paris, and having Jean Philippe invite us for apertifs and to meet
his wife, or meeting a wonderful woman who works in crisis 
management and her beautiful daughter at the ice cream store today, where
I parked because there was no parking and I had to pick up printing
nearby, or talking to a beautiful and amazing client over cookies 
today -- my world is filled with wonder.

And as I said many times before this doesn't mean that I don't acknowledge
that there is so much pain and suffering in the world, or that there are
worried in my life.  It means that being an artist means I am lucky to 
marvel at the world.  

Have a loving your life day.

The 15th thing I learned again in 2024 -- I love my art group

Art group sketch

Mountain climber

Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

I love painting with my art group.  They are such inspiring, kind, 
funny artists. Our group happens every Tuesday evening in 
Forest Hill Collegiate -- the art space for both the Forest Hill
Art Club and the Don Valley Art Club. And it is so fun.

I am a very slow painter, but with the group my husband drops

me off at 7:30 and picks me up an hour later.  I set up. There
are breaks, I paint, then I take down my easel and table, and clean

up, and get a painting in that hour.  Inspired by the artists,

and the model. 

I think I might have had 30 minutes to do this painting sketch,

and I like it. Thank you to my art group for another year of
super inspiration.  Your work is beautiful, and I learn 
something every time I paint for such a short time with
you.

Have a loving your life day.

Yes Joy matters. The 14th lesson I learned again. I'm not religious -- but joy for the world would be good.

The night of the tulips

Watercolour and marker

on watercolour paper

9 x 12 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Seeing this painting from years ago made me happy.  And I thought we've got

to get some flowers in here because they are an immediate source of joy. We will
soon have Amaryllis plants in bloom, and that will be awesome.

Last year on this day I talked about how Louise Hay once asked what word you

would use to define the year.  In 2017 I said "joy", in 2023 "resilience", in

2024 I would use both "magnificent", because so many parts of my life have
been magnificent, and "surprise", because it seems the surprises (mostly good, 
but some terrifying) have been endless.

And yes a great many people, events, beautiful views, flowers, music,
have given me joy. So I am very grateful.

Have a loving your life day. 

The 13th thing I learned again in 2024 -- it takes a village to keep an artist going

 

Steven and me in front of my portrait

You can't keep a good man down

(Acrylic pen and acrylic 

on canvas 3 x 4 feet)

at the opening of the Heliconian Club

Life Drawing Exhibition in 2020

The photo is of me and my main supporter -- my husband, who is at every
show, helps me with both the heavy work of displaying art, and with the logic of my 

thoughts, and process when I'm working hard on a painting. My family
have been incredibly supportive of me. And I am so grateful. Love you
family.

I am lucky to be a member of the Heliconian Club, which has been a delight

since I joined in 2019, and a member of the Don Valley Art Club. I've 

exhibited my work in recent years mostly in the beautiful space of the 
Heliconian Club when I'm not showing internationally. And the weekly
drawing/painting night at the Don Valley Art Club is a treat.

Then there is the wide community in the social media world.  I'll 
include Howard Wolinsky, Oprah Winfrey and Alyson Stanfield in my
list there.  And all of the people -- friends I've met at shows, friends 

from my community, and friends I've made online who like, buy,
enjoy, and support my work.

Maybe it takes an entire world to keep an artist going.  And please

know that I am so grateful to all of you.

Have a loving your life day.

The 12th thing I learned in 2024 -- be happy to be amazed

 

Pete Sinjin, the Brooklyn plein air painter
I met randomly walking along the Seine in Paris
in May.  As we spoke awkward French
to each other about what he was doing (measuring
lines with his paint brush in the air), we
shared names, and he found out I'd
been one of a number of artists
who said that his work was 

great, when a silly art critic tried to put him down.

Instant friendship. Amazing!

Photo

Steven van Schaik (my husband) © 2024

Speaking of being amazed. Yesterday back in good old Toronto was pretty great
 -- and the hits just kept on coming.  I mean thank you universe! A collector called
to say that the painting she bought last February needed a companion. Yes! Happy to help.

I went to my opening last night at the Heliconian and sold two paintings to
two very sweet collectors, had delightful conversations, and sold some cards. 
All in all a very happy night -- a treat.  And at the end of the opening I got called

in to a meeting going on in the meeting room, and offered a solo show!
Awesome. Please come to the opening of that in April 2025 if you're in Toronto!

More info to come.  

That's very nice. So I am excited because the Heliconian gallery in what was once
a church in Yorkville on Hazelton Avenue, is not only a beautiful space -- it's big, so
I can create some large, new work to add to the mix of my other work!

