Art as a Diary

There's always something a little terrifying about painting a self portrait. And I don't just mean the naked ones. My naked face is much more telling...grey hair and laugh lines hint at a life filled with joy. But there are also the bags under my eyes that betray sadness and anxiety; heavy lidded eyes that can't sleep. For a full life does indeed have all of these moments and they are written on my skin.

 

2" x 2" ink on wooden block

 

 

I paint self portraits for many reasons. The most obvious one is that I always have a model available. But I also believe self portraits are very real self reflections. Over the years I have painted over a dozen self portraits. Put together in my journal they tell my story: I love my kids, being a mom is awesome, being a mom is hard work, sometimes I'm sad, I have a chubby butt, and I often need a hug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed a month of emotional self portraits and I also hope that it inspires you to try some of your own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Be Soft

Be Soft

8" x 8" acrylic, ink and pencil crayon

Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.

- Kurt Vonnegut

Wordless Wednesday

After The Storm

 

"After The Storm"

8" x 8" pencil crayon, acrylic wash and ink

 

 

And there will come a time,
you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart,
but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see
what you find there,
With grace in your heart
and flowers in your hair.

                                             M&S

February: A Month of Emotional Self Portraits

 

 

I took a deep breath and

listened to the old brag

of my heart.

I am.

I am.

I am.

 

Sylvia Plath