The delightful influence of other artists' art

 

Dreaming of Florence

Charcoal on bond paper

18 x 24 inches

© Barbara Muir  

Today I'm posting a drawing I love of one of my models Shakoya confidently wearing a halo.

I was inspired by the art of so many artists in Florence, Italy when I first showed my work at the Florence Biennale.  And I loved the halos.  I'm not religious, to me they just indicate that the person is special and loved. 

I'm working on a painting that is deeply influenced by the art of John Singer Sargent.  We'll see how it works out. The model is sitting in the same pose as Sargent's model, and in a similar background. Her close echo the clothes Sargent's model was wearing and yet

the painting is so different (not just because I could never paint like Sargent), mainly because the model is so now, so contemporary.

Just thinking about how another artist worked more than 100 years ago is fascinating.  The current model is not wearing a halo.  But she deserves one for being so kind and patient with me and my ideas.

Have a loving your life day.