Title:
Self-Portrait with Animal Print Hat
Artist: Mary Gravelle
Media: Charcoal on paper, 20"
x 28" (approx.)
About this image:
I drew this self-portrait during a college Figure Drawing
course in the fall of 2000. I would recommend that everyone take
a figure drawing class at least once in your lifetime.
You will do many self-portraits as you are the easiest model
to procure. The lovely thing about doing a self-portrait is that
you get to know yourself a little more. As you stare into the
mirror -- for hours at a time! -- you become more familiar with
the person you spend all of your time with. Line by line you
come to know the more intimate details of who you are.
Looking, seeing for the first time every little crevice and
mark on your face and body, you try so hard to get what you see
in the mirror down on the paper. You stare harder and more
intently. You draw slower.
Every little charcoal stroke means something and can change
the entire image in a second; much like life, every action we
take changes our lives forever. Luckily with a drawing you can
use an eraser. However, you can never erase it totally. It is
still there underneath your new marks, revealing the character
of your every move.
When I took this class, my brother had died only six weeks
earlier. Talk about a hard thing to do. Drawing life when death
faced me in its darkest hour. I think this portrait captures the
sadness I was feeling. Sad eyes showed through on every
self-portrait I drew that semester. You cannot run away. Life
stares back at you sometimes with a glare and sinister
smile.
And time heals. It has been 2 1/2 years since my brother,
Dave, died. It was his birthday on Wednesday of this week,
October 22. Until I wrote this today, I didn't realize that this
inspiring image would be in his honor. I love you Dave, and I
miss you tremendously -- my baby brother, and my best friend.
As John Edwards always says on Crossing Over, take the time
today to touch your loved ones while they are still alive. And
when they have crossed over, always know that they are with you
and you can still talk to them. So, okay Dave, are you
listening? Yeah, I know you are.
I hope my story has inspired you. Do you have any art related
bereavement stories to share? Has my portrait and story inspired
you in some way? Please post
your comments and share a little of yourself with us today.
Thanks.
Posted:
October 25, 2002
Written by Mary Gravelle
© 2002 Mary Gravelle
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here.
Email Mary: mary@wisdompainting.com
Go to the Inspiring Images Art Gallery, click
here.
Go the Global Art Project 2002 CT Artists
Art Gallery, click here.
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posted artwork, click here.
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