11″ x 14″, Oil on Canvas
This painting is a continuation of a series of portrait oil paintings that I have done. The reason I started this series was because of my art teacher who first encouraged me to explore new things and try new mediums like oil paints. The meaning behind this comes from how easy and fast it is to take something like a quick selfie with the technology we have today as compared to the 25 hours that were put into this painting with the details, textures, and colors. A photo is the capture of just one passing second in the day. The point being made is that with technology today, including phones, less attention is given to real art all because of the conveniences that technology offers. I painted this self-portrait using one of my selfies as a reference. It displays a goofy and carefree face being made after a long day of school. The goal was to capture the expression but at the same time elevate the picture out of photo form and into a detailed oil painting in which art is prioritized over the ease of a quickly snapped photo.