5x7 CHALLENGE : : WEEK #3

This mixed media 5x7 canvas is painted with acrylic paint, ink and oil paintstiks.  It is embellished with glaze, stenciling and glitter.  It has paper and fabric collage pieces and the 1 1/2" deep sides are also painted and stenciled.

"I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best"

Working in my journal with Inktense pencils, acrylics and graphite pencil.  

Kelly Berkey has written some things on her blog that I resonate with me.  It may explain why I have been doing these portrait practices in my journal.  I sit in front of a little mirror to use myself as a guide.  I do not consider them truly self-portraits (although, there is a school of thought that every work an artist creates is, to some degree, a self-portrait).  It helps me with placements of facial features. I guess I have to admit, there is something of me in each one.   This quote from Frida Kahlo kinda explains it all: "I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best".

Stretching to Sketch-WEEK #3

I decided to participate in Kelly Berkey's "Stretching to Sketch" challenge.  We start out viewing a photo that she has taken of herself or one that her husband has taken of her.  The idea is to stretch, draw and paint the human form.  Kelly mentions: "I was always the photographer NEVER the subject".  Boy, does that feel familiar.  This is my response to Week #3.  I started out on a 4x6 card with the image that was painted using acrylics.  I painted and stamped a page in my journal then pasted the card onto that page.  Also used inks, pencil and a little bit of pastels.  According to the rules, there are no rules.  You can do whatever inspires you, which could be charcoal, pencil, sculpture, wire-work, watercolor, mixed media...  You can check out the other entries here.  Come over and join in on the fun if you are so moved.

Pink Haze

from my sketchbook

 

Blue Haze

From my sketchbook

What I Always Wanted To Do

I signed up in December for Misty's online class-Drawing and Painting Portraits.  This is my first drawing in the class.  The image is a picture from a magazine.  Having admired her work for awhile, I'm excited to learn from Misty.  Not having much money and time these days, for me, taking online classes is a great way to learn something new.