self portrait
OverviewTitle: Self-Portrait
Size: 3 x 3 ft Medium: Acrylic Paint on Canvas Completion: April 2023 Exhibition TextMy acrylic-based self-portrait art piece is inspired by two Frida Kahlo artworks. On a 3 foot by 3 foot canvas, I combined two of Kahlo’s self-portraits, taking the layout of Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird and using the idea of attaching strings from herself to significant objects, to create a piece that resonates with me and important aspects of my life.
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inspiration
My inspiration for my self-portrait is Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo created the piece Henry Ford Hospital in 1932 after suffering a miscarriage at 25 years of age and, in 1940, she painted Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, utilizing animal iconography to express her anguish and grief. Kahlo drew heavily from her Mexican culture for these pieces as well as many of her other works. Her life experiences had a big impact on the self-portraits she created. Kahlo's artwork is usually recognized for its vivid portrayals of suffering. She frequently depicted intimate details from her life in her paintings, including her marriage, her miscarriages, and her several surgeries. Her 143 works include 55 self-portraits, many of which figuratively depict physical or emotional suffering. Kahlo's bold color choices and ominous symbolism reveal her close ties to indigenous Mexican culture. Although in Mexican tradition monkeys are viewed as lusty symbols, Kahlo portrayed them as delicate, protective creatures. As a result, she regularly employed the monkey as a symbol. Christian and Jewish themes are usually evident in her art. She combined surrealistic representations with components of the nation's long-standing religious traditions.
For my self-portrait, I wanted to combine Frida Kahlo's two pieces: Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird and Henry Ford Hospital. I wanted my face to be the main focus of the piece, which matches with Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird. She paints herself in front of leaves with a neutral facial expression. To match with her painting Henry Ford Hospital, I plan on incorporating six important items in my life. Differently, though, I plan on using my hair as the string that connects the items to me, as my hair is a big part of my identity.
For my self-portrait, I wanted to combine Frida Kahlo's two pieces: Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird and Henry Ford Hospital. I wanted my face to be the main focus of the piece, which matches with Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird. She paints herself in front of leaves with a neutral facial expression. To match with her painting Henry Ford Hospital, I plan on incorporating six important items in my life. Differently, though, I plan on using my hair as the string that connects the items to me, as my hair is a big part of my identity.
planning
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/2/8/142850208/published/a4b6c458-448b-4c9b-9493-56e2543e9e0a-1-201-a.jpeg?1681748938)
To begin planning, I started by spilling my thoughts onto paper. As stated in my inspiration statement, I took heavy influence from Frida Kahlo's painting, Henry Ford Hospital. She has six items tied to her with red strings that have great significance to her. I ultimately decided that my six significant items were an airpod because I extensively listen to music through my AirPods, a cross because I associate myself with the Christian religion, a Puerto Rican flag because I take pride in my Puerto Rican heritage, a mango because mangoes are my favorite fruit, a hairbrush. After all, I love my hair, and un flor de maga which is Puerto Rico's national flower.
I sketched out each object with a pencil and I used alcohol markers to color them in to mimic the look of paint. The alcohol markers can be used to add depth but can be patchy and not easily blended, similar to acrylic paint. I also made a rough sketch of how I want my hair to be incorporated into my self-portrait art piece. I drew my hair as slicked back with a curly puff in the back, a style I used to wear commonly when it was shorter. I wanted to accurately represent my curls and how they stretch when pulled. In my final piece, I want some curls to be stretched and wrapped around my six significant items, similar to the red strings in Frida Kahlo's Henry For Hospital. My last sketch shows different leaves. To similarly represent Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, I want to paint many different types of leaves in the background of my self-portrait.
I sketched out each object with a pencil and I used alcohol markers to color them in to mimic the look of paint. The alcohol markers can be used to add depth but can be patchy and not easily blended, similar to acrylic paint. I also made a rough sketch of how I want my hair to be incorporated into my self-portrait art piece. I drew my hair as slicked back with a curly puff in the back, a style I used to wear commonly when it was shorter. I wanted to accurately represent my curls and how they stretch when pulled. In my final piece, I want some curls to be stretched and wrapped around my six significant items, similar to the red strings in Frida Kahlo's Henry For Hospital. My last sketch shows different leaves. To similarly represent Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, I want to paint many different types of leaves in the background of my self-portrait.
process
Before painting, I created my canvas using 3-foot by 3-foot wood sticks. I inserted the pieces into each other and then stapled them together to hold them in place. I then tightly stapled the canvas onto the frame and cut the excess fabric. I then gessoed the canvas to prep for painting.
I free-handed my self-portrait with a 4H drawing pencil by using reference photos of my face, taking importance in the distance between each of my features.
