They say that ones (unchosen) neighbours give us a rough approximation of the typical and the average in our community and also of the wider society. The people that we meet on our travels and in friendships and in our occupations, also fill out average aspects of the human comedy for us..

To do a series of self-portraits over the years forces us into continual self-reflection of whom we are or pretend to be. I did not seek out exceptional individuals to paint their portraits but sort of bumped into them on my journey through this chronicle. I met thousands of unique and talented and important people, but didn’t paint them. Life’s time span is short and art is extensive.

Self-portraiture presents a lot of difficulties. The creative spirit which starts a self-portrait immediately ‘faces off’ against prime creative energies as George Steiner sort of put it. Self- awareness then challenges our own perceived awareness of ourselves at our particular stage of life. As one paints the living forces gyrate and gel and sometimes congeal into frozen images of ourselves in time.

Self portraiture is the most difficult of arts genres. One has to play a lofty demystifier of self identity and other identities. The temptations to egoism or its opposite of self abnegation are equally strong. Masochism and sadism can rear their needy heads. Objectivity proves illusory. Subjectivity is a maze with many uncertain entrances and exits. Narcissistic flattery lingers in the wings. Great portrait painters of the past watch over your shoulder. Rembrandt is there, as is Van Gogh, and a dozen others to observe ones efforts with a sceptical and ironic smile. ‘Not good enough, boyo, not good enough.’ They slowly shake their heads at your awkward efforts.

The self portrait is a supreme challenge for an artist to accomplish.

One can also watch oneself aging on life’s journey and recall the emotions of the time.