From the Artist: This is a small oval self-portrait from when I was doing a metal sculpture in my back yard shop. When I get started welding or painting I can stand out in the Florida sun for hours which I did this time. Welding and painting. Plein air for both techniques.
This one was even weirder than normal because I was working with a shinny piece of stainless steel in the sculpture and saw my wild-looking reflection. I brought out my vanity mirror -- one must always keep one of those around... kidding, really it was my motor scooter mirror and did a quick half-hour oil sketch. It was fun and I think I captured the moment -- heat, sweat, and inspiration.
From the Painting Guide: Before I read your statement, I was wondering about the John Lennon-ish glasses (which I now know are welding goggles)! I like the way you've painted your hair, with the streaks of green. It's all too easy to make hair seem flat, but this has got a real sense of bounciness with a touch of weirdness which fits with the glasses.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Canvas Shape: I have to confess, with the exception is locket-sized paintings, I don't like oval-shaped canvases as I find the shape distracts me from the actual painting. I've been staring at your painting, thinking along the lines of oval surely being a good shape for a portrait, given the shape of a human head. But I'm still unconvinced; I find myself missing the extra background a square or rectangular canvas gives as well as focusing overly on the shape of the canvas and the echo of this in the circles of the goggles.
This one was even weirder than normal because I was working with a shinny piece of stainless steel in the sculpture and saw my wild-looking reflection. I brought out my vanity mirror -- one must always keep one of those around... kidding, really it was my motor scooter mirror and did a quick half-hour oil sketch. It was fun and I think I captured the moment -- heat, sweat, and inspiration.
From the Painting Guide: Before I read your statement, I was wondering about the John Lennon-ish glasses (which I now know are welding goggles)! I like the way you've painted your hair, with the streaks of green. It's all too easy to make hair seem flat, but this has got a real sense of bounciness with a touch of weirdness which fits with the glasses.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Canvas Shape: I have to confess, with the exception is locket-sized paintings, I don't like oval-shaped canvases as I find the shape distracts me from the actual painting. I've been staring at your painting, thinking along the lines of oval surely being a good shape for a portrait, given the shape of a human head. But I'm still unconvinced; I find myself missing the extra background a square or rectangular canvas gives as well as focusing overly on the shape of the canvas and the echo of this in the circles of the goggles.