In 2019 Members enjoying the presentations sit under

the work from the Encounter show.  I loved

seeing them under the wall featuring my work. 

The works with clouds are mine. 
So this is one wall of the gallery part of the
club! And I will have the entire space in
April! Wow!

Here's to a great holiday season for you!

Have a loving your life day!

The 11th thing I learned again in 2024 -- Pets are amazing -- the sweetest

Monet the cat
It's the third
anniversary of her
adoption.

We normally (well twice) celebrate Monet's adoption anniversary, but
today was the second opening of the Off The Wall show at the Heliconian,
and I was there from 4 - 7:30 p.m.  It was really fun, so to honour Monet --
here's what I said last year edited for the time changes:

"This is the third anniversary of our adoption of our cat, Monet.
She is a wonderful warm, intelligent cat.  My husband Steven
has his office in the basement.  He comes up to the kitchen for lunch,
and Monet comes up with him.  When he is ready to go back to work, he says
to Monet, "back to work," and Monet runs downstairs and jumps
into her basket on top of the dog's cage, that's in Steven's office.

Our dog Sally will sing Monet a Happy Adoption song tomorrow night
because we were out tonight, and our cat Fiona, who is 17 will be jealous,
and everyone will get a treat. "

Fiona is also wonderful, and has been our cat since she was 9 weeks old.
And Sally the dog is lovely.

Have a loving your life day.

This is # 10, and should perhaps be #1 -- I learned again to work on being happy

 Me with my painting

 Breakfast in the Skylight Diner NYC

30 x 30 inches

Acrylic on canvas

Barbara Muir © 2014

At Art Shopping Carrousel du Louvre

in the Louvre, Paris

June 2015

SOLD ♥ 

I know that sounds simplistic, and perhaps like I'm ignoring the world.  But
no.  A friend even accused me of using "platitudes." But no. I acknowledge every
way that I am lucky in my life.  And in the face of a world that seems to get
more messed up, and depressing by the minute, I try to notice and enjoy what's
good, heartening and enjoyable. 

As I said before, "I still believe that if we take action whenever we can,
and give what we can, to help with what we can, we owe it to those who
are suffering to appreciate how blessed we are." And I know I am.

My family is not enduring a senseless, devastating war.  We have food,
and shelter, and people who love us, and at the moment work. Plus
we're looking forward to a festive season with family and friends. 

I was extremely lucky to teach Positive Psychology at the college
level for 10 years. That taught me a lot about how to be happy.

Have a loving your life day.

#9 What I continued to learn in 2024 -- humour is such a gift!

 

Steven and Me laughing
I know that I'm lucky I married
a man who loves to laugh. 
This photo was taken during the holidays 

quite a few years ago, but laughter remains a
major part of our family life with way more
stockings on the fireplace. Our whole family is lucky.
Photo
Chris Muir © 

It wasn't an easy year -- lots of worries, but I'd have to say it was a good
year -- so much love, incredible travel, for me great art shows, and 
commissions. 

And the thing I continue to learn over and over is that funny people
(basically my whole family), make even hard times better. That
doesn't mean that sorrow, loss, hardship aren't part of the picture.
It means the ability to enjoy life, and to see what is funny is 
so important.  Thank you for all of the laughter you gave me
in 2024.

Have a loving your life day.

The eighth thing I learned in 2024 -- my love of Paris and our friends there continues

 

Maison Sauvage 

Rue de Buci, Paris
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2024

The eighth thing I realized again in 2024 is that I love Paris -- more than ever.
This year we visited Paris for a week that began in April and ended in May.
A perfect time of year.  Just exquisite. We were super happy, and loved 
it for all the same reasons.  We walked everywhere, enjoying my 
capacity to walk, because my knees have improved. 

We did visit the Musée D’Orsay, and the Orangerie.  The first time we walked to the
Musée D'Orsay it was closed, and we sat down on a curb to watch young 
skateboarders jump off a five foot high structure onto the concrete below.  Of
the five in the line to try it, only one didn't fall.  We were amazed that they could pick themselves up, and try unsuccessfully again. And again!

After that we walked happily back to our hotel. We saw friends and just loved
every minute there.

Of course it is my dream to go again.  And if you can, I hope you do.

Have a loving your life day.

The 7th thing I learned again in 2024 -- light is huge for artists

A most beautiful tree

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2022

Steven and I are in love with a specific tree in Toronto.  I couldn't tell you

the street it lives on, but I could take you there. We take a route home from our
favourite grocery story, up a tree lined street, and then into a neighbourhood that has
one of the most beautiful trees -- pine I think -- in the city.  

