Oh, what a long strange trip it's been. Actually, not that long. I started this series on February 7, 2009. Just over 2 months to do fifty small paintings. Mostly knife work. All are 5" x 7" in oils, on canvas panel. All but two are landscape format. Don't know why I did two vertical, I guess just to mess the display up.
I did this series to show what might be accomplished by using the technology that is available to us today. By using Google's Streetview technology I have traveled to 49 states and Washington, DC. Hawaii hasn't been posted yet. When it is I'll do it and update the series by that one, taking DC out.
I'm hoping some good may come out of this series, that Google will allow, i.e. give permission, to artists working in traditional methods (no digitally altered art) to use Streetview as source for reference material. This would open up an entire world for artists that are disabled and confined to their homes or facilities, or with restricted mobility.
At this point I have contacted Google concerning the use of Streetview. When a decision has been reached, and they let me know, I'll then let everyone else know.
Please feel free to join in on the Virtual Paintout, April is Amsterdam. Paint away, but until Google has decided whether to allow artists to use Streetview as a reference, I'd hold off on selling any of the works. Of course, that is only my humble opinion.
As for now this is the last (until Hawaii) of the series. 5" x 7", oil, canvas panel, palette knife. I left my home state until the end. Sort of anticlimactic don't you think?
As a side note...Google did give permission for artists to use Street View as a reference, and artists can sell their work without fear of copyright infringement. See sidebar here, and on the Virtual Paintout blog for more info.
8 comments:
Congratulations, Bill! Quite an accomplishment. It will be interesting to see what Google Street View's stance is.
Not anti-climactic at all, a lovely painting to your usual high standard. I'm hoping to join in on the Virtual Paintout so I'll be interested to hear Google's decision on the use of Street View too.
This is such a cool idea... I hope that Google agrees with you on its potential for disabled people.
I'm also glad that your back didn't put you on the limited list. Although your 50 states paintings are really wonderful, there is such joy in actually getting out and seeing the places that if one didn't have to miss it... one shouldn't.
Thanks Liz.
Thank you Sharon. I'm still painting from streetview, but just not offering anything up for sale yet. I've had several offers on some of the state series paintings... :(
Hi Marian. I think actually painting on location gives me more pleasure than anything else.
Very cool project! Did you know that Blogger's draft site (draft.blogger.com) lets you link your posts to a Geo Location? You should use it to link your paintings with the exact street view location :)
Bill..
Are you going to post the broadcast or interview???
That is such an amazing thing!! CONGRATS to you!!
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