Thursday, February 28, 2013

Photo Heart Connection: Exploration of Self

I've always been intrigued by artists who express their inner selves through their artwork but it wasn't until I saw the series of self portraits in Seth Apter's book 'The Pulse of Mixed Media' that I felt a growing urge to dig deep and explore this idea through my own art.    
 
 
The piece below is something I've been working on for a while.  It's a torso made of plaster adhered to a wood panel.  When I first came to paint it I tried a lighter color palette (brown, beige and cream) but it didn't feel right.
 
 
After walking away and revisiting it I decided I had to repaint it black so that I could start over again (I always work from a black background as a white background creates a mental brick wall . . . I have to wonder if that will ever change).
 
 
While I loved the texture that the plaster created it felt a little bare so I decided to add some additional markings.  I inscribed the word 'self' to mark my journey while 'believe' was my chosen word for the year.

 
 
Fear was an important choice for all to often I find that fear is what holds me back and stops me from making choices and being able to move forward.
 
Linking up with Kat for this month's Photo Heart Connection
 
Other markings include a scar across the heart which depicts grieve and a ladder on the main section of the torso which indicates growth and possibilities.
 
 
After the neutral color experiment I went back to my dark autumnal palette but somehow that doesn't seem to be working for me either.
 
 
It looks like this weekend I'll be repainting it once again so that I can experiment with grey, silver and black tones.  I've learnt that if something doesn't feel right to keep repainting and working with it until it does because until you get 'that feeling' it's just not finished.
 
 

24 comments:

  1. it was really cool to see and read about your process. i LOVE fear right at the throat...it does constrict, right?!

    so glad to have stopped by today..

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    1. Thanks Honey, right right. Fear does constrict. One of my favorite quotes is "face the fear and do it anyway" . . . need to try to do that more often. Always appreciate your comments and visits.

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    1. Thanks Nancy . . . hopefully I'll find a color palette that I like.

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  3. I like having a view in to your artistic and creative process with this very personal piece, watching the work unfold.

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  4. Oh so wonderful and fabulous, and I just wish that was MY torso (wink), and fear, oh how I really get tired of that fear. So glad you tried something different, it's awesome and .... I really like the colors, alot, but I know it really has to feel right to you! xo

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  5. I too was caught by that word "fear" at the throat. That's something I've struggled with all my life...that fear that closes my throat and keeps me from speaking my truth. A really interesting project and process!

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  6. I love that bronze color -- but Kim is right -- it has to be right for you to really have peace with one's creation, right? Fear is such a poignant word -- just the sight of it really does make us shiver! Been awhile since I've visted -- I'm glad to have found the time to make the rounds. It's always heartening to see others working through the same processes-- each in our own way. : )

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    1. Jessica, thanks for having the time to stop by today. I really enjoyed my visit to your blog too. It is fun to make the rounds and see what others find a connection to.

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  7. Love hearing your process. I too like the bronze color but it's gotta be right for you as the creator. Sometimes I wonder are we ever truly satisfied with our work. Sometimes I have to force myself to stop editing and let the piece stand for itself. ugh

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  8. I love the insights into how you approached this piece, and your choices. The idea that it feels unfinished until you get it right also resonated with me. I find that to be true in my writing as well.

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    1. Thanks Lisa . . . I usually get so distracted when I'm creating that I forget to take pictures of the process. Hoping to do more of that this year.

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  9. This is really spectacular Kathryn. So unique and personal and honest. I look forward to following along to see where you take this next.

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  10. very unique journey you are on... will enjoy watching it unfold.

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    1. Thank you . . . it feels good to try something a little different.

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  11. This is pretty intense. I actually like the color palette that is there, but I know that feeling of working and working and working and suddenly you realize "it's done". That's an interesting internal sensation-I don't really get it, but I know it when I feel it.
    I love text combined with images-and it's cool here on the sculpture as well. Interesting mixed bag of words and messages to you or to the universe.
    As a total non-artist in the classical way of thinking-I like seeing some of the steps you took along the way.
    Happy weekend my friend.

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  12. You are right, sometimes you have to keep working with something to find the right elements that create that heart connection. I think that's the sign of truly expressing yourself - you want to make sure it expresses your vision, even if you have to work and rework it. Thanks for sharing this story in the Photo-Heart Connection!

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  13. No matter what finish you decide on this work of art is amazing and beautiful. Your addition of those words makes it really speak to me.

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  14. I like the autumnal palette a lot.
    Visiting from PHC - what a gorgeous piece of artwork.
    Rinda

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  15. Thanks for sharing this very personal self portrait, Kathryn. Fear can be a powerful thing that holds us back from greatness. Glad to see and hear you are moving through it.

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  16. It is fascinating to read your process, it makes a captivating work of art even more so. Thank you - and yes, I agree, you have to work until it is at a place where you are happy or it will nag forever.

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