OPERATION: SELF-PORTRAIT: LITTLE.

This is part of a larger mixed-media piece I did awhile back, and it's one of my favorite drawings that I have done of myself. Big eyes, red hair, looking at the photographer with the excitement most small girls have, feeling noticed and loved. Happy Friday, world.

OPERATION SELF-PORTRAIT: PAINTED FACES

I did this painting a few months back. I can't remember if I was working off of an image or if it was something that popped into my head. If it was an image, it wasn't a picture of me; however, I still feel like this is a self-portrait. Probably because of the hair, but mostly because of the feeling. Thick paint strokes mixed with sketching lines.

 I've drifted away from oil painting the past few months, deciding to focus on colored pencils; however, I still feel that oil has a richness that can't be tamed. Even now, I often become more enchanted by brush strokes than the actual painting. I had been painting for a few months when I went to the Frist Center of Visual Arts in Nashville and discovered this new way of viewing paintings. It was probably the first museum I had visited that had large oil paintings exhibited, and what most amazed me was being able to get so close to the paintings and see the brush strokes an artist used. In my mind, it felt like seeing them lay down the image - to see the artist create. 

OPERATION SELF PORTRAIT: FIRST ATTEMPT

Here's the thing: I like to paint people. I like to paint hands. I like how minutia can be emotional, so I like to zoom in closely towards a subject and paint them. My husband kindly tells me that his favorite paintings of mine are those that have people in them. And to be honest, those are some of my favorite paintings, too.

And here's the other thing: I'm not that satisfied with my technical skills when it comes to portraiture. While my past paintings of women and hands are successfully executed and emotional charged paintings, I will admit that I need to improve. It's hard to post this, for some reason. Maybe because it feels like I'm denying my capabilities while, at the same time, being an artist means being confident in my work. 

But like using new materials, taking on challenging subjects,  or playing with new color palettes...taking the opportunity to improve the rusty bits can only work for the greater good.

The greater good? Your work. My work.

Also, while I'm not really into painting traditional portraits, I know that my ability to see a subject clearly directly affects the success of a painting.

I've borrowed this book and workbook from my sister-in-law called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence," and I would like to share my journey with you as I delve into Betty Edwards' advice and teachings. 

Here we have Self-Portrait #1. I drew this in front of my web-cam, which I would not recommend to other artists. It blurred out detail, which is a very important component when doing portraiture. You need to be able to see. I need to be able to see.

I also need to stop being lazy and sit in front of the bathroom mirror, instead. Lesson one learned.