Next, I began by painting my hair. I mixed many different colors to add depth to the curls. I tested a few colors against my skin to get the correct skin tone and painted the areas of my face that had the least depth or structure. I then sketched out my six significant objects around my head and hair. I painted each object and then painted my curls stretched around their respective item. Next, I went back to my facial area, painting my eyes, eyebrows, lips, and ears according to my many reference photos. I then test out tones that would represent a shadow on my skin and paint my nose, eyelids, and neck. To make the painting more realistic as to what I look like, I decided to add jewelry, such as my gold nose ring hoop and matching gold earrings. I then painted the background according to Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, making sure to add a variety of different leaves in the background of my piece. I decided not to add a necklace in contrast to Kahlo's self-portrait, however, I did decide to paint myself in a white square-neck top, a piece of clothing that, in my opinion, symbolizes purity and youth.
I free-handed my self-portrait with a 4H drawing pencil by using reference photos of my face, taking importance in the distance between each of my features.
Next, I began by painting my hair. I mixed many different colors to add depth to the curls. I tested a few colors against my skin to get the correct skin tone and painted the areas of my face that had the least depth or structure. I then sketched out my six significant objects around my head and hair. I painted each object and then painted my curls stretched around their respective item. Next, I went back to my facial area, painting my eyes, eyebrows, lips, and ears according to my many reference photos. I then test out tones that would represent a shadow on my skin and paint my nose, eyelids, and neck. To make the painting more realistic as to what I look like, I decided to add jewelry, such as my gold nose ring hoop and matching gold earrings. I then painted the background according to Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, making sure to add a variety of different leaves in the background of my piece. I decided not to add a necklace in contrast to Kahlo's self-portrait, however, I did decide to paint myself in a white square-neck top, a piece of clothing that, in my opinion, symbolizes purity and youth.
experimentation
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/2/8/142850208/published/f2993ff2-5506-4b51-a720-8c2571bbcf3b.jpeg?1681749033)
Throughout my self-portrait art piece, I mainly experimented with color. Unlike my other projects created during the 2022-2023 school year, I decided to use acrylic paint. I am familiar with acrylic paint, however, I have not used the medium in about a year.
Since my hair and curls play a big role in my self-portrait, I decided to experiment with the curls' texture and color definition. I made multiple different colors for my curls by using and mixing the colors red, yellow, and black. I differed each mixture by adding mixing in a small portion more of one of the specific colors previously listed. Through this process, I was able to create golden brown, dark brown, dark cherry red/brown, and more. As stated earlier, I also experimented with the texture of my curls. Since my curls are loose and large, I didn't want to misrepresent my curls. I decided to use different types of squiggles such as z-curls, s-curls, spirals, and circles. I tried each of these methods throughout the puff of my hair to add volume and depth to my hair, but near the outer ends, I decided to focus more on using the s-curls and circle-type curls.
I overall experimented with colors. While I mainly focused my color mixtures on my curls, I also used many mixtures for my skin. When creating my skin tone, I mixed together a lot of white acrylic paint, a small portion of red, a small portion of blue, and a medium portion of yellow. As I mixed the colors together, I tested each color of paint on my skin, as well as the canvas. I would gradually add more white as the skin tones I created came out more tan. However, the tan mixtures worked well for the parts of my face that needed depth.
Since my hair and curls play a big role in my self-portrait, I decided to experiment with the curls' texture and color definition. I made multiple different colors for my curls by using and mixing the colors red, yellow, and black. I differed each mixture by adding mixing in a small portion more of one of the specific colors previously listed. Through this process, I was able to create golden brown, dark brown, dark cherry red/brown, and more. As stated earlier, I also experimented with the texture of my curls. Since my curls are loose and large, I didn't want to misrepresent my curls. I decided to use different types of squiggles such as z-curls, s-curls, spirals, and circles. I tried each of these methods throughout the puff of my hair to add volume and depth to my hair, but near the outer ends, I decided to focus more on using the s-curls and circle-type curls.
