An unusual request for body parts.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:24 AM

There is photographer in town that photographs baby body parts. I had someone ask me would I paint or draw the same? I told her I would think about it and get back to her.

So, I put Liza on the sofa with my black Gap skirt in front of a window to see if I could photograph something similar to what she describes. When I loaded my disk to the computer I was SO HAPPY with the results, of course this is MY baby and Im sure that plays a part. So now I have a series of her "body parts" and I plan to print these out and frame them all together. Which is what this mother has asked me to do of her baby, only she wants it done in a series of small paintings.

I'm curious as to what you think of this idea, and if you think these would be good reference material. I personally love them as they are, but am not sure what I think about doing what has been asked of me? Your honest opinions are valued.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:26 AM

a hand.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:28 AM

hand.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:30 AM

Face.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:32 AM

her hands.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 09:36 AM

I'm sure by now you get the point.

Would you do this? I'm very undecided. If you would, what medium?

Michele Rushworth · 08-23-2003, 11:13 AM

I think these would be great paintings! Any medium would do.

It would be important that each image be instantly "readable" and not present any confusion as to what it was. I was confused as to what the shape on the right was in the first photo you posted. It was immediately clear that the shape on the lower left was a baby foot but I wasn't sure what the other shapes were at first.

How did you set up the lighting? I'm not sure what you meant by your use of the "black Gap skirt."

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 11:57 AM

I literally put a black skirt from the Gap on my khaki sofa so that it would be a black background.

and the only lighting I used was from the windows. There was a sofa directly behind the sofa (that is why her fingers are so bright in the one of her on her back) and then there was a window to the left of the sofa. The arms on that sofa are very low, so most of the light that fell on her came from the left.

Mary Sparrow · 08-23-2003, 11:58 AM

What size would you do these for a series that will hang together?

Michele Rushworth · 08-23-2003, 03:33 PM

I always like paintings life size. They seem more real to me.