My new header is the highlight of this morning. Just a few hours spent in Publisher fooling around with this unflattering image I especially like for the dumb hat on my head and the sceptism in my expression. The look isn't over the hat, I never wear it out; The can-you-imagine look is what makes this charcoal an excellent likeness. I find it amazing that I have decided to pursue my art after all the years I just dabbled with it off and on--and that's why I call the self portrait, The Artful Dodger. I dodged making art to make money. I wanted a husband, children and a swimming pool in the back yard. Those things are costly. I figured there was plenty of time to paint later. What I didn't anticipate was bum knees and arthritic thumbs. Don't you just hate it, that we can't have it all?
My friend emailed to tell me she didn't like my new header; it reminded her of a teacher we had in high school and it made her feel old. I emailed her back that the nice thing about managing a blog is you get to play around at a whim--or in this morning's case, while I was doing the laundry and waiting for the exterminator. I do like to bide waiting time in Publisher every now and then. This header was a Publisher success that didn't come easy.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to portraiture, the portraiture I like the most is where a person is caught in a moment of life with whatever expression is on their face provoked by whatever's happening. It's why I'm doing a three quarter figure portrait of JD; I caught him at a high. His expression/his body language is revealing the cocky side of this youngster's personality. The joyous expressions of the little girls I met at the lake revealed their love for one another and the wonderful day they were having together. It's the many expressions that people have that made me choose to concentrate on portraiture. If I had to paint everyone looking their best, it would bore me to death.
I enjoy spontaniety. That look I caught of myself tickled me; it is totally not how others see me, yet it was how I looked the moment I clicked the shutter. It was a fleeting look at skeptism, an emotion I usually hide behind a smile.
And you know what? I hate to tell you girlfriend, we are old.
I actually do like the new header, which doesn't mean I'm not old. I just think it is pretty cool. And yes, I hate it that we can't have it all. I would just like to keep most of what I have a little longer.
ReplyDeleteMe too! And though our parts may be breaking down, I am really enjoying being self confident enough to show the world this self portrait. I recall a lecture on self actualization in a psychology course years ago. The gist was everyone's aim in life should be to "develop or reach one's full potential." I haven't quite hit the target yet--but only because I keep setting it farther away. I do enjoy a stretch and think we all should keep on doing it. --Thanks JJ. I've been playing with this image for a couple of tries. This one did it for me.
DeleteAs I always say, 'its YOUR page'.... change is good!.. and u are right we all get old... woohoo to those who embrace aging w/grace...
DeleteDoes that mean you like it, or you don't? You don't have to, because as you said, it is my page and I do like to shake it up every now and then. Trouble is I'm not as computer savvy as I'd like to be, but good enough. You still haven't told me how you angle your title. That maneuver does interest me.
DeleteAge is something that just happens. It sneaks up. Your first hint is when some store clerk calls you ma'am. Your second hint is when brocolli sticks in your teeth--about the same age some store clerk calls you ma'am (42). Then there's the cessation of catcalls and whistles as you walk down the street, (55). Finally, you know for sure you're over the hill when no one looks at all when you enter a room. (70). But the saving grace for being unnoticed is you are the wisest, the best you've ever been and free to be yourself no holds barred. From what I've noticed most of us want to be twenty years younger KNOWING EVERYTHING WE KNOW OLDER. So age is just a trade-off. With my recent drop in weight, I bought one pair of brilliant magenta skinny pants and two mini dressed--well not as mini as I wore them with my Corriege boots, but above the knee. I might be afflicted by a last hurrah? I'll know for sure when there's a hot red Ferrari in the driveway. Look what you did. --Here am I running off at the keyboard about age, when all I was really showing you was the power repetition added to that drawing.
YES, I LIKE IT!!.... but I will admit I liked the original one u had before... In this one I see confidence and self assured woman.
DeleteI like that one too--and you'll probably see it again. I like to change it up--as do you I've noticed.
