Saturday, January 05, 2008

Self Portrait Caught in the Act of Turning Fifty


Self Portrait Caught in the Act of Turning Fifty
Oil on gessoed board
sold
I find it difficult to concentrate on painting at this time of year. As well as the usual "silly season" stuff, yesterday I turned fifty. It seems such a serious number and I felt I should mark the occasion somehow, so I began this little self portrait. My original intention was just to do my face, but it quickly turned into a little study of myself in the act of painting, which I thought was aptly significant and a positive statement for me to make. I was only about twenty minutes into it when some friends made a surprise visit - with champagne... To cut a long story short, I didn't get back to the painting! I considered going on with it today, but then I decided it was better to leave it as it is in it's raw and unfinished state. Maybe that's more true to Life. Do any of us finish all that we set out to do before our allotted time is up?

10 comments:

  1. Happy birthday! nicely done

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  2. First of all, I really like your art! This post really hit home for me. Three weeks ago my dear wife lost her 2 yr battle with cancer, at 63. So much more she wanted do, to accomplish! In 1 month I will be 70. I, too will be doing a self portrait on that day.

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  3. Happy birthday, Paul! It would be nice to see more figurative work...

    William:
    I'm sorry for your loss...

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  4. Anonymous8:25 pm

    Good one Paul, I like the painting, and the story behind it. Happy Birthday!
    30, 50, 70... funny how a little zero can make us think, and stand that little bit longer in front of the mirror! Take care!
    -Fanny

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  5. Another happy birthday! Thanks, just what I needed ... was a bit afraid of the big four oh! But know I see it can be done with style!!!

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  6. Thankyou all for the birthday greetings!

    William - My heartfelt condolences.

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  7. Happy Birthday To You Paul!!!
    I think your painting is great even in it's unfinished state!
    :-)

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  8. Anonymous5:26 am

    Happy Birthday!

    Love the colors in this one.

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  9. All the best for you in your 51st year and beyond, Paul! "Finish" things? I don't know that I ever really finish anything, I just sort of stop doing it...
    Peace, eh?
    Joe

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