How does one create a self-portrait that embodies all that one is? Well, one doesn't. One would have to create a book with pages and pages of images and descriptions! Trust me, if you saw how many hidden layers are in this project -- all the images I did not use -- you'd understand.I believe we are all a collection of experiences, thoughts, and emotions. We are our past memories, our present experiences, and our dreams for the future.
The meaning the images hold for me:
Ocean - The vastness of our power, our depth, our ability to change, the ripples we spread onto others' shores and their ripples that touch and affect us.
Reflection on the ocean - The reflection on the ocean represents all the experiences, emotions, and memories of people, animals, nature .. all that has touched me and all the ways in which I reflect that back to the world..
The road - Represents passage of time, traveling through life, choices made or yet to be made.
The glowing orb - The light shining thorough this globe invokes all the mysteries of life, the curiosity inside of me which always seeks more. Stories within unfolding, bursting forth with surprise. Some uplift and guide, some are dark and frightening.. others are playful and free. Passion, creativity, insight. Also, I've always enjoyed science fiction stories about visiting other worlds and cultures - this orb looks like a very friendly planet. :)
The home with the clock tower - Where dreams come alive, where one feels safe, a place for warm memories
Cliffs - The home sits on a cliff, and the winding road is on the edge of a cliff. I often had dreams of cliffs as a child, and below there would always be new worlds to explore. Some were lush jungles and felt inviting; some were deserts with volcanoes and felt hot and dangerous.
The clock streetlights - Also represents passage of time.
The ivy on the first clock streetlight - A touch of whimsy and joy!
The illustrations (flying deer and cougar with dragon wings) - my creative side and love of stories. These illustrations are in a book I wrote about learning to listen to what one already knows deep inside.
The puppy within the orb - Represents my very strong love of animals and how much I value their friendship.
All of the human images, except for one, are of myself at various ages. The image of a dancing girl is of my daughter. Dancing has always been one of my passions and gives me a feeling of freedom and of total engagement .. meaning that the world around disappears and there is only myself and the music.
The Dance of Life: The joy, the balancing, the turning of a possible miss step into a beautiful new creation. Witnessing this in myself, in my children, and in childlike adults - feeling set free to dance again and again.
The Dance with Others: The importance of bringing a smile to others' faces, whether a loved one or a stranger. Giving when it's least expected... making someone's day just a little bit easier. Encouraging people, lighting a pathway that they were unable to see before.
Details:
The project was made up of images I photographed or illustrated (two were created with the pen tool), except for the ones of myself as a child. I even took all of the photos of myself as an adult, either with a timer or a webcam. There are 20 separate images in this project.
The images I placed onto the photograph of the open book needed to be "shaped" so that they would follow the curve of the page. I used the warp transition tool.. it's not perfect, as each time I would move one part.. another would move! I'll practice with warp..I'm sure it's just something to get used to, like the pen tool.
The self-portrait prior to being split and put onto the book's pages:
Book Cover: Every book needs a cover!
