Sarah is a British eccentric who writes offbeat fiction, haiku and tanka poetry. When stuck for words, she sketches or paints instead. She's into nature conservation, sustainability, gardening, dogs, natural health, and reading. Her sociability is something that happens in short bursts with long breathing spaces in between.
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20 thoughts on “#Tanka 48 — Self-portrait (01)”
The devilish sense of humor is missing in the portrait. The loving heart is missing. So much depth cannot be seen. Makes me think of a portrait of me, capturing about 5% of the real me. 🙂
I can look a bit glum at times. Normally it’s if I listen to the News too much. Lockdown and grey weather are not a good combination either. Today and yesterday, there’s lots of sunshine and I’m smiling, especially after lengthy socially distanced conversations with a fab group of likeminded people in the next road to me. We all love reading, so that is a subject that can be talked about for hours on end. My dog walks can turn out to be rather lengthy if I meet lots of people.
I will try to do a sunny self-portrait next time. We can always have a chat on FB messenger, which isn’t exactly seeing me in person but it’s halfway there. Maybe you’re too shy 😉 I’d love to say “hi” to Bev, too.
Excellent. Timewise, you’re 5 hours behind me, so anytime between 2-4 p.m. would be best for me if a 9-11 a.m. timeslot is ok for you. Let me know your best day, preferably not the weekend, or I’ll be in trouble for ignoring Mister! I look forward to chatting very soon 🙂
Keep that inner child alive is what gives up energy and spark. You know my motto: Growing older is inevitable, growing up is optional.
Love the self-portrait. 😀
I love your motto, and I know that you live by it 😉
I need to do another self-portrait now, that expresses that child within and my frequent sparks of rebellion.
Another will be coming soon. It’s a long time since I’ve done any drawing. I used to do portraits all the time at school for my fellow pupils — pictures of their favourite popstars and filmstars mostly. It’s easier working from a photo. I just thought to challenge myself that bit extra to work live from a mirror image. I used to live in a houseshare with an artist who showed me how to do sketches when the subject was moving about. Now that was super-challenging!
Well done for capturing a likeness Sarah – it’s hard to study yourself and see what comes through in a self-portrait – and there are so many aspects of a personality to see at different times that it’s no wonder you can’t capture everything in one image!
Thanks, Andrea 🙂 You’re right about it being hard to capture everything in one image. I’ve been trying all week to do a smiling self-portrait, but am still not totally happy with the result. I like challenges, though, and will keep working at it. I’m sure it needs just another few gentle tweaks and it will be there. Gently does it, when it comes to sketching. Always best to start with an HB pencil and coax subtle and ghostly lines out of its tip, before getting bolder. I get filthy fingers, as I like to do the shading with them. The same if I paint with oils. My fingers end up looking like Joseph’s technicolour dream coat!
Dearest Sarah, your spark of rebellion is there always! You are very brave doing a self portrait, says I who greatly admires anyone who can draw and paint. You have a talent there, my friend, I didn’t realise you enjoyed art. I can sense your concentration as you drew this. But I so much look forward to seeing your beautiful smile again, in person. When that will be I do not know. I have yet to see my darling boys. And it will be a while yet because I have gone and fractured my ankle and that is not what I wanted, laid up from walking and driving for the next 6 weeks. And visits to the hospital during a pandemic. But there it is. I will be in touch and hopefully we can chat again soon. I am going to sign off blogging next week but I wanted to visit you here first. I just can’t keep up with it at the moment espeically as everything is taking me so much longer and a lot of effort hobbling around with a fracture boot up to my knee and crutches. Take care my lovely friend, be in touch soon. Lots of love, hugs and kisses, Sherri xxxxxxxx
Dearest Sherri, you sound as if you’re having a real basin full of trials and tribulations at the moment. I’ll email you soon, or maybe we could have another chat. As far as my art goes, that was always my first love but life conspired against me going to art college. However, it is never too late to revisit old loves. Have just ordered some acrylic paints. Can’t wait for them to arrive. You take care, too, my lovely friend. Lots of love, hugs and kisses, Sarah xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How wonderful to revive your ‘old’ passion. I look forward to seeing more of your art, dearest Sarah. Thank you for your lovely message. Yes, it would be lovely to chat again soon. Thank you, my dear friend. Take care and happy painting! Lots of love, hugs and kisses xxxxxxxxxx
Sarah Potter Writes 
The devilish sense of humor is missing in the portrait. The loving heart is missing. So much depth cannot be seen. Makes me think of a portrait of me, capturing about 5% of the real me. 🙂
I would much rather see you in person, my friend.
Hugs from across the Pond!
