It has been a long time since I managed to sit down and do an art project. With my work and study schedule, on top of everything else, it’s just nearly impossible. So, when the students from my Expressive Arts unit were asked to do an art project for the Visual Arts Strand of my Master of Teaching programme, I jumped at the opportunity.
I thought it was a great time to get in to art-making once again, and to explore some ideas that I wanted to work with for a while now.
Since the art project was pretty open-ended, it was a challenge to decide on a particular idea. How do I choose from all the things that I want to do – but don’t have the time to get in to?
Well, I decided not to fret for too long. It’s counter-productive when you over-analyse these things sometimes. So, when I remembered this book that I bought late last year called: Mixed Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration and Techniques by Cate Coulacos Prato, I decided there and then to do a self-portraiture project.
The idea to work with self-portraiture was also inspired by:
1. the knowledge that children tend to want to make self-portraits when they first start to draw and paint, so I thought that this was very apt, seeing as I’m thinking of getting in to primary school teaching;
2. my initial involvement in the 365 project last year (2008);
3. my growing interest in learning more about the role of self-portraiture in art (think Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, etc);
4. a huge emphasis on self-analysis/introspection, as I enter this world of education, as well as all these life-changing events.
As you can see here, I’ve tried to incorporate all sorts of techniques and elements in this project. Most of them are new to me, including: “thread painting” (using sewing to paint pictures), drawing and printing photography on transparencies, playing with shadow/light boxing. Hopefully, you can see the effect of the shadows/lights play in the photos that I share here.
In any case, while I definitely got a lot of inspiration and ideas from the book that I read (especially on thread painting and drawing a self-portrait on transparencies), I discovered a few of the techniques that I used here by accident. I guess, that’s why I’m quite excited about it all. And, I can’t wait to keep trying different ways to apply those discoveries.
Now, if only I can find another excuse to make more art! 
Kari (3)
Mitch Mitchell (3)
Connie (2)
eds (2)
Rachel Cotterill (2)
Anne (1)
bcylady (1)
Jazzille (1)
macy (1)
Mel W (1)
Shai, not only do I love your self-portrait, but it’s so gratifying to me that you were inspired by the artwork and techniques in my book. Mostly, I’m thrilled that you took what you learned from the book, added your own twists, and made it completely your own. That was exactly the goal of the book. Thanks for the shout-out, and I can’t wait to see what your students create.
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Hi, Cate! Wow. What a wonderful surprise to see your comment on this post. Thank you so much for taking the time. And, thanks for the very kind words. I’m glad you liked the product of my inspiration from your book. You did a great job there. I’m more than happy to recommend it!
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I just love the buttons! Turnout out wonderfully! I would love to do an assignment like that also
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Via reply on April 11th, 2009:
Hi Shai! Yes we do ship Tech Totes overseas. Just write us for your inquiries. We accept PayPal payments.
Cool project above by the way! 
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Thanks, Kari! I’m pretty sure you’ll do a great job with such assignments. Do keep us posted. I’d love to see it!
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I just love your project. Looks like it was so much fun.
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Hi, Heather. Thanks for the kind words and the greetings.
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Oh, and happy birthday for today, too.
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Happy birthday, Shai! I know this greeting is kinda late. I hope you’re still having a great time with your loved ones. Here’s to more years of creative geeky living!
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Aw, thanks for remembering and for taking the time to greet me, Connie. Take care!
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Hey Shai,
1st time on this blog : )) amazing work. How much time spent on it?
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Shai Coggins reply on May 21st, 2009:
Hi, Grace. Thanks. Hope that wasn’t the last visit too.
In terms of time spent on the project: That’s always a tough question to answer because I’m not sure where to start counting the time — from conceptualisation, from training to understand the concepts, from reading books, or just the actual making? So, I find it really tricky.
The actual making of the project – around 3 hours or so.
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