Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Self Portrait Painting

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

My friend Rodney is not the first person to ask me why I have not painted my self-portrait before. I often get this question from my students or other beginning artists. And I always feel confused when I hear this. So many of my works have so much of myself in them, that the “self” part seems inevitable. (And John Borsheim often joked that my stone carving “Lips” was a self-portrait. She is a sculpture of a big mouth.)

But also, I have spent the majority of my waking life looking outwards, watching the world around me and processing what I see, that I often believe that who I am is what is inside my head. But of course, we are all more complicated than even that.

Allora, I started this self-portrait on Christmas Day. She is an oil painting and measures 35 x 25 cm (about 13.5 x 10 inches). I wanted to try to paint in a looser style than I normally do, getting less tight as the image moves away from the face. I hope you enjoy the look. And if you really like her, please enjoy free shipping worldwide from Italy.


I am sharing this artwork with you as part of my artist anniversary celebration this month. I am discovering how interesting portrait drawing can be and am offering to create a portrait for you of any loved one from your photos (or you can sit for me if you are in Florence, Italy).

Contact me for details (just respond to this blog or visit my site).

You may choose:
Half life-size or smaller in pencil: $300 per head/person
Life-size (approx.) in charcoal: $500 per head/person
Life-size oil painting – monochromatic (sepia): $700 per head/person
If you prefer color, a life-size pastel drawing: $600 per head/person, life-size
Plus, FREE SHIPPING from Florence, Italy.

Please let me know if this is a gift or if you are having another deadline (such as an anniversary party or wedding) so that I can make sure you receive your original art on time. And of course, if you were here in Florence, Italy, I would love to make a drawing of you from life.

Thank you for your continued interest and support. Happy Inauguration Day, America.

1 comment:

Jo Castillo said...

Kelly, Happy New Year! I'm slow, but I'm old. Anyhoo, this portrait is great. Self portraits always have such an intense look, from the concentration?? I suppose.

This is great. I like the colors you used and the brush strokes. You do nice work!

Bummer on the bicycle seat! Weird folks doing nice and not so nice things.

Ciao..