Deletea me l'intestazione piace molto,trovo che hai fatto molto bene,ottimo lavoro Linda!
ReplyDeleteCiao,un abbraccio!!
Thanks Franz. It was interesting to layout. The image by itself didn't do anything for me, but repeating it gave it strength. I'd like the band to be narrower. For that to happen, I'd have to play around some more with resizing in my photo program and then see how my adjustments translate in Blog layout. What you see here is the second resizing. It really is a darn good thing I don't own Photoshop. The laundry would never get done, the soup wouldn't be made, the ants wouldn't be exterminated--nothing would get done around the house or painted. :-)))
DeleteJe bent veels te streng voor jezelf probeer eens meer te genieten van de dingen die je maakt en ziet zal je zien hoe fijn gevoel het geeft lieve groetjes Danielle
ReplyDeleteDanielle Ik ben hard voor mezelf, maar niet dit bericht. Dit bericht was net wat denk je van deze nieuwe header. Het was mijn HS vriend die opgevoed leeftijd - en alles wat ik deed was zeggen, we zijn ouder. God zij dank. Je nam mijn woorden te serieus. Ik moet nog een post te schrijven.
DeleteIn a nutshell: Danielle says I'm too hard on myself. Here's what I answered in Dutch in English:
Danielle I am hard on myself,but not this post. This post was just what do you think of this new header. It was my HS friend who brought up age--and all I did was say, we are older. Thank God for that. You took my words too seriously. I'll have to write another post.
Yes, I like your new header, it definitely has strength. And I hate it that we can't have it all. Especially hate my bum knees too. I wish I had enjoyed my parts more when I was younger! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's strength in repetition; there's strength in numbers. It's something I've been working on in my art over the years. When you think about it, repetition is day-to-day, YET there's always a slight change that carries us forward wiser.
DeleteI decided to do something about my bum knee. I'm calling this morning about having a MAKOplasty, a half knee replacement. They don't cut bone, or put in a metal device that sets off airport security machines; they put in artificial cartiledge. I've about had it with cortisone shots and icing. There's an eight week rehab period, but you're driving to it. It's a couple of days of yuk.
I have been thinking of changing things up on my blog and my website is out of date. I keep thinking I'll tackle both--and them I don't! I like the new header! I agree, it is no fun to get older---but of course, the alternative is no fun at all! My friend sent me a wonderful card for my birthday once...the outside read: You look young! You look so young! and on the inside it said: When you stand next to an 80 year old. hahaha! But, it's true. Someday you might well look back at the age you are now and think of that age as young. It's all relative! Your attitude and your interests are going to keep you young always--I know it!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I care about aging is that I do it. I drew myself looking old in this drawing, but standing next to it, i look fine. My looks have served me well; I was blessed and I know it. Where the designer came up short was on my left side. While lots of gals complain about their thighs or their hair, i complain about my left side. From the bum knee to the bum breast to the whacky inner ear, my left side was poorly done. Fortunately, modern medicine could fix the breast and the bum knee; unfortunately, there's little they know about the inner ear, so i'm taking notes and passing them along. Life's a crap shoot. All in all, crap shoots,win or lose the throw, are pretty exciting. One portrait doesn't totally describe a person, just that moment in time.
DeleteFor commissioned portraits, of course, everyone is beautiful given the artist has skills--technical as well as people. We're paid for our most pleasing.
Great new header! Looks fantastic , very eye catching!
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen--for not getting tied up with the age thing and just commenting on what you thought of my work in Publisher yesterday morning. I should never have told the world what my HS friend said, but it did astound me that she went right for the age thing. I guess a lot of us are touchy about swimming in these tricky waters.
DeleteLike the new header - shakes my eyeballs up a bit.
ReplyDeleteenjoyed the humor about age. I knew I was aging when others stopped looking at me in the airports. I became totally anonymous. It is fabulous!
Yes--and no. Yes with regards to oggling. No with regards to service. Fortunately age gifts extreme self confidence and a mouth that can be heard across a football field if neglected too long.
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