The challenge to create a "Self-Portrait" was all that anyone could hope for; it has many stories to tell, it is honest, and it is also very real. Self-portraiture is a difficult, at times uncertain, process delving into one's own personality and place in the world. Together, the poignant artworks carry powerful imagery that has a lot to say. Wassily Kandinsky's artwork completes the Keepsake background with his geometric abstracted style. Excellent work, artists!
- chameleon
Make a Wish . . . Make it Happen!
Cameleon -- this may be the best one yet (except for maybe the Christmas ornament one, which has to be at the top of my list)! The puzzle pieces are SO appropriate for self portraits, as each one of us is part of the big picture, whatever we picture ourselves as.
Again, thanks ever so much for going to this effort -- I really look forward to your keepsakes!
Warmly, Aunt Bobby
Thanks so much, Aunt Bobby. Speaking of self-portraits, yours had a very unique narrative with using multiple photographs of yourself placed on an easel. There was strong balance and unity in your work because of that repetition; also, your wonderful smile speaks volumes of your cheerful nature. Outstanding work, Aunt Bobby!
Chameleon,
You are so talented AND so generous - a powerful combination!
I love seeing the meaning that you see and the connections you make in putting together keepsakes of all of these challenges. Reminds me that creativity lies so much in the connections, the meaning, and the generosity - things that link us as you have linked these beautiful portraits.
Thank you for all you share with us.
wishing you well,
KateSinging
KateSinging,
You know how it is when you've working on, or near completion of an artwork or poem and this little voice says, "You coulda, woulda, shoulda done that differently", or "It really isn't up to snuff - work on it harder, better, longer?" Then I hear words from an Artella friend that lets me know that they were inspired, or enjoyed one of my works and I feel like a million bucks! Thank you for sharing with ME, KateSinging, and for all YOUR very musical words that appear in the Word Playground, Artella Daily Muse, Novel Ideas, and Collaboration Station - they simply sing (like your name) on the page. And you do have that right--I need to have meaning in my work or I feel it is worthless.
Chameleon, this keepsake is so perfect for the subject of Self Portrait. As has been said here already, we are, one and all, puzzle pieces that fit together somehow, some way.
Lovely work and thank you!
-Mary
I guess my mind has been kind of focused on the metaphor of puzzles: how life is one gigantic jigsaw puzzle where we can't see the entire picture but together, the pieces make up the whole. For my self-portrait, I also used puzzle pieces in the background; leaving out one puzzle piece because I've certainly not quite figured 'stuff' out. Not sure if this makes sense! Anyhow, Mary, I value the feedback and look forward to more, more, more art-making.
Great Job, I love the background choice. I too like puzzles these fit nicely and I like the texture on the puzzle pieces too.
This is a perfect match to the self-portraits. You put so much of yourself into these collaborative works. It is wonderful that you share your talent with us.
Bo
Your comments are treasured, annamarie and Bo. You know, I haven't been this motivated to make art in a very long time, and Artella Land encompasses a wide range of creative endeavors, so I feel like I truly belong. There is no pressure to make an art piece larger, smaller, or more saleable. No one suggests that I refrain from writing because I am not a writer. I'm not pushed to make crucial deadlines; when I want to participate, I do! Instead, what I do receive is appreciation, inspiration, and encouragement from my Artella friends.