"Gully" acrylic on wood panel (plywood, uncradled), 18" x 14".  Available here and at Artfinder.

​They cut out her heart, and they left her dead, in a gully, for the forest to swallow.   - Neil Gaiman, Snow, Glass, Apples

​In preparation for the coming month of seascapes with the amazing Pauline Agnew, (I know, I know, Pauline Agnew this and Pauline Agnew that...what can I say?  The woman is that good) I decided to work on a large self-portrait of sorts and get the figure out of my system for a bit (as if that's possible).  Still focused on capturing emotion, which isn't always smiles and malarkey. 

Simultaneously, I received my copy of the Neil Gaiman graphic novel adaptation of Snow White and was gobsmacked by the art, the twist on the story and the depth of emotion captured in the book.  Perfect timing for an angsty portrait and a week of feeling a bit stuck in the gully.

This piece began as a paint over - a little green gold mixed with gesso over what was a very dark painting.  The odd geometric shapes of the gesso underpainting were an interesting way to begin.  Continuing with paint pens and more gesso, creating a form to be inhabited by the portrait.  Many layers of acrylic paint and acrylic paint mixed with medium for glazing.

And now that this one is finished, I can spend a month by the sea (well, kind of sort of) with my toes in the salt water...or, erm, paint. :)