Art and Identity: Expressing Individuality through Daily Self Portraits
In the world of art, self-portraiture has long been a captivating and intriguing genre, allowing artists to delve into their own identities and explore the complexities of self-expression. In this blog post, I invite you on a journey into my personal series of daily self portraits, where I embark on an exploration of identity, individuality and the ‘Self’. Join me as I delve into the intimate process of capturing my own image.
Rhiannon Piper, Untitled, Oil painting Series.
Every day, I pick up my oil paints and un-stretched canvas and embark on a ritualistic act of self-portraiture. Through each brush stroke, I dont strive for realism but more so a likeness of my physical self. By engaging in the practice of daily self portraits, I create a visual chronicle of my personal growth and evolution. Each portrait represents a specific moment in time, capturing the nuances of my emotions and experiences that day. From days filled with joy and confidence to moments of introspection and lack of inspiration, my self portraits become a tangible reflection of my journey as an individual and an artist.
20/02/23-22/02/23
The beginning of this project, the daunting first steps.
The initial days of the challenge were marked by a surge of pressure and self-doubt. As a perfectionist, the idea of creating a single painting in a mere few hours seemed unfathomable. Frustration and dissatisfaction lingered as I struggled to meet my own unrealistic expectations. The unfinished and unrefined nature of my early attempts left me feeling disheartened, questioning my ability to adapt to this new approach.
Attempting to force a fresh perspective, I decided to embrace the “unfinished” aesthetic on day 2. I consciously played with negative space, allowing it to become an integral part of the composition. Yet, even with this intentional approach, a lingering sense of dissatisfaction persisted. The battle between my perfectionist tendencies and the desire for creative freedom intensified, creating a foundation for self-reflection and growth.
23/02/23-25/02/23
On Day 4, a cloud of uninspiration and frustration loomed over me, leaving me reluctant and unwilling to pick up my brushes. However, I was determined not to let the day pass without creating something. In an act of defiance against my artistic block, I turned to an unconventional canvas—my half-primed canvas that awaited completion. Little did I know that this unexpected twist would lead to a unique “self-portrait” for the day.
By Day 5, I realized that my journey was not solely about capturing a flawless likeness; it was a profound exploration of self-acceptance and the power of embracing imperfection. With renewed determination, I confronted the uncomfortable truth that not every artwork will meet my preconceived notions of perfection. This realization became a pivotal moment, a turning point in my creative process. I learned to let go of the need for flawlessness and allowed creative freedom to take the reins. I discovered that imperfections held their own unique beauty, conveying vulnerability, and authenticity. Each stroke of the brush or pencil became an act of surrender, releasing the shackles of perfectionism and embracing the inherent beauty of the imperfect.
26/02/23-28/02/23
Ending the first week of this challenge…
Days 7 to 9 of the challenge took me on a rollercoaster ride of artistic outcomes, each day presenting its own set of surprises. However, it was Day 8 that stood out as the pinnacle of success within the entire challenge. With a willingness to let go of perfectionism, I created a self-portrait that exuded a loose yet captivating essence. Unfortunately, the following day succumbed to my inner perfectionist, resulting in nothing more than the remnants of a rubbed-out self-portrait.
01/03/23-03/03/23
Day 10 begun again how this series started, an unfinished yet ‘realistic’ depiction of myself, an attempt to regain some control after the previous day’s rubbed out portrait. Day 11 and 12 brought forth some more experimental pieces, where the traditional notions of facial features were pushes to their limits. The canvas became a chaotic playground of abstract shapes with vague facial forms scattered throughout. Day 12 specifically built on the curiosity from Day 11, exploring colours and form. Emerging from loose lines and brushstrokes, breaking away from the strict realism I have a habit of enforcing upon myself.
04/03/23-06/03/23
As the journey continued into the second week of my daily self-portrait challenge, I found myself revisiting the realm of realism, but this time with a newfound sense of ease and naturalness. Day 13 marked a return to capturing a likeness of myself, yet this time it flowed effortlessly from my brush, embodying the essence of the initial day but with a more relaxed approach - likewise for day 15, although there was a seemingly ‘fed up’ emotion translating into the portrait that day. Day 14, on the other hand, presented a creative block. Feeling uninspired, I decided to surrender control and simply matched my skin colour to a paint hue, covering the canvas in this muted tone. While it may not have been the most visually striking or conceptually profound, it served as a reminder that not every day can be filled with boundless inspiration.
07/03/23-10/03/23
In the final stretch of the daily self-portrait series, I found myself grappling with a dwindling well of ideas. However, rather than succumbing to frustration, I chose to embrace experimentation and detach myself from the outcome. Day 15 saw a playful exploration of different mediums, as I incorporated unconventional materials and techniques into the self-portrait, specifically on day 17, where I had covered my face in acrylic paint and proceeded to smash it against the canvas... The result may not have been a masterpiece, but it reminded me of the joy that lies in the process itself (although washing it off my face afterwards was less enjoyable).
The final 2 days of this project was met with some distortion of my likeness, a nod to my mixture of relief and frustration as I had felt like I’d given up on myself. The self-portraits captured a moment in time, a visual narrative of my exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the power of self-expression. And whilst I won’t miss the pressure of a daily portrait, I enjoyed the experience and progress that this challenge had brought me.
Reflecting on this series of daily self-portraits, I am reminded that art is not solely about achieving flawless results or adhering to strict expectations. It is a journey of self-discovery, a means to confront our inner demons, embrace imperfections, and celebrate the beauty of our authentic selves. Whilst I may struggle with creating within the abstract myself, this challenge has widened the constraints I have placed around my own practice.
Thank you all for tuning in! I would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your own experiences with self-portraiture and the ways it has impacted your understanding of identity and self-expression.
Until next time…
Rhiannon x
