Happy Halloween

 

Steven in the door waiting for

Trick or Treaters.

Many came tonight.
This is a photo from a couple
of years ago.  Tonight we sat oututside

because it was so warm, handed

out lots of candy, and had
fun with our next door neighbours who were

also sitting outside handing out candy.

It was a very Happy Halloween!

Tonight we sat outside in fall clothes -- no sweaters --
unheard of at this time of year. We had a basket that we 
refilled over and over, letting kids come, and pick halloween
chocolate bars out of the basket on our porch.  It was so much fun.

Our next door neighbour was giving out candy
too.  The children's costumes were wonderful -- lots of variety.
And the kids were sweet again-- so polite, careful not to take too
much candy even when we said they could.  Until the very end
when we asked some kids to help us out, and they took a lot
of candy.

So that was Halloween this year. Sweet.  I had a super dinner with
Steven ,and family dropped over to bring me presents and sing 
Happy Birthday, and eat cake.  So fun.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Wednesday -- Busy Day

Untitled (Work in progress)
Watercolour on watercolour paper
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024 

Hi friends, there's a whole lot going on here. More on that tomorrow.
This is one thing I worked on today.  A beautiful scene.  More on
that tomorrow.

Hope you're having a wonderful day, and that you're all ready for
Halloween.

Have a loving your life day.

More for the Off The Wall show

Golden Light

Acrylic on Birch Panel

Framed -- 6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2024

Here's another piece for the Off The Wall show. It's a simple ocean scene -- one 
of my favourite things to paint.  As abstract as it is, I can almost hear the waves
coming in -- what a pleasure.

Come out and see what's up for grabs (literally -- if you like a painting you can pay
for it and take it home right away), at the Off The Wall show opening at the Heliconian Club
from 2 - 5:30 on November 30.

Have a loving your life day.

Humour in the art studio

 

Front of card

Back of card. 

(As I said it is a Prototype.  So we 
may make changes before creating more of these.)
Barbara Muir © 2024

My husband came up with a funny idea, and that was a discount card
for my art. How it would work is that each time a collector buys art, they
would get a point for every $20 they spent. That point would be worth
one dollar, so depending on how much the collector spent, if they took
the points card, they could get a deduction on any work they bought in the
future.

I had help from a wonderful writer – my brother – for the title of the card.
And my wonderful printer Saint Clair Printing and Graphics made 25 prototypes
of the points card. I laughed so much today. It was so much fun so I’ll be
handing out the few I have to people who may collect my work. If you’re
 interested, you can email me at barbara.muir@sympatico.ca

And of course I also painted all day with great pleasure.

Have a loving your life day!

Another painting for the Off The Wall show

 The pick of Picton
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

Another spectacular day today -- a perfect Sunday.  I woke up with an image
in my mind, drew it, and painted it almost to completion before my third
coffee.  Now that's a good day.

Here is another painting for the Off The Wall show opening at the Heliconian
Club, 35 Hazelton Ave. between 2 and 5:30 on November 30.  Please come
if you're in town.  There are always treats, and the show is free.

Have a loving yourself day.

National Pumpkin Day

 

Steven carving a pumpkin
Photo
Barbara Muir © 

It's National Pumpkin Day and Halloween is almost here. This will be the scene
in a couple of days when we get ready for the big night -- Halloween. Our jobs
divide into me drawing the faces -- usually happy (I'm not a fan of the ghost/horror
part of Halloween), and Steven doing the carving. We both can do the scraping out,
and if we put the seeds in our compost -- watch out. Pumpkins could take over
the neighbourhood.

Tonight is Saturday night.  And as I've said before -- that's movie night.  So I
hope if you celebrate Halloween, that you're carving your pumpkins (and
maybe bringing them in at night as the squirrels go crazy for pumpkin),
getting your costumes ready, and getting the candy ready for the handouts.
Little kids just love this celebration, and so do the costume party adults who
were all over Toronto today.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy International Artist Day

 

 The opening ceremonies of the Florence Biennale

in 2015 -- dignitaries, flags, 

a procession through the exhibition

of people dressed in Renaissance costumes, 

playing drums. Lots of excitement!

