online store heirloom portrait — Blog information about art history, updates about projects, shows, portraits, & more. — Fine Art Paintings & more

heirloom portrait

Revealing the Depths: Embracing the Language of Facial Expressions

Within each of us lies a masterpiece waiting to be unveiled – the intricate canvas of the human face. It's a living tableau that captures the essence of our innermost selves, painting a vibrant picture of the emotions coursing through our veins. From the gentle curve of a smile to the tender gleam in our eyes, every contour tells a tale of joy, sorrow, love, and longing.

Our faces are more than mere features; they are portals into our souls, windows through which our emotions dance freely. With a single glance, we can convey volumes – the furrowed brow of concern, the twinkling eyes of mirth, or the quivering lips of anguish. These subtle nuances, these silent whispers of emotion, bridge the chasm between us, transcending barriers of language and culture.

From the moment we enter this world, we are wired to read the language of facial expressions. It's a universal dialect, understood by all, that binds us together in a tapestry of shared experiences. Our ability to recognize and interpret these signals not only enriches our relationships but also deepens our understanding of ourselves.

In the mirror of our own faces, we discover a treasure trove of insights into our emotional landscape. By tuning into the subtle cues that play across our features, we gain a greater awareness of our inner world, unlocking the door to self-discovery and personal growth.

The human face is a marvel of complexity and beauty, a testament to the kaleidoscope of emotions that define our humanity. It reminds us that we are not islands unto ourselves but interconnected beings, bound by the threads of emotion that weave through our lives.

So, let us embrace the power of our faces – these exquisite instruments of expression – and celebrate the rich tapestry of emotions they reveal. For in doing so, we not only honor our own humanity but also forge deeper connections with those around us, weaving a web of empathy and understanding that spans the breadth of our shared existence.

Magazine Feature

"Handmade Sellers" Magazine

I had to honor to be featured in the "Handmade Sellers" Magazine. WoooHooo!

Forgot to mention this to anyone (it's a winter issue from back in January- #77).

You can subscribe for free: https://handmadeseller.com/subscribe/

Thank you for taking the time to look over this article. If you’d like to learn more about my story go to: https://www.camillebarnesstudio.com/studio-blog/camilles-story

Keys to lasting connections

Good human relationships are built on a foundation of love, trust, and understanding. In this article, we explore the key elements that contribute to strong and lasting connections between individuals.

Communication: Effective communication forms the bedrock of healthy relationships. It involves active listening, expressing oneself honestly, and fostering open dialogue to build understanding and resolve conflicts.

Trust and Respect: Good relationships thrive on mutual trust and respect. It means honoring boundaries, being reliable, and showing genuine care and support for one another.

Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and empathy create an atmosphere of compassion and emotional support. Being able to empathize with the experiences and emotions of others fosters deeper connections and strengthens bonds.

Good human relationships are nurtured through effective communication, trust, respect, empathy, and compassion. By cultivating these qualities, we create a foundation for meaningful and fulfilling connections that enrich our lives and bring joy and support to both parties involved. Let us cherish and invest in the elements that make good relationships thrive.

The Beauty of the Human Face: A Captivating Tapestry of Expression

The human face is a remarkable canvas that showcases the intricacies of emotion, identity, and individuality. Its beauty lies not only in its physical features but also in the wealth of expression it can convey. From the sparkling eyes that shimmer with joy to the gentle curve of a smile that radiates warmth, the human face is a tapestry of emotions and stories waiting to be explored.

Each face carries a unique story, reflecting a person's journey, experiences, and personality. It is a window into their soul, revealing their hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. The face holds the power to captivate us, drawing us in with its raw authenticity and connecting us on a deeply human level.

The beauty of the human face lies not in its adherence to conventional standards but in its diversity. Every face, regardless of age, gender, or cultural background, possesses its own allure and charm. It is through this diversity that we celebrate the richness of human existence.

Faces are also symbolic of our interconnectedness as a species. They are a universal language, transcending barriers and fostering empathy and understanding. In their subtleties and nuances, faces create a tapestry of emotions that bind us together in our shared human experience.

