Self Portrait Exploration

This was my first try at self-portrait: in summertime, I work as a back country chef on bike tours in Colorado. I wanted to show the outdoors, my carefree attitude, and the happy feeling I get of serving hungry people. I like the perspective and wanted to try again. This was my first attempt using the concepts from the course.

On my next attempt, I wanted to show more activity, people and movement. My hair is closer to my real hair here, and I like my husband's attitude--very true to his personality. Also, my dog Max showing his energy. Mixing colors was new to me--I feel it's a little pale, still want to bump up the volume, but wasn't sure how to do that.

My daughter is a bit like me--she likes to cook. After WhatsApping with her and hearing about her making bread adventures. For this painting, I straight up copied the style from the instructor, wanting to see if imitation would be helpful. I liked thinking more about the foreground and I like how the window turned out; I think it created a feeling of coziness, of her on her solo adventure going to school in Europe. The proportion of the chairs is off, but I think it's OK. I like how the instructor encouraged us to play with proportion, so this made me happy.

I had a dream about staying in my own bubble (literally) and flying above the world. It was a happy, solitary dream and I like the way the painting came out. The colors are a little more vivid and I used more texture, including metallic paint. I like the whimsy.