some cartoon in me

I have been wanting to try my hand at a self-portrait.

I’m not really sure how it’s going.

I have been planning this portrait for many weeks, and when I mentioned to my boyfriend that I was going to start on it the other evening, he said, “You know, I’m not entirely on board with this self-portrait plan. You paint pets!”

He was worried, as was I, that I would be terrible at painting a person. But, I explained, that was the adventure in it! Perhaps I will be–but I have to find out!

I was not prepared, however, for the end of the evening, when I couldn’t even look at it. That’s how terrible my self-portrait was turning out. At first I was so easy to paint–I know myself well. And I had the self-portraits of Van Gogh for inspiration. What could be easier?

It wasn’t easy. I haven’t been able to pick it back up, but my parents have assured me that it’s worth finishing. I said to my mom, “Mom! I look like a cartoon!” and she said, “Well, honey, you do have some cartoon in you.”