Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Hidden in Plain - sold

'Hidden In Plain Sight'
5.5" x 7" watercolor on paper 
SOLD


Last year I had this idea that I was going to paint a big series of myself (because I'm a cheap model, I work for free) in a bunch of different masks. I was so excited. And then I started painting my first one. It was a close up of just my eyes and the mask. After that first one my excitement kind of. . . left.
It is wicked hard to paint yourself. It feels like the worst kind of narcissism to think that I am important enough to be painted, by my own hand no less. It feels like getting dressed up to go to the prom when you're actually just going grocery shopping, and you're a thirty year old woman who is just way too old to be getting dressed up for the prom.
I couldn't shake that feeling. I don't like looking at myself for a long time. So my project got set aside. Until now.
Because it's Halloween time (Almost! Chocolate, sugar, zombies, ZOMBIES!!!) and I love Halloween. :)
It also helped that I was wearing a mask so I could pretend that it wasn't actually my face I was painting, but some random blonde woman. He, he. :)
And now I shall end this entirely too awkward blog post, in this entirely too awkward way of telling you I'm going to end this blog post.
I think I need some chocolate. . . Huzzah!!

Posted by Crystal Cook at 6:45 PM
Labels: , , , , ,

21 comments:

  1. Kim RempelOctober 3, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    Chocolate, sugar and Halloween. You're talking my language! I think people in the arts understand your dilemma. I remember going to a show and it was filled with self-portraits of the artist. Someone asked me if I thought she was conceited and I said NO! But all she needed to get to work was a mirror. No expense and available any time of day : ) No need to feel awkward, besides you've got such a lovely face : )) Gorgeous painting! I can feel the textures on that mask and even your hair looks soft!

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  2. UnknownOctober 3, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Don't feel awkward - self portraits are some of my FAVORITE works of art, and this work of art is no exception! Love it so much, Crystal!

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  3. Roger ÅkessonOctober 3, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Lol, you put a smile on my face. I had guessed that it would be something with feathers and connected to Halloween, judging by the preview, but this came as a surprise. This is fun and dramatic.

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  4. Carol BlackburnOctober 4, 2012 at 1:35 AM

    Such a fun painting. I love the title too. Did you say zombies????? I do enjoy a good zombie flick as long as there is a bowl of candy corn to nibble on.

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  5. Teresa Palomar LoisOctober 4, 2012 at 4:04 AM

    Ha! I feel your pain :) But you did a great job, it glows, now I need to see the next one in a more monster-y halloween costume *nudge nudge*

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  6. hmuxoOctober 4, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    A funny post, Crystal...If I looked as beautiful as you, I would do a self-portrait without the mask!!! I hope to see more of your self-portraits...I love the light and the mask is painted beautifully!!

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  7. Sandra BusbyOctober 4, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    I can imagine feeling exactly the same if I were painting myself! It must be inbuilt in to all of us! But - instead of looking at it like your simply painting yourself, why not look at the other important reasons why you must!
    One day, a long time in the future - Your kids will be lucky enough to come across a mountain of stunning paintings of all of them, recording them as they have grown at every stage. And of course they will also come across paintings of their Dad too.
    One day they will want so desperately to hang Dads painting on their wall - Hmm... But where's Mum? Can you imagine how sad it would be if they had a collection of paintings of the entire family but there isn't any of Mum? So - just for them to find one day, why not paint several paintings of both you and Mr Cook! It will be a wonderful gift! And though I love the mask, there really should be some without it too, lol!
    This painting blows me a way! It is intriguing and gorgeous I love the highlights and colours in the mask and those gorgeous eyes peeping through :0)

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  8. Vinayak DeshmukhOctober 4, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    Very beautifully done. Indeed I agree with everyone who thinks you should do more self portraits!
    I love the way you have used the white of the paper to show the effect of light on your hair.

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  9. Sonya JohnsonOctober 4, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    You are so funny, Crystal! I've never thought of self-portraits as narcissistic - I find them to be a wonderful and intriguing glimpse into an artist's soul. But, I would agree that doing one can be a humbling experience!

    I love the idea of a series of self-portraits with masks. This one is fabulous, and I hope you reconsider the series in the future.

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  10. KonstantinaPOctober 4, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    Haha Crystal!! Bless your heart, you made my day :)
    The painting is, as always, marvelous!!!
    Warm regards.

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  11. Bren Graham ThebeauOctober 4, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    LOL, you did a great job of it, even if you were gazing into your own face, a lot. Honestly, I think many of us would have the same problem doing a self-portrait. Appreciate your talent, your honesty and your humour :-)

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  12. Kim VanlandinghamOctober 4, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    Beautiful painting! I hate painting myself too. Hated it in school when they made us do self portraits.

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  13. Pierre BOYEROctober 4, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    Superbe....

    Pierre

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  14. Studio at the FarmOctober 5, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    Crystal, I agree with Sonya. Your self-portrait in the mask is superb! I hope you paint more of these in the future. :)

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  15. PrabalOctober 5, 2012 at 9:55 AM

    Ha ha ha.. But I immediately knew it was you when I saw the pic. You have painted yourself very well.

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  16. John (JWJarts)October 5, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    I'm with Sandra ... this is a great portrait, but do some without the mask for the kids.

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  17. WatermarycolorsOctober 5, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    I love it! the light, the colors.. everything is perfect.. Happy weekend!

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  18. renateOctober 6, 2012 at 4:39 AM

    Hello Crystal: Love your post haha. I couldn't see it was you under that mask. You think! Of course I could see:) Beautiful done. Love the colors and the mask.

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  19. CHRIS MURRAYOctober 7, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    You are gorgeous. If I did this, I would be so pumped, I would plaster it everywhere. Perfect avatar.

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  20. CarrieOctober 10, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    This is so awesome, Crystal!! I love it and can completely understand having a hard time with the concept of a self-portrait. You of course did a fantastic job and I think the masked idea is great. You can do some more in February for Carnevale:))

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  21. UnknownNovember 16, 2012 at 5:01 AM

    Genial!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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