Friday, December 11, 2009

Self Portrait




I stayed up late reworking this piece last night, have the onset of a cold and am not thinking properly. I thought this piece was done, then changed my mind three times. Skipped the bad roads and expenditure of life drawing this week and drew at home rather than clean house, exercise, or prepare for Christmas. (Also that vexing dog commission... which is likely my weekend time expenditure.) As was my previous oil pastel,"Ode to Rousseau" there are layers and layers of changes. I could actually make a whole new drawing by scratching into the piece. Critically, I changed things and really lost my self perspective or should I say the perspective. It used to have a nice ear rather than the pretzel it ended up with. Really, I don't walk around with pretzels in my ears. I shortened the face too much to be realistic. But I think I may have gotten some of my soul embedded in the layers.

8 comments:

Bob said...

I like it! It's always interesting when an artist turns their craft on themselves.

Keep up the good work and stay warm.

Bob

Laura said...

Agree with you there Bob, I can only say it wonderful to see you doing this and staying at home and being the artist that you are. I do understand the socializing is needed by all but it music to my ears to read that you are home safe and doing/creating you art and you did a SELFY too!!! seems to be thing going on... take care of your self and continue small steps on the project you are dicussing here? Vexing Dog??

butterfly woman said...

And isn't your heart and soul embedded in a creation what it's all about? They're shining through, I see them! To capture what is hidden beneath one's exterior is all that matters. It's how I feel anyway!
Did you look in a mirror and do this or is it from a photo?
Kudos!

Uta said...

Ooh Doris did a selfy. I didn't even notice any pretzel ear. I recognised you instantly. Like I said before I'm really liking this style that you have developing here Doris.

Elena said...

Looks great! I also didn't notice the ear. You can sense your inner strength in your 'selfy'. Congrats on a great piece. By the way, I'm cutting down that "limb" you're waivering on.

Suz said...

is it better if I say I think it is a good likeness of you?
you are a tough one

Doris said...

Thanks all! I'm not happy with the distortions, but it does resemble me.

april said...

I think it's great! A masterpiece! I think we should all give this a try. I am enjoying these self-portraits.