Monday, February 3, 2014

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.

8 comments:

  1. Your poetry is as wonderful as your art. Love this! It is so nice that you show your process. It is neat to see the under painting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it when I see other people post their creative process so I thought I'd add it to my blog at times. I'm glad you like it.

      Delete
  2. This is a wonderful post and your writing is beautiful. I love how you repainted the first portrait. Good work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your 'over work' is really very nice, as is your poetry.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful Irene, such a joy to behold.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the raw expression in both paintings ~ and I say that with extreme honor.
    And your poetry … ::sigh::

    Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow--this is lovely! Thanks for posting also an earlier stage. I wouldn't have imagined that transformation.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your very first attempt at the workshop is superb, and I would not think it was as a beginner that you painted. The overpainting is lovely, soft focus, with a misty background. Beautifil poem too for the three photos.

    ReplyDelete