Wonder water series © Barbara Muir 2015
The work I showed in
the 2015 Florence Biennale

I feel so lucky to be an International artist, and to have taken part in shows in
Florence, Italy, Paris, France, The Netherlands, New York City, and San Fernando
Valley, California. The excitement of International shows is not something you can
imagine unless you've participated.  So if you can, do take part in a show with
artists from all over the world, and enjoy the ceremony, the outstanding art,
and meeting some of the nicest, kindest, funniest most brilliant people you'll
ever meet.

I was just telling my sister that people say very negative things about Instagram,
but for me it's a way of contacting people, and maintaining friendships with the
superb artists I've met in my travels with art exhibitions. So delightful and
fun.

Happy International Artist Day.!

Have a loving your life day.

Another painting for the Off The Wall show.

 

Friends in Quebec City

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © Revised 2024

Here's another painting for the Off The Wall show opening at the Heliconian Club,
35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto on November 30 between 2 and 5:30 p.m.  I love
Quebec City, and this painting has the vibe for me.  Everybody there always
seems so happy and friendly.

This painting is set on the boardwalk. Quebec City is the closest thing Canada has
to Paris.  It is 100% French.  And it is the oldest city in Canada established in 1608.

We usually make a stop in Quebec City on our way to our school house in Nova

Scotia each summer.  And if we have time we stop there on the return trip too.
It's just so beautiful.  And the food is delicious.

Have a loving your life day.

Another painting for the Off The Wall show opening

Signs of spring at the pond

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2018 -- revised 2024

Here's another painting that will be included in the Off The Wall show
opening at the Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton ave. November 30 -- from
2 - 5:30 p.m.. It's a happy landscape based on reference photos from 

my friend Howard Wolinsky, the wonderful photographer, and amazing journalist.

Today I spent about an hour trying to photograph and crop an image of
another small work, and finally decided I had more important things to do --
like paint.  So more on that another day when I sort it out. Funny.

Have a loving your life day.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful family member, and Happy Monthaversary

Tulip love 

Acrylic on canvas board

6 x 6 inches

Barbara Muir © 2015

This was a painting I did for Valentine's Day 9 years ago.  In part it was to
reassure people that you don't have to get roses to be romantic -- tulips are
beautiful too. The subject is a beautiful woman in our family.

Happy Birthday to Megan, and Happy Monthaversary to Steven.  This is 
the Monthaversary of our first date -- which we celebrate every month.  I 

know I've told you that before.

I hope you have lots to celebrate.

Have a loving your life day.

 

More Inktober -- going to miss you October

Journal Sketch
marker on drawing paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

On a beautiful and hectic day -- Inktober saves the day.  Here's a 
drawing I drew with my morning coffee.  I tried not to fuss over
the simple beauty of her face, but of course I did. 

Hope you had a great Monday.  So much going on. I'll see you
again tomorrow.  For now I'm so grateful for this month's preoccupation
with line drawing and Inktober.

Have a great week.

Have a loving your life day.

Getting work ready for a big and incredible sale

The artists' yellow house
Work in progress

Acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © revised 2024
(When I started this painting our
friends' Flora and Larry's house was
painted yellow.  The last time we
saw it was purple and blue. Next time
it may be completely different.  And
isn't that the definition of art.)

This is one of many, many small paintings I'm revising, framing and
entering in the Heliconian Club Off The Wall show opening November
30 from 2 - 5:30 p.m.

The idea of this show is that the paintings, which are small and 
range in price up to $200, can be taken "off the wall" and replaced
when someone wants to buy one.  20% of the price will go either 

to a charity, or to keeping the Heliconian Club running. All good
causes.

