Self-Image

There is something about being young, really young, and still having a very positive image of oneself.  As parents, we all hope to provide our little ones with the necessary tools so they love themselves the way they are, with their special talents and their little flaws. We know too well that as we get older our own flaws become exaggerated by our personal experiences, our lack of self-esteem and often by our desire to achieve some abstract form of perfection given by the media. Sadly this distorted image of oneself we carry within us is too often far from the reality. Did you see the Dove test?
In art, self-portrait is one of the most common type of work, yet certainly one that is very challenging. "Draw what you see!" was saying my old drawing teacher at McGill, Gerry Tondino. The simple challenge of drawing what is in front of your eyes is then increased tenfolds when you stand in front of a mirror. Yet when Deborah gave my boys a paper, a pen and a mirror, and with a little guidance, they were able to draw the most lovable self-portraits ever!