The first two are from 1979, when I was in Graduate school at Indiana University - at the time I was trying to use line and shape in an interesting way but still trying to make the portraits appear naturalistic. There is always the challenge of proving to yourself and others that you really CAN draw. Because figure painting is very difficult. However, I also really didn't know what I wanted the figures to look like in context of what my skills and interests were. ​The second two from the early 80's when I was in NYC play with light, particularly with having light from below.

​There are always two reasons to do self portraits - the first - the self is always about and an available model. But, also, there is no getting away from the idea of exploring what it means to be a 'me'.