Day 5: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 5: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

January 5, 2013

Today's photo is about relaxing with my thoughts...for as long as I can remember, nothing soothes the soul the way a hot bath does...the difference between now & then...the soft light of candles and a glass of my favorite wine.  

Day 4: 365 self-portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

Day 4: 365 Self-Portraits of 2013 by Susan Komer

January 4, 2013

Today I was thinking back, drifting into old memories that always made me smile.  When I was growing up, my father & uncles all wore their hair greased back in tidal waves & duck tails; slicked back with grease, small plastic black combs in their back pockets to keep those looks fresh.  When I look back at old photos, those hairstyles have always brought a smile to my face...a different time, a different place...yet one I have always embraced in my mind and heart.

Today is a tribute to the men in my life...who at the time all seemed like tough boys: the first memories I have of self-expression in those early days when it wasn't so easily embraced by others...but likely where I've found the courage to always express myself as I am, continually falling away from the norms, coloring outside of the lines...free to be me.

Day 3: 365 self portraits by Susan Komer for 2013

Day 3: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer for 2013

January 3, 2013

For today's self-portrait I decided to choose a happy memory from my childhood.  As a little girl, my older siblings use to put on little plays for my younger brother & I by drawing little characters on their chins.  To honor fresh beginnings, I'm moving away from hurtful memories and learning to focus on the positive...this was definitely one of them!

Today I introduced my children to Felicia, my chin character, and we made a little video...the black & white is my portrait for today, but below you'll find a little extra as Felicia is quite the camera ham!

Felicia

Day 2: 365 self-portraits for 2013, by Susan Komer

Day 2: 365 self-portraits for 2013, by Susan Komer

January 2, 2013

After much thought and over 100 shots today, I decided on this photo as an expression of renewal and new beginnings.  A peeling away of the old...letting go of the useless, the dead and moving into a transformation of new thoughts and ideas.  I sit upon the lower step...a full stairway yet to climb...I will do so with a new outlook, fresh perspective, fresh self and firm determination...I hope...

Day 1: 365 self-portraits by Susan Komer for 2013

365 Self-portraits for 2013

For quite some time I've wanted to try to shoot a self-portrait each day of a full year.  A few days ago, a friend of mine completed a series of 52; one for each week of the year.  I thought, hmmm...this is doable...when I announced I'd like to try that, another friend informed me that he has done one a day for the past 15 years...yes...I said 15 years!  If he can do that, surely I can do a year!

So that is my challenge for the year...it doesn't seem like a difficult task, until you try it...it can be quite a humbling experience to fail at such an 'easy' task: I know, I've had this thought for years and am just now seriously taking on the challenge.  I've decided to blog each one as a way to also get serious with my efforts to keep this blog going and to try to create some sort of following for my work.

This first image is to represent a fresh start to this new year...washing away my own insecurities and moving ahead with a clean slate.  I encourage you all to leave comments &/ thoughts as constructive feedback is always a benefit to an artist.

Thanks for stopping by...Susan

A new paper mache project...

I have two passions that just straight up make me happy...photography & papier mache...thanks to a new camera remote that Santa brought me...now I can do both.

Below you'll find some shots of a work in progress.  Documentation of my work is also something I'm compulsive about...but I do leave certain things out: such as certain techniques that have taken me years to learn...as an artist, discovery is a huge part of the art...I wouldn't want to rob anyone of that fun....ENJOY!

This is one of those for fun type things, a friend challenged me...I've accepted the challenge!

Finished Plaster Pea Pod Sculpture

The Finished Pea Pod

So I have finished the pea pod...this piece holds such a piece of my heart & soul...  I had intended on writing up a full artist statement for the piece, but in truth; it just brings up so many emotions I don't think I really can and manage to do it justice.

If you're curious, you can read my past blogs on this piece...perhaps a time will come when I'll be able to actually put it all down in words, but that time isn't now.

What I will say is this...Marylou, Pam, Danny & Kevin...this one is for you...I love you

On a side note...the feet were added in a bit of a hurry....I plan to create two much more appropriate feet for this piece.  It has been suggested I submit this piece to the undergrad art show...I hope to follow through with that and hopefully you'll be seeing this piece displayed appropriately in a gallery or perhaps into a collection very soon!