Self portrait

[Carlos Ygoa]

Heidi,
I have always wondered why people (clients or others) are always reluctant to accept an expression on a face that is other than happy or smiling. Sad solemn or serious are always "taboo", like as if they were not part of the human reality. For me at least, the greatest portraits (in the truest sense of the word) in the history of art do not have smiles on them.

Bravo that you have made a piece because that is the way you wanted it to look! And the second one is fine as well. The technical level on both is, as usual, number one. Congratulations.

[Michele Rushworth]

I think they make a nice pair, to be displayed together. I once saw a painted double self portrait showing different aspects of an artist's personality and she titled it "The Real Me". The viewer was left to decide which one was the "real" one.

I also agree that these are possibly the most compelling of your sculptures I have seen to date. Very alive.

[Chris Saper]

Heidi,

They are both wonderful, (in addition to being stunning likenesses), and I love the idea of displaying them together. Doing so will certainly give your clients a feel for the narrative and mood possibilities. In fact, try to get EVERYONE to commission two

[Heidi Maiers]

Thank you for your comments Claudmir, Carlos, Michele, and Chris. Funny how most people will prefer a happy expression for their home, but as you point out Carlos, some of the most notable sculptures in history are anything but happy.
I think I've come to the point as a portrait artist, when I'm tired of "pleasant" on most every face. There are so many interesting and provocative emotions that can be displayed on a human face. My least favorite to see is a big grin with teeth on a sculpture. That really creeps me out in fact.
Chris, since you have seen me in person, I'll take that compliment - thanks! And that is an excellent marketing suggestion! Everyone has a range of expressions - why should anyone settle for being imortalized with just one?

[Alexandra Tyng]

Heidi, I think you should enter this in a competition.

[Heidi Maiers]

I may give that a try for the fun of it Alexandra - if I ever finish this, that is. Have any suggestions?

Here's where I left off on the "happy" version a while ago. I haven't been sculpting at all lately. I think I will just mold it as-is since it is at about the same stage as the one that will be mounted with it, and I already have the base made.

This has been a downer of a month. After several (4) unsuccessful attempts at minimally invasive surgeries in the past 5 weeks, this Thursday my husband will undergo a quadruple bypass and aortic heart valve replacement operation. This does not make me very happy. Hopefully, he will pull through and feel better than ever in 2007. I had better start sculpting again to pay those medical bills!!

[Mike McCarty]

Heidi,

Best wishes for the new year, and for a successful and speedy recovery.

Keep mashin that clay.