I love looking at other people’s self-portraits, but putting my own up is a real test for me. It makes me feel really vulnerable, much more so than showing my paintings. I guess I am way more critical of my own face than of my own paintings – someday I’d like to get to that place of complete acceptance – especially without my glasses! Part of this is getting over the “what big eyes you have” complex that I developed as a child. In the meantime, I am splurging on new glasses – 2 new frames! Can’t wait.

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Self-Portrait Thursday
I love the colours I have on today, and how they all match! I used to be hard on myself for painting with so much colour; I even had that gremlin voice come back a bit today to tell me that I use too much. But mostly, I am pretty accepting that that’s who I am, that’s what I love, that is how I will paint! This is a truth in my life: Colour brings me joy.
Self-Portrait Thursday and Coincidences
Do you think coincidences are just coincidences? Or do you think there is something more going on there? Back in April, when my Mom was visiting, we went to the book store to waste time while waiting for my son to finish school. Mom and I started doing some collaborative drawing (which we do almost every time we see each other). A woman (who I had already noticed, perhaps because I recognized her from somewhere, or because of her beautiful grey hair) leaned over and asked if I had my art in the library a little while ago. Yes! That was me! I was flattered that she recognized me, seeing as there was no picture of me at the library during the mini-exhibition. She said she had seen my blog and admired my work. I found out her name, but didn’t have any business cards to give her, and that was the end of that. A really cool experience, but nothing too out of the ordinary.
Yesterday, as I was driving home, I saw the same woman running (I guess you don’t say “jogging” anymore, right?) up the street, 2 blocks from my house. I stopped and we chatted for a bit. It turns out that her brother has children who attend the same school as my kids and she lives a few blocks away from me! About 3 hours later, I saw her again at the natural food market!
So, just a coincidence? Or are we supposed to meet each other? I’m curious, and open to seeing what happens.
Self-Portrait Thursday and Support Handmade! : by elke
Here’s another of my purchases from the Firefly Market in Boulder, CO: leather cuffs by elke. Her booth was packed with people – she was definitely one of the more popular vendors! When I tried these 2 cuffs, I knew I had to wear them together – a wonderful rainbow! The next day I went back to the booth and elke told me I inspired her to wear them as a pair, too! These are called “Hombre Wrap Bracelets” and they have antique shirt studs.
I love this silver cuff. It goes with my hair, and makes me feel like Wonder Woman.
Self-Portrait Thursday!
Having fun painting! One of the guys working at the art store gave me a big lecture about using my hands to spread the paint on the canvas. Something about metals and health… blah, blah, blah…(kidding). I know he’s right so I bought myself a box of gloves. They are working well, even if they are a bit too big. It doesn’t make too much difference to the process, and my hands are clean at the end, which is a bit of a bonus.
In other taking-care-of-myself news, I am aiming to drink my full litre of water a day. But not just water, slightly (Celtic-sea-)salted water – in order to not be in the washroom every 10 minutes. I just learned this yesterday, and it seems to be working!
Self-Portrait Thursday
Self-portrait Thursday
Self-Portrait Thursday
It’s been awhile since I painted a self-portrait! I painted this one for the Self-Portrait Project, put on by the arthouse co-op. Everyone who signed up received a 4×4 mounted canvas; all the self-portraits will be displayed together on one wall, later this year. I would love to be able to see the wall of faces!
Guest Curator!
I’m so excited to be the Guest curator this week over at CRESCENDOh! Check back everyday this week for my favorite crafty blog posts on the internet! You can also read my Art Saves story here. Thanks for this opportunity, Jenny!