Day 176

Self-Portrait in Winter, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2012 Kathleen Coy

NFS

This is the first self-portrait I've painted. I've thought of doing one several times over the years, but now in light of all of the "mugshots" I've been painting, I decided it was high time to give it a shot. I used brushwork for the face, and palette knife for the hair, background and the coat. I really like the combination of smooth brushstrokes with the textured knife work.

It was a rather strange experience - like looking into a mirror for 6 hours. It makes me realize I should be open to painting more self-portraits, because we know our own face better than anyone else's, and we always see ourselves differently than other people see us, and wouldn't that be interesting to explore..? Hmmm...

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and thanks for following along - it's been a helluva year to say the least! I started my painting-a-day project in April, and to date have painted 176 daily paintings, plus 21 additional paintings (mainly commissions and larger works) this year. As my style developed, I felt confident enough to enter, and go on to win, the small works show at the Edward Hopper house in New York - a huge honor! I studied for a week with the incredible Karin Jurick at Hilton Head Island, and had a painting accepted into the Randy Higbee Gallery small works show in Costa Mesa, California this december, where my entry was purchased by one of their collectors. To top it all off, 66 of my paintings have sold in 2012. I feel incredibly blessed.

To my friends, family, and supporters, your encouragement and kind words have meant the world, and help keep me going on days when the workload feels overwhelming. Your understanding of how focused I’ve had to be this year is much appreciated. It’s been a very stressful year in some ways, but it’s also been the best year of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, and I wish for a year of beauty, creativity, inspiration and joy for us all in 2013.