It was an absolutely perfect fall day here with the ideal warm temperature,
and trees bursting into fall colour. We went to City Hall to be there when
my son and his friend finished the Waterfront Marathon.  Amazing. We were
so proud of them.

Afterwards we walked along the lake in one of our favourite parks, and felt
like the world was magic. It certainly looked exquisite in the end of day
light.

Have a loving your life day.

Pick any painting

 

See what I mean?

Acrylic on canvas

30 x 30 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019
SOLD ♥

It’s Saturday night, which is movie night at our house. So I generally look
 at my blog, find a painting I loved, and talk about that. Tonight I wanted to
 say, which painting would you choose to talk about in your work if you
could pick any painting you wanted? So I went on my website and looked
through my landscape paintings, and found this one that’s right for this time of year.

It was a spectacularly beautiful day today – Just warm enough to wear a sweater,
not hot and not cold. The light was brilliant, and trees are turning magnificent
colours of red, gold, orange, and brilliant yellow just stunning. We drove to the
market and home entranced -- feeling so lucky to live in this beautiful city.
That's a great feeling.

This painting sold in New York at the beginning of the pandemic. It was such a
treat that someone loved it as much as I did. Wishing you a great rest of the
weekend and a happy Saturday night.

Have a loving your life day.

Art all day

Journal Sketch

marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

 Last year on this day, I was talking about the wonderful feeling of
drawing a portrait. I did this quick sketch this morning.
What is magical about drawing a fast portrait sketch is making
 the person come alive in your own style sometimes in just a few minutes.

It’s been a long day of art all day. After the quick portrait sketch, I was
working on a painting, setting a figure in place, painting in the background.
I’m really enjoying this painting -- way too early to show you.

Then, in the late afternoon, some of us got together to create a banner
for Halloween. The youngest family members are very creative, and
made the most beautiful piece of art that will stretch across the house
when we’re celebrating Halloween. For sure all the neighbours will
decide that 'Yes these people have candy!"

Have a loving your life day.

What pops up

Sunset at the farm
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir ©˙

Working on painting today -- on all the prep work -- references, 
prepping the canvas -- you name it, and if you're an artist you
know the drill.  I came upon this little painting in my studio --
the rooms have just been radically cleaned. The painting is not
quite finished, but I like the joyous feeling it suggests.

I spent an hour and a half in line today -- and I'm grateful to
the sweet people who held my place so I could sit down
for part of the wait. It was all worth it when I got to the
kind woman at the desk who renewed my health card,
and driver's license -- complete with the obligatory new
photo in five minutes flat.

So here's a happy sunset painting.  I hope you saw
the Hunter's moon tonight. Quite spectacular.

Have a loving your life day.

Heiderose an incredible friend

 

Peaceful Lunenburg Harbour

Acrylic on canvas

11.5 x 15.5 inches
Heiderose Claussing ©

If we're visiting Nova Scotia we go to Annapolis Royal even if it's
just for 15, or 20 minutes before we get gas for the long journey back
to our school house between Wallace and Pugwash. We love our friends
at the German bakery, and loved meeting Heiderose and Dieter, who are the chefs
and bakers, and their daughter Susanne who frequently runs the restaurant. 

Heidi is also an amazing artist.  If we have time when we're in the area
we love to drop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or to pick up some 
pastries. Yum. If you visit Annapolis Royal give yourself a treat.
Go and see Heiderose's art, and eat their delicious food. 

This beautiful painting caught my eye, and Heiderose has graciously
agreed to let me show it to you. In fact she shared some poignant 
stories about her life in East Berlin growing up, and how hard it
was being accepted in Canada, and let me buy the painting.
It's beautiful

Thank you Heiderose for wonderful conversations, for your
incredible bravery, for lots of laughter, your amazing art, and
delicious food. 

Have a loving your life day.

The day after Thanksgiving -- Coffee!!!!!

