day 3, 29 faces

i started with the first acrylic 'expressionist' self portrait that i tried 

in the first painting workshop i attended a few years ago.  

at the time i didn't know that a workshop was different from

a class or at least that was my experience.  the workshop was filled 

with people who had been painting for some time, the instructor did not give

lessons.  i was nervous and intimidated.  he came around to your desk 

when you had questions. well, I had questions like

 how do i start

where do i start

like that... i didn't know even the very basics.  

i didn't know anything  about painting everything i learned helped. 

each time i picked up a brush, there was the potential for  learning.  

i still think this is true.

since i haven't picked up oils in a while i decided

to paint over the above painting with a limited palate of oils.

 at the end, i did a little finge rpainting with the leftover paints.

here is the result.

i've been busy...along with the online painting challenges i have been

taking misty mawn's online workshop.  one of the assignments

was to find three photos of yourself at different times in your life

and write about them.  i decided to write in the second person.

1-You inhaled the world

with your curious eyes, 

that exuberant energy

Too much, really, for 

your reserved Japanese family.

But there you are in all

your glory.  Nothing

could stop you.

2- Still curious, now walking

with measured steps.

A burning desire without 

direction.  Yearning,

hungry, open.

You’ll find your way.

3-Ahh.  Your time has come

And keeps coming.

Beyond your wildest dreams.

Living the life with Love

in Love.  Ever grateful.

irene rafael

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding, Four Quartets