Thursday, November 6, 2008

Self portrait







If you were to pull together five to ten of your favorite items in your home, what would be included, which items would you choose? What is indicative of you? What have you carried with you everywhere you've traveled or lived? I was flipping through the Men's Vogue issue and saw a spread for one of the most curious art directors. Gathered on this spread were black and white photographs, a brass belt buckle, a travel book, diary, and camera, a horse's whip and a plaid riding cap. They were all photographed together, layered on a mahogany desk. It was sophisticated and attractive and a very intimate look into the things he holds dear. I could tell he loved to travel, he loved antiques and horses. I could tell he was an explorer with a sense of curiosity. I'm thinking that before the sun starts to disappear this weekend, I should gather some of my favorite items together and photograph them. A sort of self portrait! These images from Thuss Farrell are going to be used for inspiration. What would your self portrait contain?

37 comments:

heidi said...

What an inspiring post...This is going on my list of things to do. Thanks, dear Julia!

TIG said...

What a lovely idea! After having just composed a list of 9 of my favourite things for another blog, it would be interesting to see what sorts of things would make up my self portrait . . .

Cindy said...

you ALWAYS find the most beautiful photographs! i love this idea and hope you take those photos and show us your self-portrait. i might try it, too.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

interesting concept. I think I might have to give it a shot this weekend as well!

paula said...

my husband, my kiddos, hydrangeas from the back yard, my sewing machine, a wire basket, and a bible. that's me in a nut shell. talk about a great concept.

Callie Grayson said...

what a great post! lovely images!

i think I will pull my items and photograph them this weekend and post for you to see!

oh, yes that is my sassy, she is my lovey. that was when she was a puppy but her face still looks just like that.
callie

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I love these soft pinks! My self portrait would include dried flowers from the garden, my teacup, my ukulele, my paint brush, some old books, and a photo of my boo and I.

Sounds a lot like what I blog about. ;)

Sara Christine said...

What a lovely idea (and gorgeous photos!). I would start with the grubby white teddy bear I've carried with me everywhere since I was four. :)

Anonymous said...

I love the colors. So soothing to the eye.

please sir said...

Wow these are amazing, and what a wonderful idea. I can't wait to see yours! Hmm...I'll have to think about mine...

jae said...

Hmmmm....homework. I think this is a great project and wouldn't it be interesting to revisit it a year from now to be sure it still held true.

Karen said...

Once again, beautiful images.

I have so much "stuff" in my apartment and sometimes I long to sort through it all so I only have those "favorite items" surrounding me, and not the other things that just clutter it up. That might be a good challenge for the coming weeks and months :)

Anonymous said...

I love your photos! I really don't know what I'd have. This reminds me how I need to finish my inspiration board and post things I want in my life. Great post as usual!!!

Mrs.French said...

here's what I think...I think you should do that and then have folks do the same and give them to you as a feature for your blog...maybe weekly? just saying...
xo
t

Unknown said...

Lovely! And the link to Thuss/Farrell, staggering! Thanks for putting forth such a wonderful idea.

Samosas for One said...

Photographs, cardamom, journal, hmmm have to think of the rest

Suzanne : : S.HOPtalk said...

OOOOh such a wonderful thing to ponder...I want to give it some time to percolate.

Great project and I la la love your images.

i.d. said...

Oh wow, this is such a thoughtful post. I will definitely think long and hard about it. :)

Vana said...

You have just read my mind. As i was driving back from the open house (which kind of sucked, more on that via email) i was thinking of things that i hold dear to heart, and the way i display they around the house. Hate to say it but they are currently at a corner in my master bath, where the morning sun makes them appear more precious than ever.
Lovely post and great images.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this idea! I want to do this too; . . . you post is just so pretty.

yasmine said...

hm, aside from my husband and 4 pets--all the important pieces of artwork and first edition books. that's more than 10 though :P

Unknown said...

1. My computer
2. My art supplies
3. My artwork, adorning my walls
4. My jewelry, specifically my tarnished silver hoops from Tibet and my red coral cluster earrings from Sardinia. Oh! And my amber rings from San Francisco.
5. My linen pastel candy-colored striped scarves from Sorrento.
6. My black Dansko boots.
7. My favorite dark denim jeans.
8. My old calligraphy pens and nibs.
9. My handmade photo albums.
10. My favorite DVDs: Rick Steves Europe Collection, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Amelie, Absolutely Fabulous Collection, Kama Sutra, every season of Curb your Enthusiasm, Lost in Translation, all the old Sean Connery and Roger Moore Bond flicks, and Casino Royale. But of course.

Anonymous said...

i love this idea!!! i'd have to think a bit... camera collection, composition books, favorite tea cup, favorite coffee cup, edith piaf records, old family photos... needs more thought.

i'm with karen. i have way too much stuff and have been on a purging spree. i can keep this idea in mind to help myself along.

dee said...

That's a very cool concept and one I've actually thought about quite often. Mine would have to include my dogs and family. Is that allowed?!

dojski said...

I myself was wondering recently about 'definition'. It wasn't along the lines of the little things that I carry around wherever I go, but still, the thought was about what defined me as a person. I haven't found a statement of myself that I am perfectly comfortable with, but I hope I'd find it soon. Hehe.

Goodluck on your new idea. I hope it pushes thru. =)

Rachel said...

Amazing idea!

This post inspired me to do a similar project. I did three diptychs, two of which still have my face, but are otherwise my favorite objects. It's up on my blog, if you're curious.

I just stumbled upon your blog recently--love it!--and I live in Madison, too!

Leah said...

what a cool way of doing a self-portrait! i may have to give this a try, my dear!

Anonymous said...

These images are stunning and put me in the right mood. Thank you and thank you for all your wonderful sweet comments on my blog. They make my day!

Robin said...

I love this idea of trying to edit oneself down to a representative collection. What a great homework assignment!

picciolo said...

what a great idea, I love all of these images, the colours are beautiful, wonderful inspiration
: )

Anonymous said...

I came over from Creative Everyday where Leah mentioned your self-portrait idea, which I think is awesome. And I stopped dead - your photos are absolutely magical! I am so glad Leah linked to you! and I'm going to think about doing that self-portrait tho after looking at your photos I'm intimidated about putting them up! Is that soft focus something you do with the camera on with software?

Rowena said...

Awesome. I too came from creative everyday.

I wonder what I would choose? I am in a transitional phase so have let go of or have put into storage many of my favorite things. This is an interesting project...

Hmm. I need to think about this. Thanks for the great idea.

TesoriTrovati said...

I have discovered you from Creative Everyday blog (which I found from yet another blog...) I am inspired by your "self-portrait" and will keep coming back for more of your inspiration. I am from Plover WI but my heart belongs in Madison roaming State Street! Enjoy the day! Erin

Jul said...

Great idea! I played along on my art blog.

Jaimee McClellan said...

What fun...I'm contemplating the possibilities...???
If I owned those pretty shoes, they'd definitely be in my portrait!

Kerry Pitt-Hart said...

this is a really great idea. i might try it too. :)

Brown Button Trading said...

Oh I love these images, love your style!- thanks for commenting on my blog, led me to your awesome blog - LOVING red otter - ok if i add you to my blog roll? xx