Friday, March 12, 2010

Our funny gadgets



Hunting for facts

black marker on bond
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

You may already know that I am a fan of Skype for
art. But my reasons may be somewhat subversive.
I like the bizarre angles you get when talking on
Skype -- like the view I'm showing you tonight of
my friend in Mary in Vancouver. In a recent talk
I had with her this is what I saw for most of the
conversation -- her absolutely shockingly blue
eyes, and her full curly head of gorgeous chestnut
brown hair.

What was she doing? Looking something up for
me on the computer to try and get me to go and learn
about something she was doing or saying. The
computer is a fantastic gadget. It wasn't long ago
that if she wanted me to read an article or book she'd
send me a letter, or call me and tell me where to
look in the library. Now she is hunting for research
while we talk. Everything is so immediate. We
have to know now! It makes for interesting
drawing ideas.

Thanks Mary for this cool view of your happy
curls.

Have a loving-the-strange-machines-that-rule-our-lives day.

6 comments:

Gwen Bell said...

How do you manage to show so much intensity in a quick sketch? Man, you are good!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

It's a marking weekend, so anything but quick is out of the question. Perhaps there's intensity there because I've known this friend for most of my life, so her features are burned on my brainscope.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Melinda said...

I think this skype portrait is fantastic! You have so captured your friend's expression. Just wow! The concentration, the focus, the lack of self-consciousness--it's all there perfectly in line. I love it!

Very impressive work.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

Thank you so much. I'm glad you like it. I like it too. Anyone who's talked on Skype has seen this kind of cut off face. You are a real sweetie pie for getting it.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Nicki said...

Oh this is so fun! I talked to my parents the other day on Skype (they are in the States on holiday) and the right side of my mom's face was off screen for most of the conversation. Too funny.

Nicki :)

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Thanks so much. What's neat about Skype is that it doesn't even matter how much of the person's face you see
it still feels great to be able to see someone you care about.

XOBarbara

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!