I was recently struck by how little I've changed over the decades, from my cobweb-covered self-portrait of the late 60's, above, to the more recent portrait (© Charles Fenton-Savage) that I use for my blog, and facebook page.
OK, the beard is a bit whiter and soup stained, the wrinkles more prevalent and deeply etched, and the look more mean and menacing; but overall, exactly the same.
Even more amazing is that my finely-tuned brain should continue to think in much the way as it did nearly 50 years ago; irresponsible, self-centred, and reclusive.
Strangers might be forgiven for thinking that I am some angry old codger who shouts at children and ties fireworks to animal's tails, but in fact I'm a sweetheart to the core.
Of course I do have my critics; they are mostly those who've made less money than I have, or are far less good looking. I know at least 2 people of this ilk, and they are both about 102 years old, confused, locked-up and incontinent.
So there you have it..... a passage of nearly 50 years between two pictures. The real Cro (in Dorian Gray mode, top), and his portrait that should have been languishing in the loft (below).
Quite remarkable.
25 comments:
I just recently came over from Johns blogs and really didn't go back that far in your blog.. I didn't know you were a painter because I was so caught up in your village, chestnuts, mushrooms and wine making.
What an interesting self portrait and color choices.
I like it very much.
cheers, parsnip
cheers, parsnip
Painting is just my job; the others are my passions.
You haven't cut your ear off yet.
Your sons' resemblance to you is even more marked in the self-portrait.
And harking back to an earlier post - your grandson has a talent that needs and deserved to be nurtured. I've not doubt you know that! Amazing talent, for an eight-year-old.
I thought I'd go for a toe.
I do like a man with attitude.
Just out of interest, how did you 'make' your money? I am wondering if I still have the time to catch up. (P.S. I am not one of those two - I still have most of my faculties and I am only locked up after 1..30 pm.)
I'm a 'famous artist'.
Well I've heard of you.
Any particular reason for the tangerine skin or had you just got over jaundice. I'm surprised you have time to paint these days with everything else going on right now.
You're right , the resemblance is very strong... And you do look grouchier - it's all about the eyes.
Thank you.
The original is less jaundiced, and has more cobwebs.
The younger Cro is still very visible in the older Cro.
Cro, from reading your blog over the last few months, I don't really think the portraits reflect the real you. The portraits seem so cold and harsh but from your blogging you are quite the opposite. I'm interested in knowing why you painted yourself as such a person? Your comment about painting being just a job struck me as being a little different for a painter. I had always assumed that artists were such because of the passion.
I think our basic core self remains the same through out life. Mine was tempered through life experiences and now I have a better temperament than during my youthful years. Things that were big issues 40 years ago hardly make the radar on the tail end of life. Philosophy of life is much different after the cubical career days are over. The passion of life rose up in me and those ancestral soil tilling genes sprouted and came to life. Now gardening is my passion. It was so all along but I just didn't pursue until late in life. It's one of those things that I probably would change if I could do it all over again.
Have great hardly changing day.
I think it all comes down to concentration. In the self portrait I was concentrating on what I was doing, and in the photo portrait I was concentrating on trying not to look too much like an idiot. In both cases I adopted a rather austere look. I am in fact a very smiley, laughing, person.
About the painting; after so many years of working it becomes just something that one needs to do; a bit like eating. The passion would probably only reveal itself again if (for some reason) I was unable to work.
Hello Cro, you look like Augustus John in that top one.
I wish I had his talent... I'm one of his greatest fans.
I like to feel he's still there.
Love both the portraits Cro as we are never far from what we once were, just as you say a few more wrinkles. I look in the mirror and I see the 25 year old me then I see a photo of myself someone else took and I am thinking, "Who the hell is that old broad?' And on the days I see my mother in my face I am happiest of all. In both you're a handsome man and I am proud to be your blog buddy.
I love you Donna. I can't believe the age I'm going to be before too long. I can't even believe the age I am now.
You've got a mean look in your eyes now....what did the cobwebs in the first portrait signify?
A soup stained beard
You are MY kinda guy
Still a handsome rogue I think! :) definitely see the young Cro in the older Cro!
Lack of house-pride (studio-pride).
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