Sunday, November 14, 2010

Skype painting revisited


Taking a break from painting
stages 9 - 12
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010

When I was interviewed about Skype by Howard Wolinsky
and again for Pure Design I said that one day I'd like to
make huge Skype paintings.  So far this is the largest size
I've painted purely from Skype.  I've painted many other
portraits using Skype reference, but in this one I'm trying
to show the Skype experience -- the actual look and feel of the
conversation.  Of course the screen look changes
as the technology design changes, and from computer to
computer.  The changes are also affected by the transmission,
by the sophistication of the in-built, or add on camera
each person is using.

I love the images of Henriette I'm working from.  The light
is that magical frosty late night computer light.  But I want
to retain Henriette's warmth, the feeling that comes across
talking to her.  So much fun.  Today I worked on the painting
quite a bit more -- standing back and listening to music while I did.
And I was having such a wonderful time. There will be more to come.

Today I was going for the light, correcting the volume of her hair,
and fleshing in the small symbols that run across the bottom of my
screen.  Some of these are already hieroglyphs of a past moment in
Mac history. Which is just one of the things I think is cool about this
 type of painting.  Everything in it is new for about five seconds, and
then the next technology turns it into a story about a time that's past.


Have a yep-that's-just-how-it-was day.

8 comments:

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

I think this is a really exciting painting and you have portrayed Henriette as a very warm person.

I like that you included the little corner screen of you, just like it would be on Skype!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Nicki XO

Gwen Bell said...

What a gorgeous painting! I'm sure it has a real "WOW" factor in person at that size. Wonderful job on the skin tones and kind eyes. Love the addition of the icons at the bottom.

hugs
Gwen

cohen labelle said...

Hi Barbara,
This is an amazing and delightful portrait of your friend Henrietta. How you are able to develop a blurry image on your monitor into this dazzling portrait of a beautiful woman astounds me! I also love the eighth note icon of itunes smack in the middle of the dock - with the postage size image of yourself under her arm - it has a kind of wonderful pop art flourish to it!
love, Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi NIcki,

Thanks so much. Henriette is warm and witty and compassionate.

When I'm finished the bottom corner there will be a
little portrait of me too.

I hope your weekend was great too. Mine was super.
XOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Gwen,

Thanks so much. I'm not quite finished the skin tone.
I started adding a bluish tint to the neck and arm, but
I will probably tone down the colour in the face. Don't know. Yes I'm enjoying working on the icons. This is our lives today (well I'm a Mac person. So it's mine.)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

The secret to the image in this one, is that
Henriette has a Mac I think. The cameras are so
good in Macs. It was almost like being in the room with her.

You are too sweet.

Love Barbara

Anonymous said...

this is just gorgeous BArbara! I love the way you've included the stats bar at the bottom and how it gives the whole 'Skype' feeling. It's a joy to look at.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

I'm so glad you like it. Yes it's coming along. It's got a ways to go to be the completed work I'm seeing in my mind, but it's on it's way.

I really appreciate your support.

XO Barbara

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!