 

Coffee with milk in

a cup

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2009

(This painting seems perfect

for today.  And I like that it

went to live in

Texas with my friend, 

the artist Susan Carlin.) 

Today I saw this painting scrolling through my blog.  I went to
see my friends who meet for coffee every Tuesday if they're
not working, and I was definitely not awake enough after one
coffee.  So of course when I came home after a second delicious
cup of coffee at my friend's house I was thinking about
how much I love coffee.  This painting went to my wonderful
friend, the artist Susan Carlin, in San Antonio Texas years ago.
And I'm glad she has it.  

The day after Canadian Thanksgiving is a day when you need
coffee -- to get back on track. I drank at least four cups and
have been organizing, drawing and working on a new
painting most of the day.

If you celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend I hope you
had a great time.  Steven and I had a wonderful dinner with our whole
family and two young guests.  So much fun.  And then of course tonight
-- turkey dinner #2.

Have a loving your life day. 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

 Flowers from our garden on the
kitchen table
My Happy Thanksgiving wish to you.
Happy Thanksgiving
Photo
Barbara Muir ©

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!  Families and friends
from coast to coast have spent the weekend gathering
together to express our gratitude for the bounty of
the harvest, for each other, and for the planet. 

We had a big family dinner, turkey and the trimmings
plus salmon for one family member, plus super
veggies and so many dessert choices.  Pies --
pumpkin, cherry, blueberry and apple crisp.
It was a delicious dinner with wonderful
company.

Have a loving your life da 

Gratitude for my mother

 

Isabel Muir
by Christopher Muir

Christopher Muir @ 2007

My mother died 11 years ago on this date.  It was Thanksgiving Day. We were
in Ottawa where she lived, and were in the hospital with her the night before
she died.  Our family who were in the city, had lunch together, then we drove
home to Toronto for another Thanksgiving dinner. All in her honour.

The beautiful portrait photo I'm showing you is by my son, Christopher.
I love it because it shows her strength, her beauty, and the nature she protected
with letters, her voice on call-in radio on CBC, in protest marches even when
she had a serious chronic lung condition, and with donations.

Here's what I wrote about her in a former tribute:

"A couple of weeks before she died, I sat with my mother, who
was totally blind, helping her fill out cheques to organizations she
believed in that protected the environment -- wolves, whales, parkland.
Those weren't her only passions -- she gave to women's shelters, money
for hurricane and famine victims.  Small amounts to be sure -- but this mattered.

She was a good, kind and supportive mother. Sure she could be
critical, but in small ways that didn't matter at all. Because what
shone through with her was her love for her family, her intellect,
(she had a Masters in Bacteriology), her concern about the future of
the planet."

We miss you Mommy.  You made the best Thanksgiving dinner.

Have a loving your life day.

We are very grateful for our market friends

 

Jens Eller of Marvellous Edibles Farm
with the painting -- Flowers in light

Acrylic on watercolour paper

5 x 7 inches

Framed
Barbara Muir © 

A very fun visit to the market today where Jens Eller the owner of
Marvellous Edibles Farm took home my painting Flowers in
Light, while we took home a delicious cherry pie, and a blueberry
pie (our favourites of all of their delicious pies), a quiche and 
beautiful flowers -- oh and organic lettuce.

Jens and his wife Ayse were chefs in Europe, and anything they bake
is beyond delicious. So we are more than prepped for the Thanksgiving
dinner, and Steven is going to make pumpkin pie (an absolute 
requirement in our family.)

I've been influenced by the work of Mitchell Johnson to look at my work
and see it in new ways.  So I suggested Jens hold the painting upside

down for the photo, because it actually looked better that way.  He

laughed and cooperated.

For more market fun check out my Instagram stories to see the two
young men who brought their very calm cats to the market.  Funny. 

Wishing you an amazing Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

Have a loving your life day.

