The art of creating an Abstract Self Portrait

Today, I'm excited to share with you a self-portrait series I've been working on. Despite the illusion that art comes effortlessly, the reality is quite different. I'll open up about the hurdles I'm facing right now, and I'd love to hear about your own struggles too. So tune in, let's chat and connect over the ups and downs of the creative journey!

Each week, I share tips, tricks, advice, and inspiration to help you take your art to the next level.

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[Jojomoon]

This was so moving, I am severely sight impaired and registered blind, I cannot see faces very well at all. They are distorted, unfocused, no details really, just light and shade. I wanted to find a way to express my journey of sight loss over the last 1% years through art and you’ve shone a light that I think I might be able to follow. So inspiring listening to you. Thank you

[bobwiegers]

thank you for sharing your process. very inspiring and helpful

[cathyfreeman]

Love this video for numerous reasons. Thankyou for sharing it. Cheers

[andreaharley]

Thankyou louise, its great to have a good idea of where to start as ive never done any kind of portraits, now im raring to go. ❤🙂🙂🙂

[yopestevens]

There's no doubt something BIG inside of you looking for a way out. I can't imagine the introspection and life-review that must be going on while you paint. For me, it would be completely overwhelming and I would be painting thru my tears - no need for squinting, ha ha. You are a brave soul to do it, because I feel this is much more for you than the words "self-portrait" can convey. To me, each of your iterations is beautiful in it's own way, the one with a little girl at your chin (bottom right) really spoke to me. Perhaps she spoke to you as well...the next iteration had a rather angry swath of blue to cover her up! Thank you for sharing your journey, and may your sunshine soon return!

[denisegrossman]

Incredible progressions, it seems like a lot of deep inner work. Very moving and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. 🙏

[kerrieb]

Oooh such a wonderful process, lovely to see. Thankyou for sharing.

[jomassey]

Really insightful and difficult to do.
Ive never tried a blind self portrait and can see the huge emotional changes that a person goes through during a short period.
I look forward to seeing your next few paintings and hear what you think.
Really made me think about the human condition.
Thank you, Jo Massey.

[kvadams]

I showed up today to my art for the first time in forever. I did a self portrait after watching your video and as I added, smudged, and somewhat subtracted paint it turned into a very young version of someone who looks nothing like i did, but it doesn’t need to as the importance of what’s appeared has been seen and recognised. Thank you Louise.

[mixedmedialife]

This is the most interesting and inspiring self portrait vid I've ever seen 😮. I thought the last iteration was absolutely fantastic! I'm not yet brave enough to give this a go, never mind posting it online!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[tatianasavchenko]

Thank you, Louise, your video inspired me to draw the first oil pastel sketch of my self-portrait and I discovered so many signs and ideas in it. It seemed to me that your self-portrait is like an attempt to figure out what is stopping you in your creativity and an attempt to enter or return to this carefree state of childhood, when everything is created easily, joyfully and playfully.

[catholictortillas]

I have also been doing self-portraits!. I have been feeling a lot and thinking of different ages also at times. Love your ideas and paintings!

[MaureenMo]

Every change brought out something I really liked. I hoped. you wouldn't change it anymore. But when you did, I liked it as well. Mad skills!

[amandagordon]

thank you for bearing your soul and showing us different aspects of you

[kateveneroso]

You again have posted a exceedingly helpful video! What a useful intuitive process. I find myself always checking your work/videos, craving the inspirational content, process of a particular piece. WOW!!!! You never disappoint! I work the same way, taking a few half hours to come back to an image, so I can see the piece in a new light. Often I go and work on another image. I so like this image. You do not wish clarity as we all have a bit mystery which is part of ourselves, that part we ourself know as our mystery, which being alive makes us all encounter and go into the hidden country of self. Thank you, you are a hero of mine! Thanks again! 😊

[sarawelder]

It is so helpful to be reminded that it doesn't come easily even when you have been painting for so long.What I took away from this is ; don't give up...persevere.

[BeverlyMcanulty]

I understand that you were drawing blindly, but when you added the paint did you look at what you had done or was this done blindly also? I love these. I want to thank you for sharing Art2Life which I joined this year.

[kristih]

I love your self portraits, Louise! Thanks for sharing your process. I can't wait to try it out!

[keldaycreativeart]

Thank you Louise for sharing your process. I loved seeing the change in expressions throughout your work. I have never created a self portrait. You have inspired me to have a go at this. Goodness knows what will happen but I like the idea of being surprised.

[arlierichards]

Always grateful for your videos. This one in particular as I am nearing the point of painting again. I dabble now and again but finally healing enough to rejoin life and my creativity. Your videos are such an encouragement.