Blast From The Past: Self Portrait

I can't believe I haven't shared this on my blog.  This self portrait of myself was the first time I felt I really proved that I could stand behind my work, defend it, and just truly love it. 

I was a senior in high school when I did this print.  Can you believe the stamps were made out of cardboard?  The process was quite simple, but labor intensive. 

The photo I used, my senior portrait.

Scan a photo into Photoshop and break it into 3 layers.  Print those out, grid out your cardboard and printout, then free hand draw your self portrait using the grid as your guide.  Cut out all those pieces and glue them on another piece of cardboard that has a grid (to make sure it all lines up properly).  Then roll on your paint to the first layer and print, complete with subsequent layers until done.

Very labor intensive.  Oh, did I mention, this piece is approximately 2 feet by 3 feet?!?  Huge!

The reason I stated earlier that I defended this piece is my art teacher did not want to submit my piece into a local art show.  It had to be sponsored by an art teacher to be entered.  He didn't believe it was good enough.  I thought it was and approached another art teacher in the school and sold him on submitting it.  I'm so glad that I did, because it took first place!!!  I won Best of Show, 2D Design, Ontario County, NY.