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Art
& self
observation. (Mirror image.)
A project in self observation & awareness.
We are all in some way conscious of how we
look, but have you ever stood in front of the mirror and really taken
notice of yourself. I’m not talking about your everyday routine beauty
check before you leave the house. Or the does my bum look big in this,
as you glance over your shoulder. I’m talking about spending time to
really look and pay attention to yourself. To look at every detail of
what you see.
Ok you’ve got me. When do any of us get time to actually pay attention
to ourselves let alone study ourselves. After all we spend most if not
all of our time running around after everyone else, trying to please and
delight those around us and meeting deadlines within our strict
routines, it’s no surprise really that we overlook the most important
thing of all. OURSELVES. Besides which, when, or if we do finally get
time alone, we are too exhausted to take advantage of it anyway.
However if you could find the time to study yourself, and I mean really look
and take note of what you see, paying attention to every line, wrinkle, dimple and
curve, and all the minute details that we so often overlook and yet make you
unique, could you imagine yourself as the subject of a work of art, and if
so how would you see yourself and want to be portrayed.
Throughout history both males and females have been portrayed in many guises
and many forms. Some works show full frontal alluring poses that hold our
attention and lead our imaginations into a world of thought provoking
fantasy, while others invite us to look deeper into the subject, seeking out
their personalities and second guessing their very thoughts. Some offer us
just a glimpse, again leaving the rest to our own imaginations.
How do you see yourself, how would you choose to be seen. Would you
choose a specific part, perhaps your shoulders, your face, an eye or your
lips. Would you choose to portray your whole body, and if so would it be
clothed, partially clothed, naked, standing, lying or sitting. What mood
would you want to portray. Perhaps how you are feeling at that moment, or
maybe how you felt before you took the time to take notice of yourself.
Don't be afraid to touch yourself and explore
every detail of who you are. Explore every curve and crease. Experience the
sensation of your touch and how it makes you feel. Try to find the mood that
you seek then apply it to your work.
Once you have decided on how you want to portray yourself, you now only have
to decide by what means you wish to do it. There are many ways to capture
your image, all you have to do is decide.
It doesn’t matter how it looks, this is about you paying attention to
yourself. If at first it looks nothing like what you set out to do don’t
worry. Once you have the initial basic idea you can fine tune the details
later. This is your chance to portray yourself in a way that you
decide, you are in control and can be seen in a way that you want to be seen, so take your time,
indulge yourself and
enjoy the experience.
The most important thing is to be proud of who you are and take
pleasure from yourself and what you are seeing. You are the subject, the centre of your
attention, you decide what to portray and how to portray it.
In conclusion.
Not all of us are brilliant artists so don't be too disappointed if the
finished piece isn't perfect or bears little or no resemblance to what you
set out to do.
The object of this exercise is for you to see the brilliance and uniqueness
of who you are and to become aware of yourself. Its not about producing a
masterpiece or a picture perfect representation of yourself, unless of course
this is your objective.
At the end of the exercise
you might just be amazed at how beautiful and perfect you are. You may want
to keep your work for yourself or to show it to others or you may decide to discard it. Its your choice.
Your in control. You
decide.
Just take the time. Its yours after all.
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