Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wow that was so much fun!!!



Oprah Winfrey
Skype Sketch
willow charcoal on Canson Mi-Teintes paper
11 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

People who don't know me cannot possibly know how much
I like Oprah. I probably started watching her show when it
first started running in 1986. Since her magazine began
publishing I've bought every issue, and enjoyed the range
of articles in the publication. Oprah is certainly one of the
most amazing women in the world, and a major hero for
me. So it was a huge thrill to be on her show. Watching
myself today I could tell that I was nervous, because I wanted to
be spontaneous like the people in Harrods who were cheering
with delight. But of course I was also conscious of the fact that
I had a job to do, create a portrait in the time span of
the show, and get that drawing right while watching Oprah.

Believe me from the time her team called a few weeks ago,
until I actually drew Oprah live on the show, I must have stared
at her face in my collection of magazines every free second,
studying her features -- which as you must already know -- are
incredibly beautiful.

What was it like drawing Oprah via Skype? Like an incredible
dream come true. For someone who loves people and faces
the way I do, to get to draw her lovely face, and meet such
an exceptional person was the ultimate treat -- just the best.

My drawing tonight is the sketch I did of Oprah.
I will never forget the intensity of creating it. What
an experience!

Have a memorable day.
at

31 comments:

  1. L.HolmMay 21, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Barbara!! I can't believe i missed yesterday's post, and so didn't get to tape this! Congratulations! that is so incredibly cool! wow. what an amazing experience and a wonderful drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barbara MuirMay 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    Hi Liz,

    Thanks so much. It was so incredibly cool indeed. I appreciate your kindness.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  3. claud-hopMay 21, 2009 at 10:49 PM

    Hey Barbara,

    Congratulations on your fabulous success! You were on Oprah... OPRAH! That's awesome. You are awesome. Yay you!

    Love,
    Claudia

    P.S. I was at work, so I was unable to get to a television, but perhaps you taped it? For me to watch, yes?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laurel DanielMay 22, 2009 at 5:47 AM

    I am SICK that I missed your post yesterday. I didn't see show and I didn't DVR it... darn, darn, darn! You did such an incredible job with the drawing - WOW - I bet she loved it. And I just know you were the most charming guest and that your kindness beamed through skype to everyone in the TV audience. BRAVO to you.

    No one deserves this wonderful honor more than YOU! YAY!

    XOXO Laurel

    PS - if you do find a way to put it on u-tube or link it up, let me know!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    Hi Claudia,

    Thanks so much. No I didn't tape it,
    but I think I have friends who did, so we can watch it sometime in the next few weeks.

    It was really fun.

    Take care,

    Love Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  6. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    Hi Laurel,

    I'm sorry you missed it Laurel, it was fun. I don't have a tape of it myself, and my husband hasn't seen it. I'm so sorry. We're hoping one of my friends has a tape of it, so we can watch it. It was a great show --
    not because I was one it -- I just mean altogether it was just amazing how people can now communicate on Skype.

    Take care,

    XOXOXBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  7. RosemaryMay 22, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Barbara, an artist in Raleigh, N.C. emailed to rave about seeing a Toronto artist paint Oprah on her show! She didn't give me a name, but I just knew it had to be you! Congratulations! So sorry I missed the show...but You Go Girl! This is totally awesome!

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  8. Jenn JilksMay 22, 2009 at 9:02 AM

    I just saw the show. What a delicious treat, and great marketing! You go, girl!

    I love my Oprah, too! I usually watch it a day or two behind while working out!
    / My Muskoka

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 22, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    Barbara, I was able to catch the second half of the show....though we have TERRIBLE TV reception here. I heard Oprah say the she liked your kitchen (me too!!!) and she loved the drawing.
    Congratulations!!! We are both proud of you!!
    Flora and Larry xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sandra GaldaMay 22, 2009 at 12:47 PM

    I got to see it because just by chance I was surfing thru artist blogs after posting my daily painting yesterday, and saw your notice! I tunned in and saw the show! You did great! The drawing is very good!!!!

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  11. PPHMay 22, 2009 at 3:52 PM

    Hi Barbara,

    You were fabulous! Amazing!! It was the coolest ever. I had goosebumps, all my friends watched too. Just think, my sister-in-law was on Oprah!! Totally wonderful!

