Monday, May 21, 2007

Brave Self Portrait



This is me, more or less. I painted a watercolor of myself a year ago for an online challenge (see the Watercolor Passion link). I took my little digital camera out by the lilacs, held it up, and took my own picture. I was peering over my dorky plastic reading glasses, because I thought that was how all my former students thought of me, and frankly I have them on more of the time than not. Then I went up to my little studio, sketched me, and did my utmost to make it look like me. It does, but more in attitude than actual fact. I entered the painting in a Wisconsin Regional Artists show last summer, and the judge called it "brave," which I took to mean unflattering. Then he went on to also say it was "unsuccessful." Ouch! OK, he did speak English as a second language and perhaps didn't have a kinder word than "unsuccessful" in his vocabulary, but I can't let that ruin a painting I worked hard on and spent a bundle to frame. There is an exhibet of self-portraits coming up in Monroe this summer; I think I'll enter it there. I also use it as my avatar on Shelfari, so it has become my online self.

4 comments:

JoAnn said...

Sherry, you are sooo good. How dare that man imply otherwise? He must be blind!

On the other hand, I tried *doing* a tree in watercolor last night and it looked like a piece of broccoli! I am hopeless.

Love the sandals too.

JOANN

JoAnn said...

By the way, every time I want to post here, I have to re-register. My registration just does not "hold", it seems. GRRRRR


J

Jana Bouc said...

I'm glad you didn't let the judge deter you. I think it's a very successful portrait and the composition is terrific, as are the colors and the likeness. What's his problem, anyway!

Felicity Grace said...

Welcome to EDM! You have a super blog (and a gorgeous cat!) and your self portrait is wonderful! Looking forward to seeing more!