Mixed-Media Self Portraits Inspiration and Techniques

197 Pages·2013·11.166 MB·English

by  Cate Coulacos Prato

Mixed-Media
Self-Portraits
INSPIRATION & TECHNIQUES
CATE COULACOS PRATO
TO MY DAUGHTERS, OLIVIA AND MEREDITH:
“To thine own self be true.”
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I have to thank the artists who bared their souls for these self-
portrait projects. Clearly, without their talent, hard work, and enthusiasm, this book
would not have happened.
I would also like to thank my editors, Tricia Waddell and Darlene D’Agostino, for their
guidance and spirit of cooperation. And thanks to the incomparable Larry Stein, for his
photography, advice, and willingness to meet me mornings at the Dairy. My coworkers
at Quilting Arts Magazine and Cloth Paper Scissors also deserve my gratitude for
putting up with talk about “the book” for months.
I owe a special thanks to Patricia and John Bolton, who not only encouraged me to do
this book, but make it a pleasure and a privilege to come to work every day.
And finally, to my husband, Nick: for his appreciation of my work, for all he does to help
it happen, and mostly because he has always accepted me as I am and always
encouraged me to be my best self.

Introduction
Chapter 1:
It’s all About You: The Importance of the Artist’s Self-Portrait
The History of Self-Portraits
They Said It Themselves
Art Therapy
Therapeutic Self-Portraits Linda Edkins Wyatt
I Grew up in Bluebeard’s Castle Juliana Coles
Feel the Pain
Reflections on a Self-Portrait Cheryl Prater
My Body, Not Myself Loretta Benedetto Marvel
Aging Gracefully Allison Stilwell
Self-Portrait, 2007 Tracy Stilwell
Chapter 2:
Know Thyself: Taking the First Step Toward a Self-Portrait
Warm-Ups
Self-Portrait Exercises
Mirror, Mirror Kelli Perkins
Digital Self-Portraits Kimberly Montagnese
Focus on the Eyes Carol Kemp
Getting Started
Jump-Starting Your Work Katie Kendrick
Where Do Those Ideas Come From? Yvonne Porcella
Working Through It
Self-Portrait Sketchbook Meanderings Donna Anderson
Chapter 3:
Reveal Yourself: Hands-On Instructions for Creating Self-Portraits
Exploring Roles
Self-Discovery Through Journal Dolls Kelli Perkins
Capturing a Life in Progress
Where Have I Been?
Where am I Going? Kelly Rae Roberts
Documenting a Year
1967: My Year, Myself