Welcome!

Low Tide at Yaquina Head, originally uploaded by megsodano.

Welcome to Self Portrait, a blog I have created as a way to stimulate my creativity, carry out all the ideas in my head, and to share and promote my artwork. As my friends and family know, last year I decided that the spare time I spent on my art was not enough and I became a full-time artist. The biggest challenge has been establishing my style, since I like working in a variety of media and subjects. Flurries of ideas keep me awake at night and at times I can feel overwhelmed. Well no longer. As I mentioned, this blog is the outlet for all that creative energy. If you check back often, you’ll see what I mean: sketch book pages, illustrations, finished paintings, nature photography, handmade jewelry, and who knows what else. Since most of my work is inspired by my experiences in the outdoors, I will share stories from my weekly adventures around Oregon. And no blog would be complete without tidbits on the life of the author. There you have it – my Self Portrait.

I am glad to finally display some work I completed in April. Low Tide at Yaquina Head is one in a series of four pastel paintings on the tidepools at Yaquina Head on the Central Oregon Coast. The species in the paintings – Purple Sea Star (which can comes in a range of colors including red and orange), Giant Green Anemone, Purple Sea Urchin, and California Mussel – can be easily found at low tide all along the Pacific Northwest coast. The complete series is viewable here, and all pieces are for sale.