A Fool's Pharmakon

These are some progress photos of my first attempt painting a self portrait. It is acrylic, on a thick watercolor paper, taped to the mirror which I sat in front of for two days.

Everybody tells me I look miserable.
I tell them, you try smiling at your self for ten hours.

Also, I enjoy the weariness in those eyes. It's a really honest picture, and I found the liquid medium capable of expressing the subtle innuendos, the curlicues of doubt, embedded in my reflection. Totally different from ink, pencil or pastel.

I have previously been intimidated by paint. It seemed beyond me. Now there is a fresh anticipation, perhaps it will be a future ally after all.