Journeys and evolution - What started as just portrait practice using a goofy selfie I took and a 2-hour painting session led me down a path of creative exploration.

I liked the look of the portrait, but it was not finished as a painting; it was just a study. So I had to take it to the next level. I may have been better off leaving it alone, as starting fresh would have led to a better composition, but I couldn’t leave well enough alone.

I had the idea to add a scene from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” where the gang is meeting the Wizard for the first time, as the expressions and gaze seemed to fit this well. Once I added them, it ruined the composition, so more was needed if I was to salvage it.