January 10, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday: Personal History

I knew I had earlier photos of myself lying around and this is one of my favourites. I think I am about 6 months old in this photo and this is my grandad, on my moms side.

My grandad was a very important part of my life and was always there for me. In some ways I think my brother and I were his favourites. Maybe part of the reason was that he helped raise us for a number of years after my parents seperated (when I was about 6ish I think). Me, my brother and my mom lived with him for about 5 or 6 years. Even when we moved my grandad still made my lunch for me during school time, every day until I was 16! Only now do I realise how I took him for granted, just being there for us and wish that I could go back and tell him how much he meant to me.

He was a real character my grandad. He visits me often in my dreams. I miss him a lot.

The other image was something I was working on but never really finished. I want to use this image along with things that remind me of him, like his roses and hydrangea - I have very fond memories of my grandads garden. I was going to screenprint something of this effect but never got it how I wanted it, maybe I will revisit it sometime.

Posted by Maxine at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)

January 03, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday: Personal History

Firstly I would just like to say Happy New Year to everyone! I haven't posted in a while partly because Christmas lethargy set in and partly due to having a very bad cold and feeling very sorry for myself!

I was going to approach this months challenge chronologically (who knows, I sitll might!) but as usual I don't seem to be able to lay my hands on any earlier photographs of myself than this. Most of them are in England with my mom but I do have a few here and so if I find them they just have to go up out of order.

I'm not sure how old I am here, but there are many photographs like this in existence - me posing with my 2 years younger brother Chris. I can't ever remember not having a fringe when I was younger, my mom always cut our hair. All I know is that since I was able to make the decision for myself I opted out of the fringe look, in fact I can even say that I am positively scared of them now. Is there such a thing as a fringe phobia? Even if the worlds top hairdresser promised to make me look fantastic with a fringe I couldn't do it!

Posted by Maxine at 08:53 PM | Comments (1)

December 20, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Reflective Surface

This is me looking into one of my favourite cupboards - the one containing the mugs which hold my many cups of tea. A while ago I switched to decaf cause I drink that many cups of tea in the day (honestly it is a LOT) that I thought maybe it would be healthier if I cut down on the caffeine intake. I know its not quite as bad as coffee but since the changeover I have definitely had more energy (which says a lot cause I am still tired most of the time!!).

Posted by Maxine at 11:08 AM | Comments (2)

December 06, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Reflective Surface

This months topic is 'reflective surface'. This is me at work (well 'at home - at work' if you know what I mean). It reminds me a little of my lomo pics (I must pick up my camera and take some this Christmas! I also have a film that's been siting around waiting to be developed for ages).

For some reason I also find this image a little creepy, hmmm. Maybe its the fact that coincidentally the viewfinder and the flash windows on the camera look like my nostrils. Strange indeed!

Posted by Maxine at 09:54 AM | Comments (4)

November 22, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Identity

There I was, sitting on the floor with my daughter enjoying a smoothie, when I looked down at the packaging.

Innocent.

How completely opposite Emily and I are in this respect. Of course maybe we would like to think we somehow retain a fragment of innocence when we get older, but I fear this is only a vague hope. We are all guilty of something. That may be as small and insignificant as, not washing out a can to be put in the recycling and instead lazily throwing it in the rubbish bin (hmm yes I did that the other day). Or it may be something deep within ourselves.

This is what makes our children so pure. No-one other than them can have this quality and it is what keeps them smiling and laughing and oblivious to the world as it really is. As it will be for them too someday. We can only protect them for so long.

This has been an impromptu and thought provoking SPT. Its funny how doing something so routine as drinking can lead onto other thoughts

Posted by Maxine at 06:07 PM | Comments (1)

November 15, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Identity

I haven't posted an SPT in a while so I thought I would make the effort today. This months theme of 'exploration of identity' is an interesting one. I could approach this in so many ways, especially as I think I am currently having an identity crisis, never knowing what to wear and disliking everything in my wardrobe. This happens to us all from time to time.

But this week I am so totally overwhelmed by Emily. The cuteness, the naughtiness, the incessant chatter and repeating of things over and over, the story telling and new sayings she comes out with. The list goes on. I also have a love of all things stripey. If everyone was made to wear stripey socks the world would be a happier place, I am sure of it.

Posted by Maxine at 10:31 AM | Comments (1)

October 18, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Self Documentary

Today I woke up feeling yuck. So I am amazed I managed to do do spt this week, let alone crafting with Emily!

Posted by Maxine at 05:56 PM | Comments (2)

October 11, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Self Documentary

Ok, so last week I completely missed the point and instead of doing a self-documentary series of three images I did just the one. Sorry about that. This week I have got it right!

I am realising more and more that I am a total hoarder and that hoarding is not always good. Every morning I look in my wardrobe and have the 'what shall I wear' dilemma. It seems on first glance that I have tons to choose from, but really it is years of clothing clutter that I can't bring myself to get rid of. I don't know why I have a problem with letting go of stuff, some kind of irrational fear I guess.

So today I decided to do a wardrobe experiment. This involves clearing as much stuff out as I can bear and putting it away somewhere. If I don't think about it in the next few months it is going to charity. I desperately need to clear the clutter from my life, in the hope that I will instil some peace and tranquility (difficult with a 2 year old but you can but try).

Posted by Maxine at 01:27 PM | Comments (1)

October 04, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Self Documentary

If there is one thing you should know about me, its my total tea addiction. The first thing I do in the morning is get myself a big cup of tea. The only one saving grace is that I have now switched to decaf, so I don't feel so bad about my consumption levels.

Taking part in Self Portrait Tuesday has made me think about my Lomo. I haven't taken any photos in a good while now, I must get back into it.

You can see some of my Lomo pics on the Lomography site or Lomoisland.

Posted by Maxine at 10:16 AM | Comments (1)

September 27, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Body Parts

In a hurry.

Posted by Maxine at 08:17 PM | Comments (1)

September 20, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday: Body Parts

You can't beat pink shoes.

Posted by Maxine at 03:01 PM | Comments (2)

September 13, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday

I have been toying with the idea of joining in with self portrait Tuesday for a while now. A lot of other blogs that I read take part and I am not exactly sure where the idea originates. I first became aware of it through Angry Chicken.

So here is my first portrait. Nothing illustrates my day like rolling around, having fun with my almost 2 year old daughter, Emily.

Posted by Maxine at 02:13 PM | Comments (1)