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Schaefer Portrait Challenge V (2015)
The Yawn (Self Portrait)
Mike Carroll's self-portrait "The Yawn" was juried into the prestigious Schaefer Portrait Challenge at the Schaefer International Gallery, Maui Arts and Cultural Center. The exhibition ran from January 13 - March 22, 2015.
"The Yawn"
I haven’t painted a self-portrait since my graduate school days 35 years ago. I figured it was about time, but what would be the pose? “Proud” with a palette and brushes and my head held high? “Thoughtful” with chin in hand and a serious gaze? Those contrived compositions do nothing for me. So I sat down, looked in the mirror for inspiration…and yawned.
That got me thinking about how contagious yawning is. I wondered if a self-portrait of me yawning might make the viewer yawn, too. So I decided the portrait should be just as much about the viewer as it is about me. That meant the proud and thoughtful poses were ditched in favor of a fun and engaging approach. I hope looking at this portrait makes you smile…and then yawn.
