Saturday 19 December 2015

Self-portrait calendar

All these self-portraits were finally exhibited at The Bradshaw Arts Space at Dundee University.
The event went really well and feedback was excellent.

Here are the portraits in a monthly format.

2014
2014
2015















2015
2015
2015















2015
2015
2015














2015
2015
2015















Friday 6 November 2015

Self-portrait Exhibition

This project seems to go on and on, not that I'm complaining because I'm getting quite excited to see all my portraits together in one space. In fact, I'm a little frightened as well. This will certainly be an experience.

The poster:

There is also a lot of wordy bits to go with it.

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There were rules for this set of drawings: 1.        One a day.
2.        No longer than 30 mins for each one.
3.        Use whatever medium comes to hand quickly.
4.        Play.
 My decision to have them A4 was for ease of storage, but at initiation the sizes were more random. This exhibition is a very personal uncovering, as it were, of my many moods. The drawings began in November 2014, and by that time due to the lack of light, my mood had already dropped considerably. I usually feel this coming on in September and the low moods begin to lift around February. One of the ways I can describe the feelings are as if I’m trying to wade through treacle, everything is such an incredible effort that I’m exhausted. This in turn lowers self-esteem that contributes to lack of creativity. Trying to make any kind of decision is a joke and it is at these times discipline or ritual comes into its own. To concentrate on drawing as the beginning to a day enabled me to rid myself of a lot of my low thoughts. Yes, there were a few times that I was unable to accomplish the portrait for that day. Sometimes because of work commitments but also there were a few instances that I felt too low to draw at all, therefore, 3 or 4 were occasionally completed together. These were the best days. The intention behind these portraits is not to make a finished piece. They are play, exploration and ritual, initiating the focusing of the mind. Allowing me to be in the present moment where it is impossible to worry or be anxious. Abraham Maslow, the American psychologist had this to say, “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
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Saturday 31 October 2015

FINISHED!!... 365 self-portraits


 That's it. All portraits completed.
Boy was it ever difficult to start the last one, something I wasn't expected.
But anyway, here they are, the last three.


twentyninth
thirtieth
Thirtyfirst

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Monday 26 October 2015

Another 12 portraits

It's been an interesting time away in Orkney. Research trip was a success and I have now experienced the winds on the island... lovely people and amazing stones. More of that later.

sixteenth
seventeenth
eighteenth















ninteenth
twentieth
twentyfirst














twentysecond
twentythird
twentyfourth














twentyfifth
twentysixth














So....
Only 5 more portraits and a whole year of them is complete. I am a little nervous as to how I will feel at the completion of this milestone. A threshold crossed and new beginnings.

Thursday 15 October 2015

October - halfway

Now has come the time when I need to be producing a flyer/poster for my exhibition of my self-portraits... Have I started, no.
It definitely becomes more difficult when there is no-one to bounce ideas off. I will persevere though.
For now.... more portraits, taking us to halfway through October and two weeks left to go until the final. Not sure how that will feel, but I will let you know.

tenth
eleventh
twelfth














thirteenth
fourteenth
fifteenth

















Friday 2 October 2015

OCTOBER!!!

Here it is.. the last month in this year of self-portraits has begun.


first
second
third














fourth
fifth
sixth














seventh

eighth
ninth

30 days hath September

The last day of the penultimate month of a year's worth of self-portraits... proper countdown has begun.
thirtieth















Not quite sure how I was feeling today, scattered thoughts.

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Society of Scottish Artists

I've just uploaded 3 of my paintings for the SSA to peruse and decide whether they will be in the exhibition or not... here's hoping.
Anyway... here they are:

Watching
Passing Through
Indecision      














Twenty-ninth day of September

twentyninth















A quick sketch but the interesting thing about this piece is that I drew it with my new pen.
I made the pen after looking at a calligraphy book by Denise Lach. Apart from the calligraphy being totally inspiring it showed you how to make a 'cola pen'. (There are other soft drinks cans available)
It is very easy and the results are lovely for writing. The drawing side of it is just an experiment but I must say the different line thickness available is excellent.

Monday 28 September 2015

Nearly done with September

twentysixth

twentyseventh
twentyeighth














2 more portraits left of this lovely month.