That's a bit of a purposely sef-deprecatory sounding title. I too like the picture. But it is true that of all my paintings this was my mother's favorite. When I posted an Obamaicon of myself here, I had thought that was as close as I was likely to come to publishing a true likeness on the blog. I still do not plan to post a "real" photo here any time soon. But I guess my inhibition in www realm is diminishing with time. Recently, I used this painting, a self-portrait, on my Facebook profile page. There too I have not until now used a true-life photograph, new or or old.
I painted the self-portrait in 1996, a composite of two photographs that my husband took in a hillside restaurant in the Black Sea town of Varna, Bulgaria. One was a close up of me sitting at a table and the other a wide angle shot of the outdoor terrace of the restaurant. It was the summer of 1982 and this is a pretty good likeness of me from those days. Old friends and family recognize the subject readily. The youthful incarnation bears little resemblance to my older current self and I feel comfortable enough to post it here, still artfully managing to hide behind a cyber-burqa!
(click to enlarge)
I'm with your mother, Ruchira. I think this may be the best one I've yet seen. The color! It's the full spectrum, but all aglow. The composition! A tenuous balance of angles and curves. The finger! What is that gesture? I read it either as a statement of confidence and asserted agency ("I am here now.") or as an order to your husband ("Sudhir, put the camera away, sit down, and order lunch!"). Either way, it's very lovely.
Posted by: Dean C. Rowan | January 27, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Love it!
Posted by: Andrew R. | January 28, 2010 at 01:28 AM
i always have a strong desire to climb inside of your paintings and live in them. very, very beautful. the vibrancy of your colors and the dancing lines, always impressive.
you, ruchira, have a gift. i feel very lucky to know you and be able to catch these glimpses of your work.
Posted by: M | February 01, 2010 at 07:48 PM
There are scholarships for moms from WISP to help all mothers attend college. It has recently helped me when I didn't think I had a chance!
Posted by: Maryjo | March 22, 2010 at 12:24 PM
A picture that only a mother could love...
at first, the title suggests that it is a bad painting, but it is actually quite good, bad title, good paint ...
Posted by: lipozene | May 06, 2010 at 09:34 AM