'IN BUT NOT OF (YET)' Self Portrait by Laura May Grogan

I live in Mexico City now. As of 5 weeks ago. I don't speak the language, I know very few people and can't walk around alone in many areas of town. It is simultaneously isolating and exciting, scary and freeing, strangely. 

My existence here is very dependant on my partner, a new world in itself. 

This gif is an attempt to showcase these things. I am in these landscapes of Mexico City, but not of them.

Separated by a backdrop 'painted' in much the same way many of the buildings here are - with thick, imperfect white paint. It is also held by my partner, for both logistical and safety reason (with a very big expensive camera in non-tourististic parts of the city) I couldn't even take a self portrait without him.
A gif was needed, because the idea that I could represent myself in just one picture doesn't quite fit with the multifaceted, slightly egocentric view I have of myself. I am a collection of experiences and influences. Currently this city and it's ramifications being the most influential.

You can see the gif and other works by Laura at her website here.

'Self Portrait with Aran Cardigan' by Gillian Nix

For this month's self portrait theme, I knew straight away that I wanted to make an artwork using my beautiful handmade Aran knitted cardigan. I bought the cardigan when I was back in Scotland last Christmas from an amazing vintage store in Edinburgh, called Armstrongs (which I actually used to work at!). 

The artwork is titled 'Self Portrait with Aran Cardigan' and is a limited edition lino print, of 15. The lino block measures 30 x 30 cm and was hand carved over a number of weeks. I started by taking some photos of myself wearing the cardigan, and then used these to draw from. 

I ended up finding out some pretty cool things about Aran knitting - like there are stories attached to different stitches! Cool, hey! I think I will have to revisit some of the beautiful Aran patterns in future work.

The lino cutting took approximately 10 hours and was done is short sittings as it can become a bit sore on my  hands, wrists and arms! I absolutely loved making this and all the tiny cutting. I hope you like it!

The print is for sale here on my Etsy Store.... www.etsy.com/au/shop/PigeonGillian

Gillian x

Editioning...

Self by Marion Power

So new friends... here is my offering. An experimentation with the technique of pinning I've been working on with some of my students. And a visual discussion of self. 
Its white on white - so I'm hoping its reasonably visible.
With thanks,
Marion

'Harriet' by Laura Drever

'Harriet' by Laura Drever

I am a painter of landscape so when I saw this month's theme I thought it would be a real challenge to do a traditional self portrait. I haven't painted like this for 14 years so wasn't quite sure what would happen! While I was painting I used similar methods to my usual practice until my eye made me look that bit closer - my expression, my life lines.

When finished I thought it looked really like my mum so was excited to show hwer - her first comment was "Goodness Laura, that look likes my mum!" Mum's mum sadly died when mum was a young teenager - I have named it 'Harriet' in loving memory of my Granny. xx

Here is the final piece in colour...

The portrait being made...

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SELF PORTRAIT MONTH 26

'Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace & Hummingbird', Frida Kahlo.

Hello Art Clubbers, 

Thank you to Marion and Brenna for kick starting this month's theme and selecting 'Self Portrait' as the next theme. It has been a wee while, but if you are still keen, we are!

Same as before. You have a month to respond to the theme in a creative way....anything....drawing, singing, dancing, baking, imagining!  Email your submissions to myself via Facebook.

Deadline for 'Self Portrait' is the 21st September.

Happy creating!

Gillian x

THE FOX & THE HARE BY ROBERT DONNELLY

Thanks to Robert Donnelly for his submission. Not one, but two beautiful artworks, titled The Fox & The Hare.

Thanks Bobby!

x

TRANSITION BY GILLIAN NIX

Hi everyone,

Here is my submission for the theme of 'Transition'.

Sunrise and dusk are my favourite times of day and for this theme I wanted to do something around that transition period of night to day/day to night.

This print was made using two blocks of lino: the first piece of lino was left uncarved and was used as a plain surface to roll a gradient layer of ink, and the other one was carved with the silhouettes of the trees. The gradient colour was printed first, left to dry, then the silhouette layer printed on top.

Edition of 5. Lino print measures 21 x 21cm , paper measures35 x 50cm.