Shine

 At the current time, I have been working on a watercolor for a 'challenge' in a group I belong to ~

 Ali Gator Watercolor Community with Ali Cavanaugh on Patreon.

The challenge this time was paint a 'self-reflection' - self portrait 

in a reflective surface.  The example given was this M.C. Escher painting.

 I could have used a shiny cooking pot or a shiny hubcap 

or a window with sunlight

to REFLECT my image into, however, I have always wanted a 

'Gazing Globe Mirror Ball'! 

And what a perfect time to bite the bullet and GET ONE.

Amazon had LOTS of them. I chose a 'not so expensive' 7" silver one.

Couldn't quite figure out how to take a photo of my reflection without

the iPhone camera showing - after many attempts and use of camera space

I came up with one I could paint from. I like the up-front image with my 

iPhone and it's eggplant colored Otter Box right there.  These days -

it's totally a fixture of my persona. I take photos of just about everything. 

Maybe you do, too?

I have over 10K photos on my device I probably

 should deal with....someday soon.

"Shine"

12" x 16"

watercolor on Arches cold press paper

That mirror ball will be a new addition to my garden this SPRING and summer.

I will have to invent a way to keep it from 'blowing away'.😆

Self Portrait in Watercolor

"Self-Portrait with Camera Remote"

6" x 6" watercolor on Aquabord

Yesterday I hit the 'painting learning curve' with big leaps and bounds.  I imagine I have attempted about 10 - 12 self-portraits in my painting career...never, never made it to the 'oh that's me!' stage.  But this one made it.  I painted it from a very favorite photo session, I had with myself, in which I had to use the remote device to snap the shutters..it was experimental, at best.  But this one photo came out that depicts me, my 'most of the time' facial expression (I don't smile very much) and it makes me feel at peace, because it was at a peaceful time in my life (not that my life isn't always peaceful, but you understand, that time when you are at ease with the world.)  More to come..I have my MOJO working for now.

BTW - this learning curve is happening thanks to watercolor artist extraordinaire, Ali Cavanaugh. 
I joined her Patreon group.  I watch her videos, listen to her expertise and get
influence through osmosis with a group of like artists on a
Discord thread.  This is the way I have been learning for
many years.  Online learning is the best...you can do as much or as little as
you want or need...and it is always at your fingertips.

Box of WIPes

"Self Portrait"

watercolor and pastel

on Arches watercolor paper

This one got wiped and wiped before I was satisfied.

Finally got the eyes right and worked some more 

on everything...could keep going..maybe I will.

Always fun to do YOUR younger self, even with

new hairgrowth and 'extensions' (those were

not around in my day - ha ha)

Anyway, onward.

A Self-Portrait in Oil Paint

"Wisteria"

10" x 20"

oil on wrapped canvas

NFS

Wisteria is a symbol for longevity, among other things. 

I chose a photo that my

brother took of me - a very, very long time ago - to work from.

I have embellished some to make it more 'narrative'.

For now, I am calling this done, but as in the past,

I have realized the longer I look at it,

the more I am liable to make a few tweaks.

Self Portrait

"Self Portrait"

12" x 16"

pastel on velour paper

Karen Hargett completed a recent self-portrait on her blog, that she did as participation in an art challenge found here.  It is called "Following the Masters" by Michelle Burnett. (She posts the submissions when she gets to it, so check back to see if mine was added later.)

I decided I was ready for this challenge.  I have done MANY self portraits lately - lacking correct likeness, but this one is THE ONE of TWO that really DO look like me - the other one being one I did in college many years ago.  The rimless eyeglasses were interesting, as they created some highlights on the skin from the lenses.  I did some weight loss tricks...I could stand to lose a few.  Wish it was that easy.

Now I see what I CAN look like - if (and when) I do. That's called "artistic license", right?  HA! 

Ooops, I see a little piece under the nose, that didn't get worked.  Will post the correction later.

Looking Back at Yourself

This self portrait is done in the only ink I could get to come out of the bottle, it is "peat brown" by Winsor Newton. I don't do much pen and ink, several bottles have dried up, but I have had this photo of myself hanging around the studio for some time and today was the day I was inspired to give it a try. It is a black and white photo my brother, a photographer, took. I have always liked it and always thought I would DO my self portrait from it. And today, that is what happened, even though the ink had "greeblies" in it.

I would like to try more self portraits. As I grow older, I really appreciate how I used to look, LOL!!! I am certainly older and wiser...and better! If you have done a self portrait, you know what I'm talking about!

The most frustrating part of the day was that I went to town, first to get a printer color ink cartridge, unable to find one at the only two places that would have them...Duckwall's and Computer Solutions. And then...no black ink (as in "artist" ink) at Duckwall's. The good thing is, there is a new ALCO store (yippee) opening at the end of February. We will all think we have died and gone to heaven!! And they better carry color ink cartridges for MY printer and "artist" ink for my art!!! I don't want too much.

Oh ya, don't forget to feed the fish.