Saturday, September 23, 2023

An exciting memory!


 Ubaldo Vitali, Alchemist
Winner of the
MacArthur Genius Grant in 2011
Black marker on drawing paper
9 x 12 inches
Barbara Muir © 2012

Looking through my blog for portraits today I found this post from
2012, and felt so happy. I’d been asked by HLN CNN to feature Ubaldo Vitali. 

Enjoy the post and my portrait of the wonderful Ubaldo. 

"This week I was contacted by HLN CNN and asked if I'd like
to talk on my blog about the silversmith, Ubaldo Vitali, who
won the MacArthur Genius Grant in 2011.  I watched the clip
and was so impressed with this lovely, humble man --
a fantastic artist, with a wonderful face, that I had to draw him. 
The show The Next List, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta on
CNN at 2 p.m. this Sunday, May 20, will feature Ubaldo Vitali,
and I think you will love it.

Something he said in the short clip I watched impressed me
so much.  He said, "I know exactly who I am; I know where
 I'm coming from, and I know where I'm going."  How many
 people do you meet today who have that kind of self-knowledge?
 As a teacher interested in helping people improve their self-esteem,
this one sentence and Vitali's feeling of being part of a long line
 of artisans delighted me.  He added that in the computer age more
 and more people are disconnected from actual art, and how seeing
art in museums and galleries is transformative. Wouldn't it be
great if more people voiced this message?

Vitali's designs are exceptionally beautiful, but one of my
favorites is the classic take-out paper coffee cup, only this time
in silver, lined in gold.

Watching the video I can easily understand why Vitali won this
prestigious award.  His work and his story are inspiring, so if
you get the chance -- check him out. 

Have a being-inspired-by-magnificent-art day."


2 comments:

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

I love your drawing and this one says so much of the person❣️ it is unusual I think to know who you are and where you are going. I looked him up immediately and his work is gorgeous. What a coup to draw this wonder artist. ❣️❣️❣️❣️

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you Evelyn,

This came up when I was scrolling through my blog, and I felt so
happy remembering.His work is spectacular.

XOXOXOXOXOXO 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!