"Carbon Copy, (self portrait as my father)", carbon transfer on paper, image size 15 1/4" x 20 1/4"
The first in a series I’m calling ‘The Portrait Within’, “Carbon Copy, (self portrait as my father)”, is the beginning of an intimate commentary on the person inside- the one we keep in the closet for introspection on rainy days.
The outward appearance only tells part of the story. I believe that as human beings we are the only animals inherently complex enough to invent ourselves on a daily basis to appear to others how we wish to be perceived. What follows here will be an exercise in peeling back the layers of the onion, revealing my interpretation of the unseen; the hidden parts.
Some may be pretty, some not so. Feel free to leave a comment.
artboy68
This may be meant to be one that isn’t pretty…but actually I love pigs
Carbon transfer on paper? How do you do that Scott?
Quite simple, really- just carbon paper laid over the final work surface with a printout of the image over top- voila! Bic pen and start working. A print of sorts, as it would be reproducible.
fab !
Genius!
Thanks Barbara!
love this idea. can’t wait to see the story.
Thanks Madison. Me too!
Again I say, wow! I always look forward to your posts when I see your name in my Inbox.
Thanks Arlene! Wow, your post http://scienceandstory.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/our-shadows-give-us-definition/ is like the perfect companion post here… Love it.
I liked that one, too. I think I’ll have to do a version with an all black letter and an all black background and white shadows. The “lights give us definition,” and “everyone is not all bad” version.
I found a quote I think you’ll like.
“If you hear a voice within you say “I cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh.
Ah, dear Vincent. Thank you for sharing that quote! Indeed, understanding comes by doing…
Hm. He’s a pig and so are you? But such a cute and happy-looking pig. Can’t be that bad. (Whatever it means, love the way it looks, the sketchiness of the method.)
Thanks Anna- not meant to be quite so literal, but hey, if the shoe fits…
Very interesting choice of animal… In the Chinese calender, Pigs are loyal and kind… I see that side of you.
Thanks Elizabeth! Interesting about the Chinese calendar… there’s a lot of deep meaning in this piece for me- it’s sort of about the ‘other’, other side of me… and reaches back generations; but I am loyal and kind too, (usually), thanks! I wrote an unusual story related to the idea of ‘self portrait as my father’, maybe I’ll post it here.
Pigs are also staggeringly tolerant and make friends for life…all good qualities Scott – Jx
Thanks Jane-
This is probably going to sound weird, but the first thing I thought of when I saw the pictures and then read your post was this episode of Twilight Zone where a dad dies and leaves behind a will that stated to each of his children that he was leaving behind the ability for them to transform into what they were on the inside. Each one of the adult children became who they really were. It was very much like you wrote here. I like this a lot. Makes you think about who you really are … uh oh (LOL)… Love your blog. It’s really interesting. Glad I happened upon it.
Thank you for your kind words! I love comments like yours that add valuable insight. I was unaware of that twilight episode- I’ll have to try and find it
Definitely … it was kind of interesting.
This drawing made me think of that Japanese movie/animation ‘Spirited away’ where the girls parents commit gluttony and are transformed into pigs, then they die. Wonderful animation though.
I’ve seen that movie- loved it! Thanks for commenting!
I love it. This is such an interesting direction and discussion.
Thanks Isabella
I am so impressed and inspired by your work and honoured that you are following art rat cafe. Your new series is brilliant and your portrait project blew me away, both in technique and challenge (100 in 20 weeks plus working full time – quite an accomplishment! – you should be very proud). You are a magician with a pencil and your colour work is magic.
I am following your site as of tonight and look forward to exploring it in more depth and seeing your new work.
Thank you for your kind words! I just came from your blog- you are an amazing artist and I envy the students you have had during your career as a teacher. Very inspired! I will be following you in kind!
ciao! you are (ad)dressing the layers with a decisive intrinsic essence.
thebestdressup