Painting selfies in oils is fun. Getting feedback on the paintings is fun too. When giving feedback, viewers often reveal something about themselves, their values and their thoughts that comes to the surface through the paintings. This picture has even been described as burning in the fires of hell. I call the painting Flamehead myself.
I made this oil painting in April 2024.
At first the work was more “polished”, but it seemed so tame that I decided to give it more “oomph”. As you can see above, the picture shows me laughing with a red beanie on. That orange tone made the work more flame-like. This oil painting is one of my own favourites.
The feedback I’ve received on this painting has taught me a lot. “Why are you on fire?” “Are you in hell?” and so on. These days I feel it really doesn’t matter what or how you paint. Viewers always look at pictures from their own starting points. When I hear feedback on my paintings, it works as a kind of mirror of the viewer’s soul.
Paintings reflect the viewer’s own experiences and values. Maybe that’s why so many people see some kind of hell symbolism in this one as well. In reality, “yours truly” is on fire because life is so amazing!
This is the finished painting, moments before the “Se itte” signature.