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ArtofAllenMorse — Nazarite with Hog Tooth

Published: 2013-05-31 21:10:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 1210; Favourites: 21; Downloads: 0
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Description Oil on canvas, 18" x 36"

Self-portrait at age 42. I paint a self-portrait every year so that I can gauge my progress as a painter. This is the one for this year.
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Comments: 11

berseh [2016-11-09 11:33:17 +0000 UTC]

Very good work indeed. Have you posted previous self-portraits? I'll check.May I ask why you disabled comments on some of your art?

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ArtofAllenMorse In reply to berseh [2016-11-10 17:37:15 +0000 UTC]

First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to look through my gallery, and comment on my work. It is much appreciated. 

To answer your questions:

I have only posted the self-portraits that you see here, unless there is something on my BlueCanvas account that I've simply forgotten (it's been a long time since I checked that site; maybe an update is warranted by now). I try to accomplish at least one self-portrait per year. The last two years have been disappointing in a lot of respects, not least my failure to produce any work of consequence. Prior to my earliest self-portrait here, the paintings were just really, really bad. "Self-Portrait at 40" is not anywhere the standard I've set for myself, but it was the very first painting in which I actually accomplished that "glow" in the flesh (most notably in the forehead, but the beard also demonstrates it nicely). I keep it there to remind myself to keep working, and because I was pretty proud of that technical achievement with the light. I'm self-taught, so every little victory is a big deal, at least in my head.

I disabled comments on the two pieces in question because they are duplicate postings. Rather than delete the duplicates (and remove them from people's favorites folders) I disabled comments, hoping to kinda keep them all in the same place.

And I should perhaps have posted on your page, but your work is very good. I could spend way too much time browsing, if I were a less disciplined person... thank you for sharing it.

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berseh In reply to ArtofAllenMorse [2016-11-10 22:21:51 +0000 UTC]

A self-taught, really? Then, you can be proud of yourself. I've had painters and sculptors, plasticians, wether conceptual or figuratives all my life including in my family so I know how dedicated an artist must be, how strenuous and discouraging progress can seem at times. Keep doing what you love to do. If I may give an opinion (even if i may not, I will ), don't leave oil, you have something for it. I'd like to see another portrait. Some woman or anybody you painted. Or a scene.

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ArtofAllenMorse In reply to berseh [2016-11-10 22:28:02 +0000 UTC]

I have a few in the queue, if only I could finish the rather discouraging commission I am currently committed to. Check back from time to time, I should have something for you soon.

And thank you very much for your encouragement and (welcome) advice.

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ArtofAllenMorse In reply to ArtofAllenMorse [2016-11-10 23:39:31 +0000 UTC]

I should clarify the, "discouraging commission," remark as it sounds both ungrateful and unprofessional. I recently got involved in one of those unfortunate lapses of judgement wherein I accepted a project from a close friend of a family member, in this case my first wife's best friend, who was very active in helping to raise my son. I call it a lapse of judgement because it is subject natter tgat I have spent two years trying to move away from, and I barely cgarged her enough to cover materials; unfortunate because due to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (the scars of which I am already well-decorated by) the project has run long over the time allotted.

I am always happy to take a commission when it is work that actually comes from a place of genuine feeling... and will put bread on the table.

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BillyNikoll [2015-03-05 11:02:09 +0000 UTC]

i love this!

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mtranquilli [2014-10-07 21:52:47 +0000 UTC]

Nice work! I really like the way you have painted the facial hair, it looks positively real!

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ArtofAllenMorse In reply to mtranquilli [2014-10-08 05:49:17 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

Now if only I could remember how I did it...

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miirex [2014-09-30 10:33:23 +0000 UTC]

Excellent job !

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wobblyselfies [2014-08-21 17:54:18 +0000 UTC]

The grimy colors are really cool o.O

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ArtofAllenMorse In reply to wobblyselfies [2014-08-22 01:34:12 +0000 UTC]

Thanks much

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