I have a large-ish framed picture of myself from my wedding portrait sitting. I have no idea where to hang it so it's leaning against a wall behind a door in my bedroom. Where do you put something like that without looking totally narcissistic?
I need to commission a bare belly maternity portrait, NAO. Maybe Salma's guy can call me.
@hfree: OK, someone needs to write a journal article on reverse patronage systems and contemporary art, like when the billionaire wife of the president of Univision calls and is like, "I would like to paint your portrait!" And you're like, "Uhhh, OK." And then she's like, "Normally I get paid $12k, but since we are friends you can just give it to charity."
I guess the requirement that starlets wear Marchesa falls into that category.
To Sadies EX: Please please please take a photo of said portrait and send it to Sadie ASAP so she can post it here and we can all see it...c'mon, you know you want to.
We won't judge you and your potential level of creepiness. promise.
I read the full article and I kind of love it. George Hamilton is f-ing awesome:
One happy result of having a gigantic portrait of himself is that he can tell, depending on how people react to it, whether they will become friends.
"I got the joke before I was the joke," he said. "The people who don't get it, the portrait on the wall, well, they don't respond, on purpose. If the person thinks that is normal, then I think, Eww. We are not going to get along."
I don't know, I guess overall I think just because we have photography doesn't mean portraiture has to end. I for one like old portraits, and kinda like new ones. Plus I have a pink unicorn tattoo and I can totally relate to George on that one.
I think it takes a special kind of narcissism to commission-and then display- a giant portrait of oneself. It's like people who have mirrors everywhere but not because it looks cool and adds visual space, but because they really enjoy looking at themselves. I guess I can see having portraits done of your children, or maybe your house or boat or pets or whatever. And I like having photos of me and the Mr. around, but they're not huge and they're not, like, focal points or anything. I'm as vain as anything, because I have low self-esteem if that makes sense, but displaying photos of loved ones is more for my own enjoyment rather than to show off. Which is what these paintings seem to be made for. I want some nice black-and-whites, someday. And I've committed myself to hire the best weddin' photographer I can find, even if we just get married in our yard or something. Because I have seen some REALLY badass weddin' pix, and I've also seen some REALLY just bad ones. That is something to be commemorated, I think. And baby pictures. But a giant oil painting of me? No. I look greasy enough in real life, thank you. And I am NOT photogenic. It would be awful.
Is that...actually supposed to be a picture of her? I could do better with Deviantart and some fingerpaints. Fuck, it's like someone shat all over a Paint-by-Numbers kit. Good god that is terrible.
That painting reminds me of the photo my daughter had done when she was 9 months pregnant. It is beautiful. I wish I'd thought to do the same when I was pregnant with my children, 20+ years ago.
Kids today. They think of everything.
I don't find the image above of Selma that bad. Definitely not Kenny Rogers-painting bad.
OK, I have a nude portrait of myself, from when I modeled for art classes in college. I bought if off the kid who painted it. It's at my parents house since I don't have any way to transport it 5 hours to my apartment in my little car.
Maybe it's weird. I dunno. When I'm all old and wrinkly it might be cool to look at my hot naked college self.
I want to do this. Have a GIANT painting done of myself in some ridiculous setting - like riding the back of a white tiger or standing on a jetty in a flowing gown with water splashing up around me - and then hang it in the bathroom.
It would crack me up every day, but I have a feeling others might not get the joke and label me a really odd narcissist (who puts a portrait of themselves in the bathroom?!).
@Cattivella: @Fatwetdog: All of these ideas are awesome and you should act on them. If I went into someone's bathroom and saw a painting of them riding a tiger I would be envious of them.
I'm personally going to commission a black velvet "Zodiac Sex Positions" painting with me and different women I've slept with. But I'll have the big 70's afro version.
I don't know. If people are hiring themselves out as portrait painters, it's not exactly a slaving away scenario. Presumably, they like it -- isn't that why most people paint?
Additionally, I'm sorry, if I was one of the hottest people alive (Salma), I would so have my portrait painted. A million times. Before I got old -- at which point I'd do it another million.
I guess I think the NYT has written about a lot stupider, more ridiculously indulgent acts by rich people.
@rocknrollunicorn: yeah I mean, I'm sure the artist is getting paid a lot of money and is grateful for the business. its not my taste but...to each their own. it doesn't hurt anyone.
I don't get the artisan slave angle. If you're a portrait painter, don't you look for people who want to have their portrait painted. Bonus if they want to pay you!
I think any portrait of yourself should go in a closet for 20 years. Then you can take it out.
02/19/09
I need to commission a bare belly maternity portrait, NAO. Maybe Salma's guy can call me.
02/19/09
Then again, I work in a museum full of portraits. If rich people don't get (good) portraits done, what will fill the museums of tomorrow?
02/19/09
I guess the requirement that starlets wear Marchesa falls into that category.
02/20/09
02/19/09
We won't judge you and your potential level of creepiness. promise.
02/19/09
One happy result of having a gigantic portrait of himself is that he can tell, depending on how people react to it, whether they will become friends.
"I got the joke before I was the joke," he said. "The people who don't get it, the portrait on the wall, well, they don't respond, on purpose. If the person thinks that is normal, then I think, Eww. We are not going to get along."
I don't know, I guess overall I think just because we have photography doesn't mean portraiture has to end. I for one like old portraits, and kinda like new ones. Plus I have a pink unicorn tattoo and I can totally relate to George on that one.
02/19/09
02/19/09
02/19/09
02/19/09
Kids today. They think of everything.
I don't find the image above of Selma that bad. Definitely not Kenny Rogers-painting bad.
02/19/09
Also, I too think the pregnant photos are awesome. I plan on having some done if/when I'm pregnant. Nice black-and-white ones. I like that idea.
02/19/09
Maybe it's weird. I dunno. When I'm all old and wrinkly it might be cool to look at my hot naked college self.
02/19/09
It would crack me up every day, but I have a feeling others might not get the joke and label me a really odd narcissist (who puts a portrait of themselves in the bathroom?!).
02/19/09
02/19/09
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02/19/09
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02/19/09
Additionally, I'm sorry, if I was one of the hottest people alive (Salma), I would so have my portrait painted. A million times. Before I got old -- at which point I'd do it another million.
I guess I think the NYT has written about a lot stupider, more ridiculously indulgent acts by rich people.
02/19/09
02/19/09
02/19/09
I think any portrait of yourself should go in a closet for 20 years. Then you can take it out.
Anyone else flashback to Rory Gilmore?