An Abstract Self-Portrait?

I like challenges. As a result, I’m currently working on an abstract self-portrait. It all came about when my art group, Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists, came up with (another) self-portrait challenge. This one was to be inspired by another artist.

After some online searching and thought I decided on one of my favorite contemporary artists, Jane Davies.  She’s a painter and collage artist who does extraordinary abstract work.

Great, aren’t they? But, how do I make an abstract person? I remembered seeing one of her pieces (which I couldn’t find again,) that had a figure-like shape and I thought I could emulate that.

After creating an orange and red background, I auditioned the shape and placement of the figure with parchment paper.

And then, the fabrics.

I think it works pretty well. What do you think?

I’ll be adding a squiggly black line to this – again in the style of Jane Davies. I’m really enjoying working on this!

Ellen Lindner
P.S. Jane Davies has some excellent free tutorials and a great book about painting abstracts.