Day 102

It all started in 1863 when Edouard Manet blasted the critics of his "Les dejeuner sur l'herbe" when he instructed them to look beyond what the painting looked like, and to focus on HOW he made it.

It continued through the mid-1900s when Abstract Expressionists and their contemporaries gave generic titles to their artworks in an attempt to force viewers to come up with their own interpretations rather than to rely solely on what the artist SAYS the piece is about.

And so it goes with today's self-portrait. I'll be honest and admit that the actual drawing took around a mere ten minutes to complete. But in this case, the IDEA is the most important thing. This drawing is meant to tell a story, to illicit an emotion or feeling from the viewer.

I won't tell you exactly what it means, but I think it's pretty clear that everyone has been in this situation at some time or another...

#102 January 30, 2011,  Pen

Sounds: Rick Springfield, Living in Oz

Day 101

I began today's self-portrait with an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. I've felt tired for the better part of the day, and I wasn't terribly motivated to make any kind of art this evening. As I sat in front of the mirror, I rested my chin on my hand and contemplated what tonight's drawing would look like - and then I realized that I was already looking right at it.

As the drawing rapidly took form, I was reminded of this sculpture by Marcel Duchamp:

Marcel Duchamp, "Marcel Duchamp Cast Alive"

Bronze, onyx, black Belgian marble

1967

Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri

I've always been drawn to this artwork, in part because I once made a bronze sculpture that (accidentally) bore a slight resemblance to it.  More importantly, I have always been interested in people and their personalities; Duchamp's sculpture is actually made from a cast of himself, so it is an exact lifesize reproduction of what the man looked like. Since I will obviously never get the opportunity to meet him in person, this sculpure is the next best thing.

It was purely a coincidence that my drawing resembled the Duchamp sculpture.  But I really like coincidences.  And as rapidly as my drawing was finished, it was almost as if I had an extra hand guiding mine tonight...

#101 January 29, 2011,  Ink

Sounds: Gin Blossoms, Congratulations I'm Sorry

Day 100

I decided to go back to the basics just a little for this drawing. Near the beginning of this project, I predicted that I would use Ebony pencil for the majority of the self-portraits. Little did I know that I would fall in love with using a pen and would spend a great deal of time with that medium.

The fact is, I still have a very strong interest in using the Ebony pencil. It always feels good to make a rich black mark, followed by a soft light tone - all with the same drawing tool! Incidentally, I always love revisiting the scribble technique as well...

By the way, it sure feels good to reach triple digits - Happy 100 Days!

#100 January 28, 2011,  Ebony pencil

Sounds: Emmylou Harris, At the Ryman

Day 99

This self-portrait started off with a lot of laughs.

I've been accused many times over the years of making myself laugh more than I do other people. Perhaps that's because I understand my humor better than anyone else! At any rate, I had the basic idea for this image running through my mind all day today, but when it came time to sit down and actually make the drawing, I was a little stumped as to what expression I would be making.

So I started making faces. Some were serious, some were solemn, some were plain, and some very just plain funny - I even caught myself laughing almost uncontrollably a couple of times! Oddly enough, I settled on this expression as I lowered my head slightly and let out a huge yawn; it all fell into place at that moment.

As always, there are many possible interpretations to what this image is about. I really like the idea of what it means to me, so much so that I will probably re-visit this theme in the future...

#99 January 27, 2011  Ink

Sounds: John Cowan, John Cowan

Day 98

A few days ago, a friend of mine told me about a dream that he'd had. In this dream, I apparently rode up on a customized motorcyle that was painted like a lobster. Obviously it was a bizarre dream! At any rate, once I heard his story, the idea for this self-portrait came to me almost immediately.

As I made this drawing, I had a few thoughts. First of all, it never ceases to amaze me how ideas for artworks can come about. I've gotten ideas from what seems like a million sources - and no, this is not the first time I've been inspired by someone else's dream. While it would've perhaps been more telling if it had been my own dream about a lobster motorcycle, it would be interesting to know where the concept for that imagery came from.

The Surrealists borrowed heavily from the human mind, basing much of their art on unconscious thought. They also found inspiration from dreams. One of my primary influences, Salvador Dali, even used a lobster in some of his bizarre sculptural work, including the lobster telephone and the lobster hat!

As I've said before, I think that a self-portrait can be many things. It's clear that this is not an example of realism for many reasons, but the quirky nature of the subject matter is a very accurate reflection of my personality. And the use of the lobster was a bit of a nod to one of my art heroes - albeit, unintentionally...

#98 January 26, 2011,  Ink and watercolor
Sounds: Marvelous 3, Hey! Album

Day 97

I had some fun today!

It was nice to finally do a self-portrait in oils, because that's really my primary medium under normal circumstances. But for various reasons (namely some little hands belonging to curious little people in my house), I made the choice to avoid using oil paint until I could work in the studio when my painting class resumed during the spring semester.

Time and time again, I have discovered the benefits of making art in the presence of my students. At the very least, it provides them with a real demonstration of one possible technique for making paintings. Furthermore, I think there's a lot to be said about the credibility of an art instructor that is actually making art! Granted, most college-level teachers are either required or strongly advised to make their own art, but there are always horror stories of teachers who can instruct, but cannot make their own work.

The panel is actually the remnants of an old sign. I think the effects are pretty great, and ultimately I might add more of a background to this painting. It was also challenging to paint over the slick paint of the lettering, as opposed to the rougher surface of the chipping white paint.

I should also point out the obvious: yes, I painted myself bald and beardless. In order to speed up the painting process, I used my artistic license to paint only the essentials!

#97 January 25, 2011,  Oil on wood panel

Day 96

Don't expect me to give you an interpretation; my viewers should know better than that by now. I'll explain this drawing with this alone: there are many possible interpretations to what this one is about. Just for myself, I have many personal "meanings" or interpretations that give reason to this self-portrait.

Search for it...and you might be correct.

#96 January 24, 2011,  Pen