And just like that it's Canadian Thanksgiving weekend

 

Today's flowers from the garden

Watercolour and black marker on 

watercolour paper

6 x 9.5 inches

Barbara Muir © 2013

We had a kind of art party with some of the younger members of our 
family today, and it was so much fun.

As I've said before I love the idea of a celebration based on gratitude.
In Canada Thanksgiving is about the harvest, and I love the day because
it's about food, getting together and being happy, and everyone can participate.  
It isn't a religious holiday -- it's available to everyone.

So here are some of the things I'm grateful for:

I always enjoy thinking about what makes me happy, but this weekend is about
reflecting on what's great about our lives:

1. I'm grateful for my wonderful family. Thank you for your love.

2. I'm so happy to have wonderful, kind, supportive, funny friends.

3. I'm grateful for my health. 

4. I feel so lucky to be an artist, and to be part of a vibrant worldwide
     arts community.

5. Every day the news makes me more, and more aware about how
    lucky I am to live in Canada.

6. I'm grateful for my street and all the great neighbours who
    live here.

7. I'm grateful for my garden -- which is at its peak now.

8. I'm grateful for our three animals -- two sweet cats, and a dog
    who is going to take us out for a walk now

9. I feel so lucky to be part of a community that includes you,
    and I thank you for your support here.

10. And up at the top of the list -- I'm grateful for my kind,
     and loving husband.

Have a loving your life day.

Belated World Smile Day (which was on October 4)

Nicole

Inktober sketch before Inktober existed

Marker on watercolour paper

12 x 9 inches

Barbara Muir ©

(Skype drawing from the 

Consumer Electronics Show

2009)

I noticed today that I missed World Smile Day on October 4, which is when
we are supposed to be kind to one another. (Yes I know that should be every
day -- but I am all for a day that encourages the practice.)

So I thought I'd look through my blog for images of people smiling, and found

this. It seems perfect because it's also the type of drawing I need to post for
Inktober.  Nicole was a great person. As I drew her live for the

Consumer Electronics Show, apparently we were displayed on a giant screen 

(I'm glad I didn't know). After that I did this more refined drawing.

I hope you will extend the World Smile Day celebrations until at least the end
of October, and spread kindness wherever possible. I know it might seem
frivolous when the world is in so much chaos, but I think kindness has never
been more important.

Have a loving your life day.

Inktober, Inktober Okay I'll start over

 

Journal Sketch -- 

Inktober

Marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2024

I drew another Inktober drawing today.  There's a lot going on -- so when
I went back to look at it, I realized it wasn't working.  This drawing of a

friend popped up in my sketchbook, and I thought -- yes!  I'll use that with a bit
more work.

It worked.  It is so cold tonight that I think I should bring the Mandevilla 
plants inside.  Last year we lost one on a cold night.  The other bloomed in
my studio all winter, and was quite the inspiration.

Have a loving your life day.

Sketch anyway

Journal Sketch -- 

Inktober

Marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2024

Okay, I admit that this was a difficult subject. I was using a very high contrast
black-and-white photo as a reference. I may try again. I think charcoal might’ve
suited the subject better. But here it is an Inktober drawing and a challenge.

I read somewhere recently that even if the drawing, sketch, painting isn’t working
 – keep on going. So I did. I’m laughing now, and the main thing is I did the sketch
 in about 20 concentrated minutes, and yes, I might try again. But as you know --
tomorrow is a new day.

Have a loving your life day.

What can art do?

Journal Sketch
marker on journal paper
6 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

We're on day 7 of the Inktober concept -- ink drawings for the
month of October. It's been a busy day and I haven't finished
a new drawing to show you, so I'll show you an older one that 
makes me happy -- from this summer.

The subject is a wonderful man heavily involved in the arts.
And that is all for tonight.

My question?  What can art do?  Art can reflect the incredible
beauty of the world, comfort us, calm us, and make us
understand the reason to keep creating, keep being loving,
keep trying to help the planet.  Quite a big role actually.

Try listening to some classical symphony music today. 
Uplifting is too mild a word for it.

