Friday, January 3, 2025

An artist on vacation? Come to my opening tomorrow (Saturday) at the Heliconian Club,

 

My husband Steven and Monet the cat 3 years ago today
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2022

I am on vacation (at home) this week.  This does mean cuddling on the couch in my studio
with Monet who is now huge.  But she is every bit as affectionate. And tomorrow it means
an opening at the Heliconian Club, 35 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto. Please come on in if
you're in the neighbourhood.  No it is not a church. It became a women's art club in 1909.

We will have goodies, and excellent coffee on gorgeous china, and a lot of beautiful art at
crazy low prices (yes including mine).  I'd love to see you.

Meanwhile back to the "holiday."

Have a loving your life day.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

New Year, New Day

New Day
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009
(The painting I was finishing
when the Oprah Winfrey Show
producers called, and asked
me if I'd like to draw Oprah via Skype.
My answer? Yes!) 


This was a wonderful day.  I joined Steven who was out walking our dog Sally --
very cold, but no snow and it was sunny.  We said Happy New Year to everyone,
and a woman from the Ukraine said she could only say it in German, so she
did, and I did. (I studied German in grade 10, and miraculously a lot of it
stayed with me.)

Then we went down to the lake, and walked in the magnificent light at sunset.
Beyond magnificent.  I loved what I said about the new year -- and the
magic of possibilities in a former post:

"So I was looking for a painting by me that would speak about it being
a new day, and this work showed up -- called New Day.  And it was.
My whole life changed on the day I finished that painting, because 
that was the day I got called by Oprah Winfrey's producer, and asked
to be on the show via Skype in May, 2009.  My thanks to my wonderful
model Shakoya, and to Oprah Winfrey, who I will be grateful to forever. "

I feel quite hopeful about the coming year.  True there is a lot to be worried
about.  But I feel nothing but joy when I think of my artist friends around
the world and how we support each other.  As Tania Rivilis wrote the 
other day, "May the art be with you."

Have a loving your life day.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Happy New Year!

 

View from our hotel in Florence in 2016
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2016

Happy New Year! I'm choosing to look at 2025 in a positive light despite all 
indications on a world scale that that may not happen.  Once again let's work
together to create beautiful art, live generously and happily, and enjoy each
moment on the planet.

Like many others I am hoping for a ceasefire in every war zone. One quarter of 
the way through this century it's time we grew up and quit thinking that violence
can help anyone in any way.

Happy New Year.  I hope you have a wonderful year. 

Have a loving your life day!
 

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!