As we navigate life, we should embrace the beauty of the human face. Let us appreciate the lines etched by laughter, the wisdom carved by time, and the uniqueness that sets each face apart. By cherishing the beauty of the human face, we honor the stories it tells and the connections it fosters, ultimately celebrating the incredible diversity and wonder of humanity.

Memorial Portrait

16 x 20 Oil on Canvas Portrait

I'm thrilled to have completed this portrait commission, especially because it was created in memory of a dearly loved family member. It's always an honor to be chosen to create such a special gift for someone. Sometimes painting someone's portrait goes beyond just seeing the face, it's about capturing the essence of that person. In this case, the subject loved fun, bling, and brilliant colors. So the client and I decided early on to add the gold and make the flowers a bit fun and quirky, to kind-of go along with this sweet lady's style.

Murphy and Linda's Portrait

Murphy is a kind, easy going guy. I met with him several times at coffee shops as we inspired each other to come up with a portrait that would represent a journey together for him and his wife. The couple have been married since their youth, and they have always had pets that were a part of the family. So it was decided to incorporate of few of these little guys into the image. Typically a portrait will have a much more simplistic background but this painting needed to be more than just their images, it was to represent their story of togetherness.

This was always one of their favorite pictures, so the plan was to make it the central theme of the portrait.

After the painting was about halfway completed, Camille made the decision to use a different photo for Linda because this photograph was challenging to work with, especially when it came to the “details” (they say that the devil can be in the details, yep…art joke)

here are a few images of the progression

drawing and underpainting stage

Putting on a new face

The underpainting helps in determining the values needed in each area.

After spending an enormous amount of time on their portrait, our home caught fire. I waited outdoors for the firemen to arrive. Our entire street was filled with white smoke. Our neighbor said it was so thick she couldn’t see across the street. Several fire trucks came, a few police cars, and the paramedics. You know what they say “if your home was to catch on fire, what would you run in to get?” Yep, I actually had that thought. “MURPHY’S PAINTING!” Then in I ran, but I didn’t have to run through fire, just plenty of smoke. I darted up the stairs when I heard a fireman shout at me. “What do you think you are doing?” I shouted back “I’m trying to save something”. He then yelled out “get out NOW!” So I left (after getting the painting to a safe place.)

Our son and daughter-inlove we so kind to take us in to stay with them while we transitioned into a rental house. I had a makeshift studio in their sunroom. When my grand-darling would get home from daycare, she’d sit on my lap and pretend to paint. (Her brushes did not have paint 😁)

Because of hurricane Ida, the fire and the first and few other hurdles I had to cross…this portrait took longer than usual to deliver to Murphy, but he was graciously patient with me.

I have a video that shows the progression here from beginning to end:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmjJiTXtMsc&t=22s

Hope you enjoy!

Landry Portrait

Commissioned by a son for his Mom. (that makes this one really special)


The Story behind the Arceneaux Portrait

Mr Arceneaux contacted me about createing a portrait for his wife (a surprise Christmas present).

He sent family pictures for me to work from, however I needed to add another person, his father-in-law.  His wife lost her father last year, his passing broke her heart.  A photo of him dancing with her at their wedding would suffice for this project. 

09NB_PA_0007.jpg

Their little boy needed some adjusting...

 liked his face here:

& his pose here:

For her dad, I would have to find someone to pose for some photos so I could create a new body of him for the portrait.  My husband was the model.  (He's a model husband.)

A rough draft was sent for approval & critiquing:

Two different photos were used to create the background.  Well, that's the beginning of the story.  The end of the story has not arrived as of yet.

PS. The drawing & underpainting was completed by Christmas, to give as a gift.

 

The first photo really did show enough of the Mom's likeness because her head was tilted downward...another photo was used to replace her head.

 

Here's a short video showing the whole progression of the painting:

 

Dave

Oil painting demo from Artist Camille Barnes

 

Hope you have a moment to check out my other social media sites.

http://www.camillebarnesstudio.com

www.facebook.com/ArtistCamilleBarnes

: https://twitter.com/CamillesStudio

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CamilleBarnes pintrest

https://www.pinterest.com/ArtistCamilleB/ instagram

https://instagram.com/camillebarnesstudio/ google+