I started this piece several years ago. Its a 22" x 30" drawing in graphite on illustration board. The subject is a symbolic self portrait, inspired from a class with Armin Mersmann. I began with some elements then was stuck and still am to a large degree. The foreground defeats me and though I've fiddled with it over the last day or so, just what to add still evades me. The size of the piece and the medium can be daunting too, as graphite is not a quick technique to work with.
Created a symbolic self portrait is not a simple task, at least to me. It involves a lot of self analysis, some of which isn't always a good thing, to make a decision of what elements in the world make up your own personality. The viewer can see a variety of objects, some of which may be clear, some not as to why it could represent a person. That is part of the appeal, to let the viewer create their own story around the images.
This piece may well be on and off the shelf for another few years before it is complete. There's something comforting to know that part of me sits there, waiting.
7 comments:
I like the latest posts. Do you always post in 3s or am I always behind?
A symbolic self-portrait is an interesting idea. From the photo of you, I think the regular multi-media portrait is very successful.
Thanks Skizo.
I think its just luck of the draw Sue. :) Yes, the multimedia piece seemed to work out best from my fiddling.
I remember this, its looking good :)
i think that there are some pieces of art that an artist does, that are never done, that they keep adding to them until they die.
I can appreciate your dilemma here Jeanette. However, it is a stunning work - very sculptural and beautifully drawn. Perhaps you could trace it, and then explore the blank areas on a separate piece of paper...
I think this may well be one of those pieces Jennifer. I think that because it is personal and that I continue to evolve as an individual, I can never quite decide what to put down that will sum me up.
Hedera, thank you. Yes, I was lying in bed last night working out ideas in my head and on scrap paper. I will play around with a piece of tracing paper and see if any ideas translate before I put them in place.
It really is useful to work out ideas that way and prevents lots of heartache if they don't work out!
Finished or not this is a remarkable piece of work in itself. The two fish so beautiful. There is much our subconscious can tell us through art. Don't give up on this ~
Thank you April. The process of creating it and letting pieces of the world represent elements of yourself is quite interesting and really makes me consider carefully. Its truly an exercise is self discovery.
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