The Holly Springs art exhibit was taken down on Monday and I returned my favorite drawing to its owner--a neighbor who has bought three of my works. Nose to the Lens, white conte on black paper, is sort of a self-portrait; I would not do this to anyone else. I set the camera on the kitchen windowsill, leaned on the counter (my favorite bird-watching stance) and put my nose to the lens--in the sunlight! Every wrinkle is high-lighted and I added some for good measure; the eyes are not quite aligned as they watch, the nose bulbous, the eyebrows extra-long, the hair fly-away. I took many liberties and totally enjoyed doing this.
I also made a discovery. As I looked over my glasses at one of the stray strands of my colorless hair (used to be a redhead) I realized that, in sunlight, each strand contains the whole spectrum. The colors run across the hair--not up and down the strand! Amazing! Why didn't I know that? What happens to all the things I've learned when I die? Is there a giant data base someplace? What other amazing things are right under our noses--if we just take the time to look?
(Why has no one commissioned me to do their portrait?)
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It's great to know someone else who never outgrew the wonder of it all. Seeing, learning, and questioning all keep us young at heart.
ReplyDeleteI love this drawing. I think it is my favorite of your work I've seen so far.
-Don
Thanks, Don. My mother said I was born a 50-year-old. As I've gotten older, I try to worry less and enjoy more.
ReplyDeleteHey Ms.Farber, Love your blog and absolutely love your self portrait! I'm following u now
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue. I've been reading your blog-- Diary of a Madd Weekly Painter--for a while. I like the way you play with acrylics, and I'm contemplating making a "thought screen helmet" (I probably should have done it before the abduction).
ReplyDeleteGreat portrait. I love your unflinching honesty. So much character. Maybe most portrait sitters aren't prepared to be painted honestly-- I know I'm not. Flatter me, make me look like a rock star, sure. But like myself??
ReplyDeleteI've noticed on my black and white cat that the black hairs sometimes reflect the rainbow, too-- and just the way you describe, across the hair.
Hi R Garriott. I flinched when I saw this, but--matted and framed--I liked it. My husband asked why I would do such a thing. Friends (nice friends) say I don't look so old--maybe I saw slightly into the future. If I painted someone else, I'd have to flatter; self-portraits allow much more freedom.
ReplyDeleteYour blogs--on both painting and photography--are informative. Thanks for the observation on cat hair.
Adorei seu trabalho,bastante significativo e expressivo.
ReplyDeleteabraço
MK
Muito obrigado. Eu usei IGoogle para traduzir.
ReplyDelete