Truly You, Beautiful You

 

"Hymn To The Silence"

12" x 36"

$250

 

 

"It doesn’t make sense to call ourselves ugly, because we don’t really see ourselves. We don’t watch ourselves sleeping in bed, curled up and silent with chests rising and falling with our own rhythm. We don’t see ourselves reading a book, eyes fluttering and glowing. You don’t see yourself looking at someone with love and care inside your heart. There’s no mirror in your way when you’re laughing and smiling and happiness is leaking out of you. You would know exactly how bright and beautiful you are if you saw yourself in the moments where you are truly yourself."

 

(via dirtywings)

Courage

Every person in the world is more than meets the eye. It's what I loved about studying psychology; it's what I look forward to discovering in people.  Every week my boys' dance instructor stands in front of groups of children and teaches. Well, it's more than that really. She inspires; she radiates joy and love. Her enthusiasm lights up a room. She is also very shy. She struggles with the duality of an introvert wanting to perform. When I spend time with Niki, I'm reminded of the e.e. cummings quote

 "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are".

 

"Size: Courage"

24" x 48"

$1000

 

I got a little courageous myself when I was painting this portrait. Usually, I under paint my portraits blue. But Niki's color is purple! I struggled to begin this painting in purple. I was most of the way through before I could sigh with relief.

 

 

The purple under painting.

 

 

 

 

Wild Women

I paint naked women. My paintings are not nudes and they are not figure studies. They are the stories of wild women, as told through my paintbrush. Wild women are honest and courageous; they are self accepting; they know the value of themselves; they are not afraid of their vulnerability and they know they are enough. Nobody emboddies this message more than my dear friend Caroline. I am so honored to be painting her story entiltled "Size: Acceptance". The theme this month at Angela Menzies Art is Wild Women!

 

"Size: Acceptance"

30" x 30" acrylic on canvas

$950

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