Monday, February 6, 2012

I Yam What I Yam

4 X 4
oil on panel
Well it was bound to happen - last week was my turn to have my mug painted, an event I admit I was dreading because I just hate to have my photo taken.  I learned so many things while doing this one including:
     1. Mom was right.  Who hasn't been warned by their mothers not to make dorky faces because they'll stick.  Well I made a dorky face when my workshop classmate Maria was going around taking our mug shots and now it's potentially being painted by  the other 17 Hilton Head Gang members and might be posted on their blogs. For certain, all that are done will be on our new HHG blog, so check it out! 
     2.  I'm not a super model after all.
     3.  I currently approach art as a realist, and realism confronts truth in what we see, uncorrupted by personal bias. So I have to respect both the good and the bad, the holy and the profane, the beautiful and the dorky.
     4.  You don't have to be a realist to be realistic about your own self portrait.  Through history, artists have celebrated themselves in the most truthful ways.  Take for instance the 70 year old Alice Neel
sitting naked in her little striped chair, or  Van Gogh after he loped off part of his ear.
     5.  And finally, that we all see each other as we are, not in our self conscious moments with stomachs in, shoulders back, chin(s) up, and ready for our close ups.  So unflattering moments only surprise the subject, not everyone else who has to look at you.  In short, we are what we are and I yam what I yam.  


13 comments:

  1. Awesome self portrait, Terri! I love your post, too! True words, for sure.

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  2. Oh man... I love your painting... I love your post!! So true. I made a face too when they took my pic. That is still coming... just wait! That is a wonderful painting. Just love it.

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  3. I laughed so hard my husband asked me what I was reading! I love your mug and I love the face you made. it was so fun to paint! I am posting mine tonight. Never did I imagine when I took those pictures that we would be having so much fun!

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  4. Wow thanks Linda and Cathy! I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again, and again), I just love you guys!

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  5. Oh and Maria! That goes for all of you!
    Maria, I KNOW! I was thinking about that today! Who would have guessed that one week-long workshop would just continue to yield so much fun, development, net-working, support and FRIENDSHIP!

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  6. Terri, I have to admit when I opened the photo from Maria I did laugh out loud. I haven't started on your mug yet and I can't wait. You did a wonderful job and I love your post - true, true words. We sure are having fun with these mugs. Your self-portrait is outstanding!

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  7. Hilarious. Great sense of humor and a gifted painter, no wonder I like you.

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  8. Betsy, I must say when I opened it, I gasped out loud, then laughed. And thank you so much for your comment.
    And Jennifer - thank you, the feeling's mutual.

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  9. Wonderful painting and a most entertaining and inspiring post! My favorite thing about the painting is your beautiful eyes!

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  10. Terri,

    You are lovely and with a beautiful spirit! I wish I could have been at that workshop with all the HHG...sounds like lifelong friends.

    Love your painting style...a follower for sure.

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  11. I made a face too and now it's my turn. Great portrait, can't wait to get at my mugs. My mom told me the same thing about making scary faces!

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  12. Fay and Art World - such kind comments- thank you, I do appreciate it.
    Dawn - you only made a little face, you're still a beauty!

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  13. Wonderful expression. I really like the way you zoomed in and cropped it. Very effective!
    Happy Painting,
    Nora

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