Have a loving your life day.

The cats' birthdays

Fiona (17) explores the chicken that
was behind her cake.  No
she doesn't eat cake, and the cake
crumbled before we could photograph it.

Monet (3) says give me that chicken.
No she did not eat any cake!
But she does feel very happy to be
part of a family that loves to celebrate.

Two of the great pleasures in our lives are our cats --Fiona and
Monet.  They are both female Tortie Point Siamese cats. Fiona just turned
17, and Monet is 3.  Their birthdays are both on October 4th as far
as we can determine, and every year we sing to them (and so does
our dog Sally), and give them some kind of special treat (roast chicken
is their favourite and take their photos in front of little cakes --pretending
that they will eat birthday cake, which of course they won't! (Cats can't
eat cake.)

So today we tried to do the cake thing.  We knew it was two days late, but it was
the first time we had the time. We may have another try at it, because the cake
crumbled, and one candle went out prematurely. But we sang, and they got
their roast chicken treat, and seemed very happy.

Have a loving your life day.

Saturday night is movie night

 

A self portrait ink drawing from
my teenage years, that I

found today when we were 
looking through our storage room.
It's a bit rough, but very Inktober,
and I like the cranky look on her face.
I was wearing a big yellow, terry towel
robe, to put on over my bathing suit
after swimming in my parents' pool.

marker on drawing paper

7 x 10 inches

Barbara Muir ©

Saturday night is movie night at our house, so this will be short.  I wanted to

draw the prompt for today on Inktober, but didn't have time.  Saturday is always

a crazy, busy day for us.

I hope you had a wonderful day.

Have a loving your life day.

More Inktober

Loving the new kitten

Inktober drawing

Black marker on paper

5.5 x 8.5 inches

Barbara Muir © 2019

 It's Friday night.  I'm super tired. This is an Inktober drawing from 
2019, which suits my mood today. This is a portrait of me as a child,

using one of my father's fabulous photos as reference. 

I like the serious and loving expression.  Perfect for what's needed
today. The world is in chaos.  Let's be as loving as we can with
the people in our lives and the world. 

Have a loving your life day.

Inktober Day 3 -- Head to toe

Got my boot earrings on
Inktober drawing
Marker on drawing paper
5.5 x 8.5 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024 

The theme for today's Inktober drawing is boots. That made no
sense to me, and then I thought, "what if I do a portrait of someone
wearing boot earrings?" But I didn't want to do cowboy boot
earrings (believe me there are lots of them), so I thought I'd
draw a person wearing work boot earrings.

A bit awkward to figure out, but I'm okay with it.  I do 
ink drawings in October, but I don't usually follow the theme.
I'm more interested in making myself draw most of the time,
than in doing what's expected for Inktober.  Still I love the
idea of trying to make a drawing every day.  And I will
when I can.

Have a loving your life day.

On the road today -- so more Inktober

Joyous Anemones

an Inktober drawing

Black marker on
Canson Mixed Media paper

5.5 x 8.5 inches

Barbara Muir © 2020

We were on the road for most of the day today, and just got home, so
here's a favourite Inktober from 2020.  We had a fabulous visit to London
town -- (Ontario), and a delightful trip.  The fields right now, combined
with slightly turning trees, very blue skies, and gorgeous clouds make
me want to take a million reference photos.  But they'd be blurry 
because Steven drove at a good clip.

The garden is ripe with mind blowing anemones right now.  So this
seems perfect.

Have a loving your life day. 

October means Inktober

We miss you
Marker on drawing paper

5 x 7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2024

In our family October heralds a host of celebrations. After Thanksgiving
(Canadian) on October 14, we have 4 family birthdays in 3 weeks!
One thing I love about October is Inktober.  I don't know if I'm 
following the official rules, but here's a marker (ink) drawing that
I did today.

I hope the beginning of your October has been great.  Mine has.

Have a loving your life day.