A new self portrait [View all]

Sorry I've been largely absent from the group lately. I was without a computer charger for over a week and didn't do much on DU except read and recommend on my phone.

But I just finished this oil painting. It's not great but it's the best my skill level allows for now. I wanted to document the moment, and also I needed to do something creative to take my mind off my anxiety and grief. As some of you know, my mother suffers from advanced dementia and although I am able to video chat with her often, she's receiving hospice care now and I fear she will never see family again, or understand why no one is visiting her anymore. She recently had pneumonia (not covid-related) and the trauma of being in ICU left her unable to speak more than a few words.

At least when I'm painting, I'm focusing on color, value and shape instead of everything else.