The painting challenge #21emBODY with artist extraordinaire Connie Solera continues this week with the prompts EYES, LIPS, NOSE, TOES, SHOULDERS, NECK and HIPS. Retired and living in Mexico, I appreciate the creativity, structure and opportunity to nurture my artistic spark. The idea is to heal our body, one part at a time. I don’t know about healing, but it sure has been fun.
Hazel Eyes
Staring into my 65 year old eyes, with the wrinkles and skimpy lashes was hard at first. After awhile I became fascinated with me.
Lips
I used the painting of lips as my experiment with color. I’ve wanted to use myself as the model for this process and a blue painting was my attempt at playfulness.
Nose
A change from staring a my own face I decided to switch it up again. I choose another nose that is dear to my heart these days. Our dog Luna provides never ending entertainment. This is a replication of one of my favorite pictures of her.
Toes
Ah, yes, toes. I got down on the floor and played with camera angles to get this upside down perspective. Sketching has also been a fun part of the process. My need to be perfect is falling away.
Shoulders
Continuing to play with color resulted in this blue/green rendition of myself. I experienced a lot of shoulder pain at one time and would wake at night with my shoulders reaching for my ears, my body’s response to stress. No more! I’m loving these relaxed shoulders.
Neck
A bit more stylized, this self portrait hardly resembles me today. It was fun to paint and I added a scarf as an afterthought. You who know me are familiar with my pleasure in making, collecting and wearing scarves .
Hips
And finally this week, I celebrate my hips. I went to the art supply store yesterday in search of some oil pastels. I’d like to branch out and try new techniques. I like the colors and texture the pastels produced.
As life has spun around me this week, painting has provided an anchor and a focus. I’ve surprised myself with the outcome. I am loosening my grip and need to control. If that’s not healing, I don’t know what is. DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Such a lovely Post, Alex…you have inspired me. Thank you, neighbor dear. Last night it was 8pm for me…:)
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😂The Laguna dos that.
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I really enjoy seeing your paintings!!!
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Thanks Laird.
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LOVE this, Alex! You go, girl!!! Awesome. ~Nancy
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Awww Nancy, I’m blushing. We’ll be in town the month of April. Staying in S. Austin.
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Such fun exercises! And I feel you captured all parts well. Especially love Luna’s upside down nose.
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I know Em right?! One more week and then I’ll have to come up w my own motivation. 😐
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