Art, Figure Painting, oil painting, Painting, Self portrait

Birthday Portrait time again

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16″ x 12″ oil on paper

It’s that time again. Looking back at my birthday self portrait post from last year, much has changed and stayed the same. I would have to say that, despite my worry and the state of the economy, it’s been a good year for me. I’m still employed and with her cancer in remission, my wife has been feeling pretty good. My daughters, although unemployed, are living back under our roof and we’ve been really enjoying spending time together as a family again.

As I’ve explained before, I try to do a self portrait every year around the time of my birthday. Originally they were based on a pencil drawing I did of myself when I was 22 years old. This year I decided to do an oil based on an oil I did of myself around the same time. Here’s the original. I did it while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. The class I did it in was focused on painting heads using old master techniques. I remember doing a copy of a Frans Hals just before this.

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6 thoughts on “Birthday Portrait time again”

  1. Happy Birthday Bill. I like what you’ve done with skin tones, shadows, and most of all, great expressiveness.
    Seems the angst and worry of our days, really has a life of its’ own and is often best viewed by ignoring the worry.
    I’m glad, most of all that things are going well for you and your family.
    It’s unfortunate that the circumstances of unemployment reunite us with children, but isn’t it good to have that time.

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  2. Thank you Bonnie. Ironically, the day I wrote this, unbeknownst to me, a large number of employees were being layed off from the company I work for. So much for that sense of peace I was experiencing 😦

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  3. Hey Bill, nice piece! Haven’t checked in for awhile. You’re doing great stuff. Good to hear your wife’s cancer is in remission. Hope you’re still employed. Best wishes,Brian

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  4. It is a great idea…I’m going to cop=opy you…a selfportrait every year! A great one you did for this year and though I’m very late with the wishes(I haven’t sihed you, have I? why do I have doubt now??) may this year be filled with exciting art!
    Ronell

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  5. Ronell, It’s always nice to hear from you. I’ll look forward to seeing your yearly self portraits. I’m not sure what ‘sihed’ is so I can’t tell if you’ve done it or not. Thank you very much for the well wishes I send them back to you with warm regards.

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