Friday, January 8, 2010

In the Skype mood going through the door



Leaning in on the joke
Skype sketch
charcoal and conté on bond paper
6 x 9 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

School and my commissions all begin next week,
so I have needed this time to think about what
I want to do with my own work independent
of all that. I am leaning heavily towards
producing very large Skype paintings. Going
through my reference shots from Skype
tonight I found a super shot of a friend of mine
in Nova Scotia leaning into the frame the way
you sometimes do on Skype, and thought I'd
draw him.

I've done big faces before, and I really love the look.
So watch out. Is the computer screen like the new
frame? I am thinking about that too. How to
present my beauties. Anyway this friend has been
using a metaphor for artistic progress with me
for a few years --"going through the door."
Every time something exciting happens to me
he laughs like he is in this picture and says,
"I told you you were going through the door,".
So maybe envisioning these large portraits I am
once again putting my foot out into the wider world.
I think that's what he means. I always laugh when
he says it, even though I'm not entirely sure what
he means. He's just funny because he lives in the
Maritimes soaking in all of that clean air.

Have a putting-your-foot-out-the-door day.

4 comments:

cohen labelle said...

Barbara he is so cute I would have no problem casting him as the romantic lead. I read so much warmth and charm in his demeanour. What a skyper you are.
I loved our conversation. Now I'm running out to buy paper
love you,
Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

He is certainly the romantic lead in his wife's life. Truly, madly, deeply in love with her.

Thank you. I love talking to you too! I am feeling a bit less cold clogged.

Can't wait to see what you'll draw on that paper! No dystopias please.

Ciao,
Love you too,

Barbara

Gwen Bell said...

Wonderful portrait! The mere thought of your Skype paintings in a larger than large format is thrilling. Imagining all that energy and gorgeous color makes me giddy! Throw that door open and walk right through!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

You are so sweet. Thanks so much. My mind is jostling ideas (as usual),
so I'll see which ones take root.

I love your work.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

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!