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I can look a bit glum at times. Normally it’s if I listen to the News too much. Lockdown and grey weather are not a good combination either. Today and yesterday, there’s lots of sunshine and I’m smiling, especially after lengthy socially distanced conversations with a fab group of likeminded people in the next road to me. We all love reading, so that is a subject that can be talked about for hours on end. My dog walks can turn out to be rather lengthy if I meet lots of people.
I will try to do a sunny self-portrait next time. We can always have a chat on FB messenger, which isn’t exactly seeing me in person but it’s halfway there. Maybe you’re too shy 😉 I’d love to say “hi” to Bev, too.
Hugs from the UK’s sunshine coast.
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That would be lovely and I’m definitely not too shy for that type of communication. Let’s do it soon, my friend.
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Excellent. Timewise, you’re 5 hours behind me, so anytime between 2-4 p.m. would be best for me if a 9-11 a.m. timeslot is ok for you. Let me know your best day, preferably not the weekend, or I’ll be in trouble for ignoring Mister! I look forward to chatting very soon 🙂
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Dear Sarah,
Keep that inner child alive is what gives up energy and spark. You know my motto: Growing older is inevitable, growing up is optional.
Love the self-portrait. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle of the Three Graces
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Dear Rochelle,
I love your motto, and I know that you live by it 😉
I need to do another self-portrait now, that expresses that child within and my frequent sparks of rebellion.
All best wishes,
Sarah of the Three Graces.
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That spark of rebellion.. Wow
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I thought you’d disappeared. So good to see you back. And a millionaire now, too! Have left a comment over at your blog and re-followed you.
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Seen it.. It’s good to hear from you again sarah.. One of my blogging friends
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I love that you not only drew this but put it out there. It shows one side of you. Now we await another 😉
I think you did a lovely job!
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Another will be coming soon. It’s a long time since I’ve done any drawing. I used to do portraits all the time at school for my fellow pupils — pictures of their favourite popstars and filmstars mostly. It’s easier working from a photo. I just thought to challenge myself that bit extra to work live from a mirror image. I used to live in a houseshare with an artist who showed me how to do sketches when the subject was moving about. Now that was super-challenging!
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I think it was a successful challenge! And I look forward to the next one(s)…
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I love both the image and the poem, Sarah! Great!
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Thank you, Carla. Your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated 🙂
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Well done for capturing a likeness Sarah – it’s hard to study yourself and see what comes through in a self-portrait – and there are so many aspects of a personality to see at different times that it’s no wonder you can’t capture everything in one image!
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Thanks, Andrea 🙂 You’re right about it being hard to capture everything in one image. I’ve been trying all week to do a smiling self-portrait, but am still not totally happy with the result. I like challenges, though, and will keep working at it. I’m sure it needs just another few gentle tweaks and it will be there. Gently does it, when it comes to sketching. Always best to start with an HB pencil and coax subtle and ghostly lines out of its tip, before getting bolder. I get filthy fingers, as I like to do the shading with them. The same if I paint with oils. My fingers end up looking like Joseph’s technicolour dream coat!
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I used to do a lot of pencil portraits and did the same thing! I’ve never tried oils…
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Dearest Sarah, your spark of rebellion is there always! You are very brave doing a self portrait, says I who greatly admires anyone who can draw and paint. You have a talent there, my friend, I didn’t realise you enjoyed art. I can sense your concentration as you drew this. But I so much look forward to seeing your beautiful smile again, in person. When that will be I do not know. I have yet to see my darling boys. And it will be a while yet because I have gone and fractured my ankle and that is not what I wanted, laid up from walking and driving for the next 6 weeks. And visits to the hospital during a pandemic. But there it is. I will be in touch and hopefully we can chat again soon. I am going to sign off blogging next week but I wanted to visit you here first. I just can’t keep up with it at the moment espeically as everything is taking me so much longer and a lot of effort hobbling around with a fracture boot up to my knee and crutches. Take care my lovely friend, be in touch soon. Lots of love, hugs and kisses, Sherri xxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dearest Sherri, you sound as if you’re having a real basin full of trials and tribulations at the moment. I’ll email you soon, or maybe we could have another chat. As far as my art goes, that was always my first love but life conspired against me going to art college. However, it is never too late to revisit old loves. Have just ordered some acrylic paints. Can’t wait for them to arrive. You take care, too, my lovely friend. Lots of love, hugs and kisses, Sarah xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful to revive your ‘old’ passion. I look forward to seeing more of your art, dearest Sarah. Thank you for your lovely message. Yes, it would be lovely to chat again soon. Thank you, my dear friend. Take care and happy painting! Lots of love, hugs and kisses xxxxxxxxxx
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