Click for large.
After this post, I decided to try a slightly different approach for my portfolio headshot to see if I could come up with something more creative, and that offers both more personality and more clarity as to who I am & what I do. So I got my new glasses and decided to try displaying some books, but in a clever way. This is the result. My boss was truly amazing and took the pictures for me, so I could focus on balancing this stack on my head. I cannot say that this would have ended well had I been using a remote! I'm really happy with this picture, and very excited that it turned out as well as it did. This photo may seem typically librarian-y, but from what I've found, I'm one of the few students graduating in December with any interest in working with adults in public libraries. Also, I sure as hell ain't shushing anyone, so there's that.
For those wondering, the books on my head, from top to bottom, are:
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell: I've never read this book, but I thought it was apt to have it on the top of a pile of books on my head. Gladwell is a very attractive author for readers who want to learn about social sciences but don't want anything aggressively over their heads.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: Only a handful of books have been able to make me laugh like this one did. A favourite RA go-to book for anyone looking for a smart laugh.
To America with Love by A. A. Gill: Another book I haven't read, but I wanted to include a more recent nonfiction book and Gill writes about United States minutia that fascinates a lot of readers. Great for Americana fans.
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach: Hands down one of my favourite books of all time. I read it every October. Great for an intelligent reader, readers who like dysfunctional families and dramas, and strongly character-driven books.
The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media by Brooke Gladstone and Josh Neufeld: An excellent graphic novel about the history of media and how the industry has had a lasting influence on society. Graphic novels are excellent for reluctant readers, and a couple of the guys have really enjoyed this one. Also good for teens in civics classes.
I plan to include the information listed above--or at least the titles and authors--with the photo that will be the opening page of my portfolio. I think it adds another touch of personality to have that info there instead of leaving the reader curious but straining to see the titles of some of the books.
Also: what's up new glasses!
In lieu of a regular SIA post, I'd like to announce that Salazar and I are looking for a new co-host to add to Style Imitating Art! You've probably noticed that I haven't been around much as I scramble to the end of grad school, and Salazar's calendar is getting a little more crowded, too. We're looking for an additional co-host, similar to the position Vivienne filled last year. Your responsibilities would include picking a piece of artwork for interpretation, organizing the submissions you receive into a post, and posting it. Not too big a responsibility, but it's a lot of fun. If you're interested or have a question, email me or Salazar. We hope to hear from you!
This Introduction Page welcomes visitors to the end-of-program portfolio. It provides and overview of the content and how to navigate the portfolio. A photograph is also a desirable part of the introduction and should be a head shot or photograph taken in a professional setting.
I have to pick a "headshot" for my portfolio for school, and this is the one I currently have picked out. I know it's old--from March--but I am struggling to find a photo that evenly balance professional with personal. I don't want to do some dumb against-a-white-background headshot, but I also don't want to do something ridiculous. What do you think? Should I do something more recent, with my hair short? I'm getting new classes next week (SO excited, you guys!), so should I wait until I get those? If you don't think this picture is right, what would you envision? My friends and coworkers think I'm overthinking this, and I should "just use whatever's on (my) blog", but this is the very first thing my advisor will see when she opens my portfolio and since this my graduation hinges on this portfolio, I want to put my very best face forward. & I know I'm not smiling, but that's kind of standard. I have other pictures where I'm smiling, but I'm not sure how professional they look comparatively.
So: thoughts?
After the Meeting, by Cecilia Beaux
Oil on canvas, 1914
Cecilia Beaux was a rare bird in her day: a successful female portrait artist. Beaux was a pioneer of women in the world of art; she became the first woman to hold a teaching position at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, at the relatively young age of 40. She drew clients from the world over, and eventually moved from her hometown of Philadelphia to New York to accommodate them all. She was a talented artist and, to her great credit, never strayed from her philosophy of art, which was to take one's time. Although her philosophy slowly became antiquated in a world of art where things moved faster and faster--she was slowly surrounded by the likes of Matisse, Hopper and Henri, who just did it all a bit differently--she continued to work until a broken hip sidelined her in the early 1920s. But no matter--she never stopped her work, just in a different realms; she wrote an autobiography and continued teaching, and was honoured all over the world for her art. She is buried in Bala Cynwyd, just outside of the city where she was born and raised.
Email your outfits to Salazar by the evening of Monday, October 21st. Enjoy this one--who doesn't love a little pattern mixing, am I right? :)
