private view - a collection of self portraits
It has been a few years since I attempted a self portrait, and I found it quite a challenge. After a few abortive, tentative attempts I decided to throw caution to the wind and did a series of 15 or more brush drawings. After a few attempts I started to lose some self consciousness and preconceived ideas about what I was looking at. Drawing with a brush like this is a considerable discipline and reduces the gap between seeing and doing to a minimum. Also the marks when they work operate on the edge of description and generate a real tension between this and their abstract rhythm which I like. Any resemblance to certain Japanese and Chinese Buddhist brush paintings is, I hope, more than just stylistic, but partakes a little of their spirit and intention, helping me to catch ME a little off guard.