Sunday, June 1, 2008

continuing in Mary's mole...

I just got back from Florida... I'm continuing with the theme of gentler renderings in Mary's mole... she also suggested that anyone who felt compelled could try a self portrait, so I did.

I've been having a really hard time personally lately (difficult trip), and I found that doing a self portrait really alleviated some of the pain. Amazing. I've only done one other in my life... I think I will keep in mind that they seem to be good for my brain.

self portrait Bips
page from trade moleskine

6 comments:

Ian russell said...

Excellent portrait, Jess.

Out of interest, did you find after a while you're not so aware it's you you were drawing? I find that but maybe it's just me being odd. it's actually good therapy, I think, because when people generally look in the mirror they don't consider their whole face, the relationship of the various bits, but focus in on just one bit - the bit they probably like least!

steve said...

Wow Jess, these are all wonderful. I'm glad you could find some solace in your art and i certainly hope you feel better soon.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

WOW! These are wonderful. I feel deeply honored and thank you. :-D

I'm so pleased that you did a self-portrait and even more pleased that it made you feel better, even if only briefly!!! Hope you do continue to find solace and joy in your wonderful work.

I love kitties and wings! :-D YAY!

Very sweetly done.

Andrea said...

These are very delicate and beautiful, nice job on the wings!

Jess said...

Thanks guys!!

Hey Ian, i think you may have hit on something...

I never thought about it, but the way I look at my face in the mirror when I'm all into a self-critical mood is way different than the way I look at something I'm trying to draw from life (you know, getting the whole thing, considering spatial relationships, etc).

I wonder if doing self-portraits from life could reprogram your brain somehow... that would be quite useful.

I think another couple types of self-portraits that would be interesting to do are these... to use a mirror, but draw a sort of fantasy portrait, morphing your features into how you WISH you looked... and also a caricature version that distorts real features to represent how you perceive yourself on days when you feel bad about yourself.

Would make an interesting triptych... :D

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

What a great idea! Cool! :-D

I'd love to see some efforts in that direction!