WINDOW WOMAN, OIL ON CANVAS, 48 in x 48 in, 2022

In this artwork, ‘Window Woman’, I endeavor to demonstrate how the use of digital technology invades the privacy of the woman being portrayed. My artistic approach involves narrative painting in a more realist style. Using contemporary technological depictions in my paintings, such as glitches, pixelation, and linear sections of color, I introduce the concept of being viewed through the digital lens. As an artist, I aim to capture an essence of humanity and this particular pose evokes strength, beauty and confidence. The woman's expressive gesture is captivating. She is framed through a window adorned with elaborate curtains, placing her in a performance-like setting as she is watched from a distance. She sits gracefully, with her hand supporting her chin, exuding calm awareness even as her privacy is violated. The viewer is drawn in by her intense gaze, which is fixed in the direction of the digital camera.

THE BATH WEBCAM , OIL ON CANVAS, 24 X 48, 2022

The inspiration for my painting, ‘The Bath Webcam’, arises from my research on the prevalence of hidden webcams in rental accommodations. The alarming instances of privacy violations, both past and present, deeply concern me. In this composition, the central figure exudes a composed demeanor while awaiting the gradual filling of her bathtub with water. She finds solace in savoring a warm cup of coffee, her countenance reflecting deep contemplation. While she waits, we can see the water pouring into the tub. A round mirror positioned behind her, creates an interesting visual contrast against the linear pattern on the wall. At the base of the woman's feet rests a vase adorned with serene white roses, contributing to the overall environment of restfulness. The ambiance exudes a soothing aura, evoking memories of a tranquil retreat. In all appearances, she does not seem worried about her privacy. I incorporated disturbances into this tranquil scene, materializing as glitches that traverse the canvas from left to right. . These visual irregularities, in conjunction with pixelation, serve as a symbolic portrayal of technological malfunctions. I wanted this artwork to reflect an intimate moment that someone has jeopardized. The perception of tranquillity and comfort is one that I believe we can each identify with.

HANDHELD WEBCAM CAFE ​

​OIL ON CANVAS, 2o x 20, 2021

Privacy in public spaces is a frequent topic of discussion in our technologically advanced society. In this regard, I have created “Handheld Webcam Café”, a visual representation of a privacy violation. In my artwork, I wanted to capture a moment where someone is being secretly filmed using a handheld device. The scene takes place in a cozy café, and the person in focus is casually enjoying a sandwich. For many Americans, this setting represents a calm haven where they can unwind and enjoy their personal space. To emphasize the connection to technology, I opted for a color scheme dominated by various shades of blue. We often associate blue with tech gadgets, like the blue light emitted by computer screens. I also incorporated glitches and pixelation into my piece, as they symbolize the visual disruptions commonly encountered while using digital devices. The artwork I have created exemplifies the effortless manner in which individuals may inadvertently capture personal instances within the confines of public spaces. Through this visual interpretation, I aim to bring attention to the profound influence of technology on contemporary life, with a specific emphasis on the gradual erosion of privacy in public areas.

I HACKED INTO YOUR WEBCAM 
18 X 24, oil on canvas 2015

In our interconnected world, the potential for hacking is a genuine threat. Deceptive emails or links that appear genuine can expose your system to a Trojan virus. Unsuspecting users are likely to click on these seemingly legitimate sources and the Remote Access Trojan will be downloaded to their devices. As a result, their camera can become infected and overtaken. "I Hacked Into Your Webcam" is an oil painting that portrays the concerning issue of privacy violations in the digital era. The artwork illustrates a man, who sits alone at a table and is quietly reading, yet he is oblivious to the fact that he is being spied on through his computer webcam, which is positioned directly in front of him. The man's composure signifies his conviction that he is safe within the confines of his home, however, this privacy is hnothing but a facade as his webcam has been hacked. I employed various shades of blue in the painting to establish a chilling atmosphere. Furthermore, computers emit a bluish light, which influenced my decision to use a blue palette. The presence of glitches and pixelation symbolizes the data errors attributed to technology.

Bulk SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM NAMED OPTIC NERVE

Edward Snowden revealed an NSA program called Optic Nerve. The operation was a bulk surveillance program under which they captured webcam images every five minutes from Yahoo users’ video chats and then sTORING them for future use. It is estimated that between 3% and 11% of the images captured contained “undesirable nudity”.
​https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/06/phone-camera-microphone-spying

​SCHOOL MONITORED STUDENTS AT HOME 

dubbed the "WebcamGate" scandal, the schools secretly spied on the students while they were in the privacy of their homes.[4][5] School authorities surreptitiously and remotely activated webcams embedded in school-issued laptops the students were using at home.[6][7] After the suit was brought, the school district, of which the two high schools are part, revealed that it had secretly taken more than 66,000 images.[8][9] The suit charged that in doing so the district infringed on its students' privacy rights.[6][10][11] A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction, ordering the school district to stop its secret webcam monitoring, and ordered the district to pay the plaintiffs' attorney fees.[12][13][14] “
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbins_v._Lower_Merion_School_District

​https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-school-spy-on-kid-at-home-via-webcam/

SCHOOL SPYING ON STUDENTS 

“The lawsuit was filed after 15-year-old high school sophomore (second year student) Blake Robbins was disciplined at school for this behavior in his home.[6][14] The school based its decision to discipline Robbins on a photograph that had been secretly taken of him in his bedroom, via the webcam in his school-issued laptop.”  

Without telling its students, the schools remotely accessed their school-issued laptops to secretly take pictures of students in their own homes, their chat logs, and records of the websites they visited.

The school then transmitted the images to servers at the school, where school authorities reviewed them and shared the snapshots with others.[15]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbins_v._Lower_Merion_School_District

In this painting titled “Smile, Restaurant Cam,” I aimed to capture the intersection between technology and privacy in the context of dining out. The male figure sits in a cozy booth in a restaurant and is paying for his bill. The warm color palette of browns and blues creates a familiar yet inviting ambiance. The warm tones of browns and blues dominate the color scheme, creating a familiar yet inviting ambience. The use of brown tones creates a sense of comfort and evokes the warmth of the wooden surroundings of the restaurant. A checkered tablecloth adorns the table in front of the figure, adding a touch of nostalgia and character to the scene. Unbeknownst to the individual at the booth, a discreetly positioned surveillance camera is also capturing the customers. The painting serves as a reminder that our actions are continually being recorded in our modern world, even in seemingly private spaces. Pixelation and glitches are representative of the errors and flaws of technology inherent in the utilization of electronic devices. When dining out, most patrons have an expectation of privacy, feeling secure in the notion that their conversations and actions are not being watched or recorded. However, with the advancement of surveillance technology, this sense of privacy can be compromised.

SMILE, RESTAURANT CAM 
oil on canvas, 20 X 24, 2016

HIDDEN ATM CAM 
​20 X 24, oil on canvas, 2016

Hidden ATM Cam, 20 X 24, oil on canvas, By Arlene Buster

WEBCAM STILL LIFE 
​20 X 20, oil on canvas, 2011

Webcam Still Life, oil on canvas, 20 X 20, By Arlene Buster