We love that tree year round.  In a city filled with trees it's a bit weird to have 

a stronger attachment to one tree.  Of course we love all of them.  But this tree --

probably 50 feet tall is a stunner. As I said in a post on this last year:

"Steven and I are light chasers.  I realize that.  All year round we
try and see the sunset. And this month when the 21st comes, and
the days start getting longer we will be toasting one another
with a small glass of champagne! Hurray.

Meanwhile the brilliant (pardon my pun) thing about December,
especially in a colder climate, is that in the darkest month there
are lights everywhere. 

Last year this very tall, majestic beauty was lit so beautifully in
December that we were in awe every time we saw it.  This year 
some people put lights on in November, and we kept thinking
the tree would be lit early, but it wasn't.  December 1, we drove by and
started shouting yay, and almost jumping up and down in our
seats with excitement. (That's right some people never grow up.)

The picture in no way does the beauty of this 50 foot tall beauty
justice, but it does give you an idea.

It is majestic all year round, but with its lights on it's spectacular.
Here's to all the lights in Toronto right now, making this otherwise
cold, and sometimes grey season, a treat.

Have a loving your life day.

 

The 6th thing I've learned over and over in 2024 -- Friends make the world go round

The photo of me and Miranda Brouwers that appeared in the

Dutch newspaper, The Carillon on December 29, 2015.

We are standing in front of the landscapes

Miranda showed at the Florence Biennale in October, 2015.

Miranda is a very positive person, and we started the
Happy People Group (not official) at the Biennale to help
all of the artists we knew stay positive.

Today was the feast of Sinterklaas for my friend Miranda Brouwers and her family who
live in The Netherlands. Sinterklaas is like our Santa Claus, and he came on December
5th in the evening. People give gifts and enjoy the excitement. Today was a day of celebration.

Miranda and I made friends at the Florence Biennale in 2015 and have
shown together in the Carousel du Louvre in Paris too.  But what is
wonderful is that we talk on the phone once a week, most weeks, and
the conversations are delightful.

I am lucky to have wonderful friendships with artists. Their work, posts
and encouragement make me so happy.  

This year we were so lucky to get to visit Paris in May and saw friends there.
The year before Miranda and her husband Rolf made the 5 hour drive from the
Netherlands to spend some wondeful time with us.  Miranda has a wonderful
laugh, and is generous, and kind beyond measure.  

I love this photo from nine years ago of me and Miranda.  I hope we can
show together again. 

Have a loving your friends day. 

The 5th thing I learned over and over again in 2024 -- Creativity has a soul

Dream Selfie -- Wonder Water Image #7 Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2016

SOLD ♥

What do I mean by that? Some of my friends who know that the word soul bugs me, will see this and say,"what's happened to Muir?" But in this case

I suppose soul means heart, and so much more. When someone inspires me, and I'm doing their portrait, the portrait comes to life. In this case, we actually got to have live conversations (it was before COVID), and the beautiful woman, Regan Daley, posed for me, and let me take pictures in her own home, and in mine.

Regan is a writer with a big heart. Her cookbook sits on my kitchen counter. Every recipe is delicioud. She is the mother of three. Now she and her husband have moved to the country, and are running a farm. So she is amazing beyond compare, and that vivid loving being comes through in one of my very best paintings. She is not the face on my business card for nothing. People immediately react and agree that I am an artist. Yes I am. But the painting wouldn't be alive without

its subject.

Have a loving your life day! 

The 4th thing I learned again in 2024 -- Hope matters

Cottage Flowers
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

At the beginning of 2024 my husband had some inadequate doctors.
Tops was a bladder cancer surgeon in January who ended up giving 

him a staph infection that almost killed him. We went to Paris in May

thinking that our lives would completely change when we got

home because the report from that bad surgeon, only available

online, (he never spoke to my husband about it in person) said that
the cancer (bladder cancer) had spread, and my husband would have
to have his bladder out.

The week we came home from what we thought was our last
beautiful visit to Paris, in May, my husband had exploratory surgery to

see what had happened.  A week later the new surgeon, who is wonderful
and at a different hospital, said that there was no cancer.  It hadn't spread,
he didn't know what the other doctor was talking about!

I had hoped all along that this was true.  And it was. Miraculous.

The new surgeon said that he would keep up treatments to
prevent the return of the cancer.  And that has gone well.

