12 Mar Seeking solitude with Self Portraits

Seeking solitude in a busy chaotic world with a series of illustrated self-portraits exploring loneliness and wellbeing in perimenopause. I’ve loved experimenting with self-portraits recently and it’s something I’d like to play with more in my personal work. I found myself drawing normal everyday scenarios whilst also experimenting with materials and style.

I found myself drawn to moments where I’m on my own which can perhaps look a little lonely or sad to some but I’m a person that relishes time in my own head – I positively need it to stay a functioning adult that has to juggle priorities and life demands. Being a recently diagnosed woman with ADHD who is also perimenopausal and lives with small chatty, inquisitive children can cause my head to explode if I don’t get time alone.

I’m the type of person who can easily take a two hour bath and wonder where the time has gone, or just dance around the house with my head phones on. Sometimes positive alone time tips into a sought of self imposed circular rumination thats no longer that healthy, but life is usually busy enough to pull me back. On the whole I consider time by myself to be privilege which I relish.

I have a long list of other scenarios I wish to develop as self-portraits – I now just need to find the time! If you can relate to this idea of finding the balance between healthy solitude and self-imposed rumination you might like this article about feeling alive with your own thoughts.