The Dream or Oneiric Self-Portrait
Frida Kahlo 1932
Francis Picabia
Self-Portrait 1915
1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?
I was interested in non-traditional self-portraits. We tend to think of self-portraits as being a realistically rendered image of ones self, but what if that literally representation does not reflect the person? I purposely took a picture of myself in a moment of over-whelm. This version of myself does not reflect myself on a regular basis. What is self and why are we so obsessed with defining it? I believe that everything we do and make is a reflection of self in someway. I selected these images, because they captured the idea that we are not always our physical face; We are so much more than that.
2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?
I've been working on a visual journal all semester and I've been really into this idea of clip and pulling images from other places. It feels almost juvenile, but I love it? It reminds me of being 13 and decorating my school planner with clippings from Teen Vogue.
3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was TIME. Holy cats! I remember thinking during spring break that I wanted to try and work ahead so I wouldn't have to worry about this class during the final haul... Why did I not actually act on that thought? I don't remember the final weekend being over Mother's Day weekend in years past? It's been really hard to juggle everything this weekend. Just keep swimming. I made myself a cup of coffee and worked on things one step at a time.
4. How does this piece represent you?
The scissors and glue are very much apart of my self portrait. I was sure to include them in my composition. As a pre-service art teacher I feel like I'm always covered in glue. The scissors, I've grown super attached to. I'm not really sure why, but they're my favorite tool. I've had them with me through-out college and they're usually in my purse. I use them probably every day. I actually sat down with my mom as I clipped out things that represented me. Who knows you better than your mom, right? The piece is composed of things that I love and things that I am.
5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?
I used collage for my self portrait. I used a bit of humor, representation, and metaphor while choosing the images. I also used implied lines to draw the eye down the piece. I was careful to create balance among the many clippings. I used space; Well more like a lack-there of. I wanted the page to feel full and cluttered, because that's how I was feeling in the moment.
6. Did you enjoy working on this project?
Yes, I actually did. It was a nice break from writing unit sequences. It was also fun to sit with my mom and discuss some of my choices, while taking some suggestions. My mom found the image of the guy with his head rested on his computer and we got a good laugh from that. It seemed too perfect, in relation to this last week to not include.
7. What do you think of your final artwork?
I like it! I actually put it on the first page of a new sketchbook so that's cool too. It was fun to do this.
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