The message.  Hold onto hope, and get a second opinion.  Also
deep gratitude to our anti-aging doctor who got us the new surgeon.

Have a loving your life day. 

Another thought that repeats -- People who love are loving

Wonder Water Image #5
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
Emily, my son Sam's wife.
This painting travelled to Florence 
and sold in New York City
SOLD ♥

Today my message is the same as last year, and also just as important. Hang around people who love things -- the chances are really good that they will be more loving. So I am repeating last year's post from this day:

"It is my daughter-in-law Emily's birthday, and Steven and I feel
so delighted that she is part of our family. She is kind, funny and loving.
I did this portrait of her in 2015. And we love Emily.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Thinking of the concept of love. I am borrowing some thoughts
from a post from a couple of years ago. It would be hard to match the love I feel
for my family and friends. And it's my experience that people who throw
that word around, who love people, and paintings, music, humour, ice cream,
and flowers, and coffee, and wine, and pretty clothes and their jobs -- also
love each other, the environment, the planet, fairness, equality and will fight,
not in a shallow way, to take care of the people, the neighbourhood, the city,
the country, the planet that they love.
I am all for spreading love, for loving as much as possible -- for complimenting
a book, a movie, a friend, a loved one. We are trained to be reticent,
and it isn't getting us anywhere. So guess what? I love that you are reading this.
And please go out and gush over your family and friends. Love, love, love.
You cannot ever love enough in this lifetime."

Have a loving your life day.

The second thing #2 that I learned again in 2024 -- you can't be too kind, or too loving

Sweet Sunlight and Coffee

Acrylic on canvas

18 x 24 inches

Barbara Muir © 2023

SOLD ♥ 

My friend, Howard Wolinsky who I met via the phone and Skype when
he introduced me to the Skype community as a Skype Sketcher, recommended

writing a list of things you learned in the year during the month of December.

I like what I wrote last year.

The second thing (really the first thing) I learned again in 2024

I wrote a piece in 2015 to explain why I sign so many of
my letters with XOXOXOXOXO, and it resonated with me again
today. Sadly the pandemic is (still) not gone. I miss all of the things we
did without thinking before.  Now we still have to think about
gatherings, vaccines, when and where to wear a mask. I changed
the dates in the quote to fit 2024.

"To all my friends and family who cannot be in
Toronto this year for the holidays, please know
that I love you and you are in my heart.

I learned the strong power of love when I held
my mother's hand as she lay dying 11years ago.  It was
not about regret, although of course I wish I
could have spent more time with her.  My sadness
was about knowing I couldn't see her, hug her
and speak with her again.

After she died I knew I had to live to the fullest,
not for her, but because she would want me to.
And I understood in the most intense way
possible that however many years I had left on
the planet, they would not be enough to give
out enough love to the people I care about,
and to the world.

I don't mean to overpower people with the
XOXOXOXOXO.  I just mean to say I know
without question that however many X's and
O's I can put at the end of a note they will never
convey how important the concept of being
loving, and kind is to me, or how much I care
for the recipient.

Many friends at this time of year are sharing
ideas about beliefs and ceremonies they
enjoy.  But the common thread in everyone's
background is the importance of love and kindness.

Thank you for yours in 2024, and thank you
to all my friends and family for helping us to
enjoy yet another year of the pandemic. Yes it's
not gone.  I know people who have it right now.

XOXOXOXOXO to all of my friends and family
everywhere!"

Have a loving your life day. 

Where I need to go -- heading towards the light

End of day light
Toronto in the distance from
Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2020

Despite all of the recent scary changes in the world, my post from last
year on this date still rings true.

"A few years ago Howard Wolinsky, the amazing writer and 
photographer, whose piece about me on his Skype blog got
me noticed by Oprah Winfrey's people in 2009, asked about
the things I had learned that year.  It's a nice tradition to notice
what mattered as the year ends.  This has been both a wonderful,
and hard year.  Wonderful in terms of a super life, kind friends,

happy travels -- hard in terms of wars, climate change, loss
of work, and serious illnesses in the family. This first gratitude
from last year still holds true.

#1 of 23 (or 1 in 24)
I wrote this a few years ago, and it still works as one of
the first things I learned again in 2023. (And it is also
one of the first things I learned in 2024). I am not religious,
so what I like about the festive season, is the joy around
the light returning, which is all about rebirth -- a new year,
new ideas, new possibilities.  

Steven and I are sunset chasers.  By which I mean, we love
to see the sunset, and because we are also more late night
people, we rejoice as the days get longer.  So this is what
I learn every year -- try and be the light.  

