THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605090216
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
I've always contended that it's best when you have a confession to make, or when your head is going on the chopping block, to say or do it swiftly.
So in case you haven't heard already, I will be judging the self-portrait show sponsored by the Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head. Joining me as judges are two others active in the local art community, Jill Bennett and Kerry Oaksmith Sanders.
I cautiously broached the subject of my judging to a couple of people, and the reaction was varied. One friend looked incredulous, expressing concern because I know so many artists.
Another shrugged and said, ``Good.''
When I told some folks that I might write a story explaining how I intend to go about the process, one gentleman said that I don't have to explain anything because I'm a professional in the field and that's why I was chosen.
Nice man.
The thing he didn't know was that I was raised a Catholic, and Catholics have been explaining their behavior since they first entered the confessional at a tender age.
We were also taught to love our enemies, and we all know that you make plenty of them when you judge a show - at least temporary ones.
So I thought if I explained it all first, I could soften the blow. And maybe the entrants wouldn't hate me so much, and I wouldn't have to work so hard at being a good Catholic.
In all seriousness, I am excited to be judging this show, because the self-portrait is so near and dear to me.
When I was in college, I painted little else. Portrait painting was my forte, and since I hated to paint from photographs and was virtually broke all the time and couldn't afford to hire a model, the self-portrait was a feasible compromise.
Besides, the desire to paint could come at any hour, and I was always right there. All I had to do was prop up a mirror and begin work.
I have many self-portraits still cluttering
the attic; no one wants to purchase strange faces in multicolored hues.
Since they were done in a mirror, they all have the telltale hard stare - not a pleasant, sweet, or just-right-for-the-living-room look.
While I thought they were beautiful because of their intensity, most folks were repulsed by the expressionistic style that one of my professors compared to Soutine.
Remarks like: ``You don't think very much of yourself,'' or ``You're much prettier than that,'' were common. When I found someone who appreciated my effort, I loved that person instantly.
Self-portraits are so personal. They can be photo-realistic paintings, surrealistic images or even a collection of objects that the artist identifies closely with.
Some artists labor for months on their art. Others produce an alla prima endeavor, where you capture the essence of yourself in one sitting. This was my choice of methods. Rarely did I go back into the work.
In some cases, the self-portrait is the only image modern-day historians have of artists who thrived before photographs became a reality.
Whatever genre the artist chooses, the self-portrait avenue usually leads to intense and revealing works.
As far as my criteria for judging, I've decided to pick what I like, plain and simple.
No, I'm just kidding - but I have decided to keep my judging methods to myself.
I'll save them for the confessional. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Glenn Eure of the Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head holds
``Supression'' a self-portrait by Roberta Adams.
by CNB