Self Portrait | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Art
  3. Charcoals
  4. Self Portrait

Self Portrait

October 18, 2009
By emmabr BRONZE, columbia, Maryland
More by this author
emmabr BRONZE, Columbia, Maryland
1 article 33 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.

You think she's insane. Until, one day, you notice that she's taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.

Because you look. But you do not see.

And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she's some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.

Because you eat. But you do not taste.

It's been a while since their last album but he assures you, he's doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.

Because you sniff. But you do not smell.

And they say "Just OK" when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they're hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads "I wish you'd give me some privacy."

Because you listen. But you do not hear.

And they've got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.

Because you touch. But you do not feel.

And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.

Because you live. But very few, love.

View profile

Tags: TeensGirlHeadBandSelfPortraitBlackWhiteShading

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar images

Previous Next
Art
Oh My!
By sarahmarie SILVER
Escondido, California
sarahmarie SILVER, Escondido, California
5 articles 16 photos 28 comments
View profile
Art
Celtic Cross
By bibwitharte BRONZE
Barnegat, New Jersey
bibwitharte BRONZE, Barnegat, New Jersey
2 articles 30 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
We all just floating on by waiting for some guy that can walk on water

View profile
Art
watching
By notyourbladeofgrass
Norfolk, Virginia
notyourbladeofgrass, Norfolk, Virginia
0 articles 1 photo 1 comment
View profile
Art
1 Face of Leukemia
By dancerx3xoxo GOLD
Bayside, New York
dancerx3xoxo GOLD, Bayside, New York
12 articles 1 photo 8 comments
View profile
Art
making me cry
By jlovey23 BRONZE
Cincinnati, Ohio
jlovey23 BRONZE, Cincinnati, Ohio
1 article 33 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite."

View profile
Art
Strength Of A Tree
By Eric Stone
Wolfforth, Texas
Eric Stone, Wolfforth, Texas
0 articles 1 photo 0 comments
View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This art has 21 comments.

bluhs said...
on May. 26 2012 at 2:44 pm
bluhs, E, Alabama
0 articles 0 photos 111 comments
View profile
 That's amazing!
chol65 BRONZE said...
on May. 4 2012 at 2:41 pm
chol65 BRONZE, Carrboro, North Carolina
2 articles 2 photos 9 comments
View profile
This is so cool the shadow are amazing!
Chemical_Insanity said...
on Apr. 12 2012 at 3:22 pm
Chemical_Insanity, Mount Vernon, Washington
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"My brain is like my room. Disorganized, messy, and covered in enough clothes to dress a small army."

"Knowledge is power and power corrupts, so study hard and be evil."

View profile
My thoughts exactly
MaddyThepoet PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 21 2012 at 2:37 pm
MaddyThepoet PLATINUM, Centralia, Illinois
20 articles 7 photos 8 comments
View profile
Wow that awesome 
firecleansed said...
on Feb. 29 2012 at 8:59 am
firecleansed, West Jordan, Utah
0 articles 1 photo 60 comments
View profile
I agree though I believe the "akwardness" gives it a human element that makes the peice relateable. Good job.
Bka341997 GOLD said...
on Oct. 19 2011 at 7:06 pm
Bka341997 GOLD, Bigfork, Montana
11 articles 0 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take our breath away!

View profile
It makes me want to know her story.
JenJenJ-Wow PLATINUM said...
on Sep. 8 2011 at 7:03 pm
JenJenJ-Wow PLATINUM, Brielle, New Jersey
38 articles 61 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
Dealing with backstabbers, there was one thing I learned. They're only powerful when you've got your back turned.
-Eminem
You've got enemies? Good. That means you actually stood up for something in your life.
-Eminem

View profile
this is AMAZING!  i LOVE it!!!! :)
HudaZav SILVER said...
on Aug. 14 2011 at 3:45 pm
HudaZav SILVER, Toronto, Other
8 articles 6 photos 390 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Nothing is impossible; the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" -Audrey Hepburn

View profile
Really love this, different and beautiful!
SecretFlame PLATINUM said...
on Jul. 23 2011 at 7:59 pm
SecretFlame PLATINUM, Portland, Oregon
20 articles 1 photo 373 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I have a life. I just choose to ignore it."
-one of my friends

View profile
This is amazing! You portrayed personality and emotion wonderfully! Great detail!
sunshine. said...
on Apr. 26 2011 at 11:56 am
OMG i love this picture .... Good job i really love it/
sweetpill SILVER said...
on Apr. 4 2011 at 5:57 pm
sweetpill SILVER, Hatch, New Mexico
6 articles 1 photo 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is like a box of chocolates, never know watcha gonna get.















-Forest Gump

View profile
Oh, my gosh this is amazing. :D -gasp-
Keeper6 GOLD said...
on Jan. 31 2011 at 2:49 pm
Keeper6 GOLD, Buffalo, Minnesota
16 articles 0 photos 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak, sometimes it just means you are strong enough to let go.

View profile
I love how you used the lighting notmany people do it this well!!
sticky BRONZE said...
on Dec. 15 2010 at 9:45 pm
sticky BRONZE, Poland, Ohio
2 articles 2 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"pretending to listen and sympathize is my specialty"

View profile
well, i have to say this is pretty sweet. and i wish i could draw like this. :D
MiiSs_AlySsA SILVER said...
on Nov. 23 2010 at 6:50 pm
MiiSs_AlySsA SILVER, Fall River, Massachusetts
8 articles 3 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Your Hold On Me Is Pemeant And Unbreakable. Don't Forget That..."

"Oh yea, Burgers for the boys.." - Haha!! A friend

View profile
The shading on this is really great.. I love this. You deffinately have talent ! Keep up the god work! :)
LoveLostNeverFound GOLD said...
on Nov. 4 2010 at 6:41 pm
LoveLostNeverFound GOLD, Freeland, Pennsylvania
17 articles 0 photos 23 comments

Favorite Quote:
My scars don't lead me in the path that I'm headed, they simply remind me of where I've been.

View profile
this is amazing!
Desuanjana said...
on Nov. 1 2010 at 7:31 pm
interesting. you are a master at shading. that much is evident. i have one sudjustion. the backround arm should be hidden from veiw. it looks somewhat awkward. i dont say this to be mean. i say this to help you becaome better. i hope ive helped you.,not hindered you.
strongernow SILVER said...
on Oct. 24 2010 at 6:14 pm
strongernow SILVER, F-bo, Minnesota
8 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
"be who you want to be. those who mind don't matter, and those that matter won't mind"
-Dr. Seuss
"be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"
-Philo

View profile
wow!! thats all i can say.
Passion4art SILVER said...
on Oct. 10 2010 at 12:10 pm
Passion4art SILVER, Wilsonville, Other
5 articles 11 photos 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
Imagine with your eyes closed then open them to reveal a world of possibilities.

Live as if you'll die today. Dream as if you'll live forever

View profile
This is absolutely amazing. The shading is... WOW! You are very talented. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!!
classngrl BRONZE said...
on Oct. 2 2010 at 8:54 pm
classngrl BRONZE, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3 articles 1 photo 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
the sun also shines on the wicked.





-lucius Seneca

View profile
WOW!!! whoever this is is totally BEAUTIFUL!!!! great job drawing it!!! u r amazing!
Mystery_Girl SILVER said...
on Nov. 16 2009 at 8:05 am
Mystery_Girl SILVER, Lake, Michigan
8 articles 6 photos 86 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Love me or Hate me"......"Me Vs. The World and the World is Winning"......"When the going gets tough the tough get going".

View profile
WOW!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!! It is fantastic!!!! Great job!!!!! Purely amazing!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3