In recent years the news has frequently been harsh:
fires in California, fires across Canada, hurricanes on the
east coast, climate change so out of control, 32 countries
experiencing wars, mass shootings in America. A normal 

reaction is to feel despair.

But as I said a few years ago that despair is not generative
-- it doesn't lead to change. And change has to happen now
for the sake of the planet.

I do believe that celebrating the world is one of the most
vital reasons for making art -- to inspire people, and help them
to love the planet, and value all of our lives on it."

Have a loving your life day. 

The opening today was so much fun

 

Summer perfection

Acrylic on watercolour paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

I don't know if you've ever experienced this, and it makes no sense, but I
was so engaged in talking to people and enjoying conversations, and
selling my cards for $20.00 for a pack of 4, that I didn't take any 

photos of the show.  And it is beautiful, and on until January 30!

Your next chance to visit me at the show is from 3 - 7:30 on December
11. I'd love to see you then, and I'll bring holiday cards as well

for that opening.  We had an absolutely magnificent spread of food, and
it was agree by all that the coffee was delicious. 

Thank you to my friends, and all of the visitors today.  Come out on
December 11 and buy some paintings "Off The Wall."

Have a loving your life day.

The big story today? Come to the amazing small paintings art show tomorrow!

Hi friends,

The day is almost here. Drop into the Heliconian
Club tomorrow (Saturday, November 30, if you're
 in Toronto -- 35 Hazelton Avenue.  I'm there from
2 - 5:30 p.m.

Great art, great coffee or tea in beautiful china cups, 
great treats -- cookies, baked goods -- great company!
We'd love to see you. 

Yes the club looks like a church, but it's not, it's an art
 space, and has been for more than 100 years.  So come on in.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy American Thanksgiving to my American family and friends

Happy American Thanksgiving to all of my family and friends in the United States.

I love our Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, because it's just about family, friends and
great food.  The most fun.

Today I delivered 35 beautiful paintings to the Heliconian Off The Wall painting show.  The event

is actually a Black Friday weekend event, happening on Saturday, November 30, with
beautiful art at such reasonable prices, that if you're in Toronto visit 35 Hazelton Avenue
between 2 and 5:30 and pick up a stunning piece of art for someone you love, or your

boss, or anyone who might delight in what they see. Your gift will be wrapped,

and ready to go the moment you decide to buy it.  The best!

(And side note, there will be delicious cookies, and coffee and tea in china cups.)

Have a loving your life day.

 

The final round up

Pansies want  to party

Acrylic ink and marker 
on watercolour paper

5.5 x 8.5 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024
(the name just changed out of necessity --

labels crisis for packing)

Today -- like yesterday, and the day before has been about getting paintings 
ready -- mounting, framing -- for the Heliconian Off The Wall show, and
the work goes in tomorrow morning for the opening.  

I posted some of the paintings I'm showing on Instagram, and had a super
response. So wonderful.  Come on down to my 35 Hazelton Avenue in Toronto
if you can on Saturday between 2 and 5 p.m.

Have a loving your life day.

Come out to the show!

 

Pansies in a jam jar

Acrylic on canvas

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

I have 36 paintings in the Heliconian Off The Wall Show opening this Saturday, from
2 - 5 p.m.  Come on down to 35 Hazelton Avenue to see the show.  It's a sale, so all

of the work is incredibly reasonable.  If you like something you see here, or on my
instagram site, and it's not "on the wall," just ask me, and I will go and get it for you. 
That's the whole idea of the show -- sell it, pack it, give it to the collector, and hang
new work by the same artist in its place.  Pretty cool.

Pansies are one of my passions -- prompted by the flowers themselves, my parents, who loved
them, and one of my favourite art teachers -- a painter of doom and gloom --
with the exception of his joyous pansies.  So there are some different styles of my pansy
paintings in the show, plus landscapes, still lifes, portraits.  And that's just my work

(I haven't seen the show yet .  It goes up Thursday.)

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Anniversary tomorrow to Emily and Sam -- Second anniversary!

 

Our son Sam and his wife, Emily
Photo
© Emily and Sam's Wedding 
Photographer, 2022

In the middle of getting ready for this weekend's opening, I had

to stop for a minute and remember my son and Emily's wonderful
wedding, two years ago tomorrow.  We had so much fun.  We
danced all night -- I got 13,000 steps just dancing -- the best D.J.

We are so happy for those two -- happily in love -- so fantastic.
Here's to another incredible year!

Have a loving your life day.