Red and Pink Don't Go Together

"Self-Portrait - Age 8-9"

Acrylic on Paper, 16x24," c. Catherine Vines

   

Though not much of it shows in this painting, I am wearing my favorite pink dress.  A favorite especially since, as a redhead, I was not normally allowed to wear pink. I even remember the design on the dress!

Maybe I should have just painted it.

I still love to wear pink - and - horrror of horrors - even red.  Of course my hair has considerably faded.

Using Unusual Colors for Portraits

"Sheila"

Acrylic on Paper, 16x20," c. Catherine Vines

Experimental coloring, what else can I say?

To use so much pink and rose, the cool shadows give the face a harsh look not at all in keeping with my daughter's visage.

Still, the subject is a great one: and playing is always fun.

From Bold to Fierce

"Self-Portrait from Side"

Acrylic on Paper, 16x24," c. Catherine Vines

   

Okay. Maybe this one is a little weird.

And check out that ear. It's got me thinking I could spend some time just painting ears. Now I can see that in addition to its rather overwhelming presence, the ear fails to lie flat against the head. (I promise you, mine does.)

I'm also thinking I may have ventured from Bold to Fierce!

Bald is Beautiful!

"Self-Portrait w/ Sunglasses"

Acrylic on Paper, 16x24," c. Catherine Vines

   

I did say there were other self-portraits where I am bald!

Obviously something was going on.

But in the end, it's all about painting. That having been said, I still have my doubts about making a switch from acrylics to oil paints.

Happy Mother's Day everyone. I hope you can share it with your loved ones.

How's This for a Background?

"Self-Portrait w/ Sunglass"

Acrylic on paper, 16x24," c. Catherine Vines

   

I have a whole series of self-portraits (at least three or four) where I am bald.

Years of therapy will probably answer this. (I think it might have to do with vulnerability?)

Just in case you are creeped out, I am working on a more conventional portrait I hope to have finished for tomorrow's posting.

I do like the division of space in this one. And it is Bold.

   

I Had No Nostrils...

"Self-Portrait w/ Glasses"

Oil on Canvas, 8x10," c. Catherine Vines

"Self-Portrait w/ Glasses"
Oil on Canvas, 8x10," c. Catherine Vines
  

... When I got ready to post this morning!

So this ala prima attempt actually took three passes.

And it has not escaped my attention that my glasses do not actually sit on my nose. What about that nose anyway? Doesn't it have a distinct slant to the right? 

This business of being bold is not easy.
As Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day." Maybe she should be saying, "Practice, practice, practice."

Confidence is a Slippery Slope

"Self-Portrait: In Progress"

Oil on Canvas, 8 x 10," c. Catherine Vines

   

Yesterday I was riding high. Full of myself, you could say. Nothing like a good day of painting to do that for me.

Then I showed my self-portrait to my neighbor, who thought I didn't put enough work into it.

Boom.

I think I am so beyond that kind of vulnerability. Hah!

Today I can't paint a nose to save myself.  Hence, the "in progress" tag.

As Scarlet O'Hara says, "Tomorrow is another day." Even better, "I will return!"

I Have to Ask...

"Self-Portrait, 5/11"

Oil on Canvas, 9 x 8," c. Catherine Vines

   

... Why am I painting plums when I love painting faces so much?

Faces are endlessly fascinating to me: how we can all have the same basic features and yet be so different.

Although this is from a photograph taken yesterday for the Daily Paintworks Challenge, I seem to have painted a younger, more hopeful version of myself. I can only conclude this is a true reflection of my inner self!

My new motto: "Less Fruit! More Faces!"