Self-Portrait #349

I don't feel like I've been challenging myself creatively these days. I think this self-portrait is evidence of that. I need to get into the habit of looking at art more. I need to spend more time flushing out all of the ideas that float around in my head that are never fully realized. Maybe that will be the focus of my next challenge after this self-portrait thing is done. I need to be looking more. I also need to get back into my crafty craftyness.

Self-Portrait #289

I don't think I look like this.

Self-Portrait #262

Self-Portrait #260

I accidentally gave myself two black eyes in this portrait. I went stupid while drawing. I can't believe this is #300. I didn't really think that I would make it this far. On one hand I'm really tired of taking pictures of myself and on the other hand I realize that I'll probably have some strange withdrawal from this project. I do wish that I had done more drawings so maybe for the next 65 I'll try to focus on that. I'm sort of having a self loathing phase with my art. I just don't feel like I'm as good as I used to be or as good as I could be but I guess I'm the only person who can do something about that. I think the winter blues are hitting me today. I really don't like the cold some days. I think this may be a long winter.

UPDATE: 300 does not follow 259. WOW. I actually have 100+ portraits left. UGH!

Self-Portrait #233

Self-Portrait #202

Leno chin.

Self-Portrait #187

Today was unremarkable.

I like this song. I've never hear this version of it before tonight.

Self-Portrait #184

It's funny how different each drawing can look. I may never figure out what I look like.

Self-Portrait #169

Today was been a perfect day so far. The weather is perfect, our windows are open, and I got the chance to sit outside and draw this little drawing until the mosquitoes started eating me alive. We almost went to see a movie earlier but once we got outside we realized that would be a waste of a day like this.

Self-Portrait #165

Only 200 more portraits to go. This image came to mind the other night when I was trying to fall asleep. I like the idea of making paintings where you can't really see what else is going on outside of the picture frame so the viewers mind has to imagine the rest of the story and image. It was sparked by running out of room for the balloon in self-portrait #157. I'm feeling a new series coming on.

I've recently added a label cloud to my blog layout. I'd been admiring the cloud label that Floresita has so I did a little internet research and figured out how to add it. It was actually pretty easy once I found the right tutorial. I felt like such a wizard when it worked. I like visiting blogs that have things in categories so I can see all of one type of project. I hope my 9 blog readers enjoy this new feature.

Self-Portrait #157

I ran out of paper for the balloon in my mind. There are many, MANY days where I feel like I many never have another idea for a painting and then out of nowhere an image springs into my mind and I HAVE to draw it.

Dog Pavement

Self-Portrait #156. Some evenings are just perfect in my studio. Time seems too short on nights like these where I feel like I could stay in here forever. I just love listening to a good record and drawing or reading with no interruptions. Tonight's record is Dr. Dog's Easy Beat. I recently made my friend Erin a mixed CD and her grandma memory remembered Dr. Dog and Pavement as Dog Pavement which sounds like a good cover band name.

Self-Portrait #138

I found this determined little flower today on my walk growing out of a crack in the street pavement. I loved it.

Self-Portrait #134

New sketchbook!!!! It's been a while since I've gotten to start a new one of these. I almost forgot my tradition of making a little pocket in the front cover for this photo of my grandmother. I've been doing it for the last several years after coming across this picture of her standing on the Statue of Liberty. I remember her going to New York when I was in the 3rd of 4th grade. She is one of the first people who made me wonder about the world and I remember having this romantic notion that I would some day visit NYC and take a picture in this exact spot just like her. When I found this pic a few years ago I decided that I actually wanted to do that and I also loved this stoic photo of her. I am sad to say that I've now been to NYC nearly a dozen times and I've yet to get that picture taken but next time I will damn it. What is most striking about this picture is the World Trade Center in the background and how I never really will capture this photo exactly. Everything changes.
This is an odd looking self-portrait but something about it captures my mood this afternoon. I've been a little grouchy. I think I began to come down from my three day weekend high around three o'clock. I did finally get in the groove of cleaning my studio today. I've moved a few things around to give myself more room and I have a new scanner which I'm pretty excited about. I've yet to figure it out but I'm sure to do that this week.

Self-Portrait #129

Sketchbook drawing! I'm down to the last few pages in this book. I used to be obsessed with my sketchbook, constantly writing, gluing and sketching but time has gotten away from me. I'm hoping to use it a little more often. The writing sort of came to a halt when I started this blog thing even though I don't tend to get as personal here.
I went to my local art store to seek out the next perfect book. I was looking for something portable, cozy, and with the perfect paper. I worked for this very art store when I was in college. It was locally owned and seemed like you could time travel back 30 years and it would probably look exactly the same. Everything was hand priced with handmade signs etc. Now the art store has been bought by a chain and though it still looks the same in many ways there are bar codes, fancy cash registers, and printed signs. I don't feel as good about giving them my money. It made me sort of sad.


Well, I guess I didn't have that much trouble giving them my money since I bought three different sketch pads instead of just one. The thin one, I thought, would be good for carrying in my bag. The chunky one would be nice for cuddling up on the couch. The bristol pad is just my favorite sort of paper but in a bite size 6x6 square which I had never seen before. I think it was made just for me. OH and the eraser was just a necessity.

Self-Portrait #111

I tried to draw Ben but the van is so shaky it was difficult to get a
good likeness. We are on our way to Detroit for a Bad Veins show.
Yay Friday...the 13th.

Self-Portrait #67

Sketch book. Tired. Work. Need to pack for NYC. I'm going to slow
down soon and be a better blogger.

Self-Portrait #59

A few weeks ago I found out that a long time volunteer for Happen Inc. was diagnosed with cancer. She was like a mom to all of the staff when I worked there. I've thought about her from time to time these last few weeks thinking that I would make something for her and drop it off at her daughters house a few blocks away. There was always something keeping me from doing it and today I was filled with regret when I received the phone call she had passed away. Tonight I'm thinking about her kids and all of the people that will miss her.

Self-Portrait #26

I decided to do a left handed drawing and I have more control with my left hand then I thought. I did however give myself a man jaw and it doesn't really look like me at all. I only have 339 more times to get it right.

I went for a walk!!! It's getting warmer, things are growing, and I
can do one of my favorite warm weather activities...walk. On my walk today I noticed this friendly guy on my favorite walk route.

Self-Portrait #12

Quick sketch with pigtails...they didn't really translate well. Off to the first of many Bad Veins shows to come this week, and one more day of work to go...for a week at least.