I overall experimented with colors. While I mainly focused my color mixtures on my curls, I also used many mixtures for my skin. When creating my skin tone, I mixed together a lot of white acrylic paint, a small portion of red, a small portion of blue, and a medium portion of yellow. As I mixed the colors together, I tested each color of paint on my skin, as well as the canvas. I would gradually add more white as the skin tones I created came out more tan. However, the tan mixtures worked well for the parts of my face that needed depth.
critique
When comparing my self-portrait to Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird and Henry Ford Hospital, I believe my self-portrait equally resembles both paintings. When comparing my piece to Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, I notice that the area that my face takes up on the canvas is similar to the space she used for her face in her portrait. The background that I painted for my art piece is also similar to hers as she uses leaves and nature in her portrait. I also decided to put myself in a white top, similar to the top worn by Kahlo in her piece. On the contrary, I did not incorporate any animals in the project, unlike Kahlo. I also decided against any jewelry or necklace on my neck, unlike Kahlo, who painted herself in a thorn-like necklace. When comparing my piece to Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital, I notice the similarity between having a physical tie to objects that are significant to our respective lives. Her ties are portrayed through a bright red string, mine, on the contrary, is portrayed through the curls in my hair. Kahlo's portrait also portrays her background as dirt ground and a skyline, unlike mine, which has a background of nature. My self-portrait was also created using acrylic paint, as opposed to Frida Kahlo's two self-portraits mentioned, which, were created using oil paint. While my self-portrait does not exactly align with one specific piece of inspiration from Frida Kahlo, I believe that my piece equally resembles both of her art pieces that influenced me. I used the background and organization of space from Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, and I used the idea and portrayal of significant objects from Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital.
Reflection
Upon reflection, I am generally satisfied with the finished product of my self-portrait. With a focus on the objects surrounding me in the painting, I believe I did well using acrylic paint to portray respective realisticity. While acrylic paint is not an easy medium to blend, the dry-blending technique I used helped to create a predominantly seamless look. I am pleased with the realisticness of specific objects, though. These include the Airpod, the mango, and the flower. I am super happy with the outcome of the hair in my self-portrait as well. I think I portrayed curly hair texture well. However, I am not as satisfied with the final result of my face in the painting, but I don't think my dissatisfaction was a result of rushing. I believe it was a result of a lack of skill in painting faces, which is something I now know to work on in the future. And contrary to my dissatisfaction, I personally believe that my self-portrait does resemble me. I am pleased with the similarity between my self-portrait and Frida Kahlo's pieces. Over time, I will continue to work on this piece as my skill continues to improve.
AcT connection
1.) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork:
I was inspired by two Frida Kahlo pieces, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, and Henry Ford Hospital. I took the background and organization of Kahlo's self-portrait and I took the idea of tying physical strings to objects one finds significant from Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital.
2.) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Frida Kahlo often took inspiration from her own experiences of trauma and painted her physical and mental pains in the form of art via oil paint on canvas.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have discovered that simple objects within art pieces can have a much deeper meaning and purpose than what meets the eye. For example, through research, I found that Kahlo's piece Henry Ford Hospital features six objects that are tied to her and each object was an important object she remembered during her time spent in the hospital during her miscarriage.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme surrounding my research on Frida Kahlo was pain within beauty.
5.) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
Some inferences I made during my research surround the portrayal of pain. While I did not include pain in this specific piece, I found that artists, like Frida Kahlo, use facial expression, blood, clothing, jewelry, and simple objects to depict the feeling of pain or sadness.
I was inspired by two Frida Kahlo pieces, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, and Henry Ford Hospital. I took the background and organization of Kahlo's self-portrait and I took the idea of tying physical strings to objects one finds significant from Kahlo's Henry Ford Hospital.
2.) What is the overall approach (point of view) the author (from your research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Frida Kahlo often took inspiration from her own experiences of trauma and painted her physical and mental pains in the form of art via oil paint on canvas.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I have discovered that simple objects within art pieces can have a much deeper meaning and purpose than what meets the eye. For example, through research, I found that Kahlo's piece Henry Ford Hospital features six objects that are tied to her and each object was an important object she remembered during her time spent in the hospital during her miscarriage.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme surrounding my research on Frida Kahlo was pain within beauty.
5.) What kind of inferences (conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning) did you make while reading your research?
Some inferences I made during my research surround the portrayal of pain. While I did not include pain in this specific piece, I found that artists, like Frida Kahlo, use facial expression, blood, clothing, jewelry, and simple objects to depict the feeling of pain or sadness.
Citations
- Art, Carter. “All about Henry Ford Hospital (the Flying Bed) by Frida Kahlo.” Carter Art, 27 Dec. 2021, www.carterart.art/article/all-about-henry-ford-hospital-the-flying-bed-by-frida-kahlo.
- “Frida Kahlo.” Frida Kahlo, 2006, www.fridakahlo.org/.
- “Frida Kahlo Biography | Life, Paintings, Influence on Art | Frida-Kahlo-Foundation.org.” Www.frida-Kahlo-Foundation.org, www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/biography.html#:~:text=Kahlo%20was%20deeply%20influenced%20by.
- FridaKahlo.org. “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940, by Frida Kahlo.” Henri Matisse, 2009, www.fridakahlo.org/self-portrait-with-thorn-necklace-and-hummingbird.jsp.