 'Close-up' ... bronze  'Portrait of the Artist' ... ceramic  'Self Portrait' ... bronze | I have to admit to having been somewhat amused and bemused by the current "selfie" craze, until I stopped for a moment and thought about all of the times that I have utilized some form of self portrait in my artwork. I had actually used a "selfie" shot taken at arm's length for a visual reference when I created my 'Close-up ' self portrait relief in bronze - but this happened a couple of years before before the term "selfie" surfaced on the radar of popular culture. Other instances where I used my own likeness in my work either resulted from time spent in front of a mirror or variations made from a plaster life mask and mold. I have certainly found that as my own model I am readily available, I have an uncanny understanding of what I require of me, and I don't mind laughing at myself. All that adds up to a satisfactory working relationship! Certainly the essence of the "selfie", the act of capturing and sharing a close up and revealing image of oneself, is also a integral part of any artist's self-portrait whether in a sculpture, relief, painting, or drawing...whether the image is a reflection of the physical self, the emotional self or perhaps a self yet to be revealed. With that thought in mind, I will continue to incorporate my "self" in my work. |  'Close-up' ... bronze  'Portrait of the Artist' ... ceramic  'Self Portrait' ... bronze |
 'Clerical error' ...plaster & wood |  'Clerical Error' ... plaster (detail) |  June '87 ... pencil |  Sept. '87 ... charcoal |
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Additional information regarding 'Close-Up', 'Self Portrait', and life masks can be found in my blog entries for
9-21-12 12-5-12 3-1-13 9-1-13
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