    I'm so glad you had fun too! I DID!!
    love,
    pat

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  12. PPHMay 22, 2009 at 3:55 PM

    Don't know why damman is my blog name? sorry,not my choice!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Karen BrusonMay 22, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    Barbara, Oh, I wish I checked your blog yesterday. I missed the show!! Of course, I was at work anyway but how exciting and she is soooo beautiful. You really captured her eyes. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gwen BellMay 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    Your drawing is wonderful! And you didn't seem nervous at all...in fact, just the opposite...very much the Cool Artist presenting a very cool new Art Genre. I like the part where you said "and that's what I do". You looked so pretty and confident and your home looked so inviting. What a dream! I've re-watched it twice now. Love Laurel's suggestion of putting on youtube! Congratulations. It must have seemed surreal. It just doesn't get any better than Oprah.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    Hi Rosemary,

    Thanks so much. You are right. It is totally awesome. So much is happening.

    I really appreciate your good wishes.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  16. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    Hi Jenn,

    What a cool cottage blog. Thanks for the warm wishes. Yep it was great.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  17. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Hi Flora and Larry,

    Thanks so much. It was so much fun talking to the two of you on Skype. The little sketch that started an avalanche. Like the wings of a butterfly or something -- my sketch of you.

    So wildly exciting.

    Have to talk to you really soon, you helped me so much.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  18. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    Hi Sandra,

    Thanks very much. I'm glad you liked the show. I thought the whole thing was exciting -- all the fantastic ways people are using Skype.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  19. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 6:02 PM

    Hi Pat,

    So nice to see you a few weeks back. I'm glad you liked the show. It was
    really amazing to be part of that.

    Love Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  20. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    Hi Karen,

    I'm glad you liked Oprah's eyes. Yes they are absolutely amazingly gorgeous. I notice that in every picture of her, and watching the show.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  21. Barbara MuirMay 22, 2009 at 6:06 PM

    Hi Gwen,

    I'm glad you liked the show, really glad. No I won't be putting it on You Tube. That contravenes copyright laws, and there's no way I'd do that.

    It's exciting to me that you liked it.
    That's what matters.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dana CooperMay 23, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    I saw you on Oprah! I think that is so cool, and I remember thinking how you really captured her, congrats!!

    You will have to post the video on utube with a link on your blog so all your fans can see it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AliaenaMay 23, 2009 at 7:34 AM

    Hi Barbara!
    I just wanted to add my congratulations to the chorus of voices here. This sounds like such an amazing experience for you. I haven't seen Oprah for years - since I moved to France, but I have always really respected her work and her path. I'll try to find out if the episode is available via her website. Sometimes they have sections of the program on there. If I'm understanding right you aren't able to post it on YouTube? Is that right? Either way - a thrilling experience and am so happy for you from afar. I'd also love to know more about Skype portraits!!! Is there somewhere I can read up on it? Sending you all the best from France (apparenfly one of the few places in the world where Oprah is not on TV!) Although now that I say that - who knows? - I'll try to make sure and find out...) Aliaena

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  24. Barbara MuirMay 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM

    Hi Dana,

    Thanks so much. My husband just got to watch it on my friend's huge screen. So great. I loved the whole show.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  25. Barbara MuirMay 23, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Hi Aliaena,

    I love what you said about Oprah's work and her path. Yes both her work and her path have always inspired me. I like the idea of trying to make a difference while you're on the planet. As a teacher I am always talking about Oprah as an inspirational figure -- so much so that when kids do presentations on school success, they frequently do skits of the Oprah show. So this whole experience has been over the top super for me.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  26. Liza HirstMay 24, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    Again I come late with my comment (sorry!) and the other visitors have already said it all. Congratulations, Barbara!!
    Unfortunately I couldn't watch you on Oprah (being in France like Aliaena) but asked my sister in Michigan to do so for me. So the following day she told me all about it and I was very happy for you! What a pity you can't put it on youtube - I would love to have watched you on the show. Your drawing is great!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Barbara MuirMay 24, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    Hi Liza,

    I'm glad you like the drawing. I couldn't be more delighted with everything to do with being on Oprah. I'm glad you're sister in
    Michigan watched it. I would have loved it if you could see it, just because you would completely understand what it was like, and how fantastic it was for me.

    xoxoxoBarbara

    ReplyDelete
  28. David LobenbergMay 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM

    Kudos to you, mistress of Skype art!

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  29. Barbara MuirMay 24, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Hi David,

    Thanks so much. Plus I like the title. A strange thing to be mistress to, but there you do go.
    I accept. It has been fun.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  30. Dayna TalbotMay 26, 2009 at 5:46 PM

    Barbara...Saw you on Oprah...Congrats....
    Love your work!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Barbara MuirJune 26, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    HI Dayna,

    Sorry I missed you. Thanks so much. This was great fun!

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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