Self Portrait

It's been a long time since I took the time to draw myself.  But it started out as a portrait of who I am through the things I like and then ended up adding my self to the image.

First the tree.
I love trees so much that I spend an entire semester in art school drawing a painting them.  I love being in the shade of a big tree and wondering around in the coolness of a forested area.  I love how trees grow and change through out the year and the life force they are and how important they are to this planet.  I dream of someday hiking through the amazon rainforest.  So the tree was the biggest most significant part of my image.

Then the bike.
Ever since I sat down on my first radio flyer red tricycle I was in love with the freedom of biking. I taught myself how to ride without training wheels in secret on my oldest sisters bike around the garage when my parents were not home.  I would race all over the neighborhood with the big kids riding like the wind.  Even now as an adult the joy of riding is not lost.  My husband got me a mountain bike when we were dating and it lasted until our move to London.  It wasn't until a few years ago my husband surprised me with a new bike that was perfect for my little outings to Starbucks and light shopping.  So I had to draw in my teal Specialized Roll.

The clouds.
I spent many happy hours as a child with my good friend and next door neighbor Jason, staring into the sky watching the clouds drift by and change shapes.  It was then that I first felt comfortable with someone else without having to talk but just enjoy the moment.  I still gaze at the clouds with my husband and kids.  On long trips to Colorado to visit my family we amuse ourselves with the shapes.  But we still take time to lay down on the grass to watch the world drift peacefully by.

The grass.
I hae seasonal allergies but that doesn't stop me from loving a cool soft blanket of grass and wild flowers.  laying there you can see little special things like four leaf clovers, ladybugs, and rollie pollies.  There is nothing more relaxing and mediative laying down and having your skin touch nature in a peaceful way.

Me.
Like I mentioned above, I wasn't intending to put myself in the image, just things that I love.  But there was space and I had the time.  I put myself lower than the things I love as I feel they reflect me more than my appearance so there for a far more important to the image.

Finally the bird.
I love birds.  I love how they fly, sing and move about the world.  I put birds in so many pieces of my art.  I have named my company Remarkable Bird for that reason.  Birds are remarkable.

A piece of reflection.  Take time.  Your time is your own.  Do what you love and be a reflection of that love.