Friday, 28 November 2025

Friday Face OFF -- "Self-Portrait"

For today's Friday Face OFF link party
of art featuring faces, hosted by Nicole of

Our challenge this week?
Do a self-portrait and accompany it
with the photo on which it is based.

So here I am 
swimming with dolphins
on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico!
(20 years ago)


[Direct-to-paper freehand sketch
done in water-soluble ink and gouache]

I wrote about my swim with the dolphins here,
if you want to read an account of it.

* * * * * * * *

And okay, I know you people,
so I do not want to read
any comments about my
"threesome with the dolphins."

Despite the kissing, it was
PURELY PLATONIC!

[Art and photo of art © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025]

50 comments:

Val Ewing said...

What a wonderful experience you had. I once swam in waters that had barracudas in it. I got out. This was during the popular Jaws movies.

Marie Smith said...

Great photo and the drawing is too!

Tom said...

...what an experience!!!

baili said...

Dear Debra ,I am amazed how beautifully you draw your self portrait ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
You have done a fantastic job ๐Ÿ‘
Your photo is so lovely and dolphins kissing you look so cute and friendly ๐Ÿค—♥️

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, Finally you have found the ideal subject, and glowingly portrayed her perfect inner and outer beauty! That is a very sweet photo, but tell us whether you could draw yourself also from memory or using a mirror?
--Jim

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Parnassus (Jim) -- I haven't tried drawing myself from memory or using a mirror, so I don't know how that would go. Perhaps I should try sometime!

Boud said...

What are you and the dolphins discussing, hm??

Martha said...

You did a fantastic job on this - amazing!

Pixie said...

You are an amazing artist.

Travel said...

Back in my gym-bunny days, I was open water swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off the panhandle of Florida, and found myself swimming along with dolphins, I saw the fins first, then realized they were dolphins no sharks. They didn't try to kiss me.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Travel -- Their loss!

Cleora Borealis said...

๐Ÿ˜ When I saw the sketch, I thought c'mon nobody has a smile that turns up their lips and cheeks so big and cute...your photo proved me wrong! I am joyful just looking at the three of you!! ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฌ

sirkkis said...

You are wonderful in both so. the painting and photo ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ‘
Thanks for sharing๐Ÿ˜

Ms. Moon said...

What an artist you are! Truly.

RedPat said...

What an experience. Your sketch is wonderful.

Ellen D. said...

That sketch is great and looks like the photo - you look so happy!

Christine said...

Fun self portrait!

carol l mck said...

What an awesome self portrait ~ so happy ~ hugs,

https://anartistreflects.com

Barbara said...

Dang. You did a great job.

Iris Flavia said...

WOW - very well done and weee some experience!!! Thank you for sharing!

Gene Black said...

I did a "swim with stingrays" once, but I have yet to have a visit with dolphins. I have always wanted to do that.
Great rendering! I love your work.

Kirk said...

I once pet a dolphin's nose at Sea World, and that's about as close as I've ever gotten. You certainly look like you're having fun.

DVArtist said...

I have said this to you before, I so wish we lived closer. We would have so much fun. LOL This is an amazing piece of art. I love the movement of it, the expression and the joy that comes off the page. A 20 year old portrait? So you have been an artist all of your life? I tam thrilled with this and thank you so much for sharing with FFO. Have a great weekend. No, I won't mention the threesome. opps I just did.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ DVArtist -- I wish we lived closer too! What fun and mayhem we could wreak! And yes, the photo is 20 years old, but I only did the artwork a couple of weeks ago, specifically for this FFO challenge.

Mary Kirkland said...

Nicely done, very cute.

Fundy Blue said...

Oh lucky, lucky you! What an amazing experience. You look so happy, Debra!

Mistress Maddie said...

Your artwork always amazes me with the talent. You would probably find my stick figures entertaining.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Your smile is lovely and gentle.

Kathy G said...

Thanks for the real-life photo and awesome reproduction.

Carola Bartz said...

Debra, this is a wonderful self-portrait and I am so jealous that you were able to swim with the dolphins. That's something I'd love to do! We can see that you really enjoy this.

Elderberry-Rob said...

thats a good self portrait!

roentare said...

That is an adorable photo! Lovely

Jeanie said...

This is fantastic! You got yourself spot on!

Catalyst said...

Oh yeah? What about the "dolphins jumping over you"? Eh? Never mind your oddments, the sketch is spot on. Good work!

Mike said...

HEY! What's that third dolphin doing down there?!

Moving with Mitchell said...

The dolphin post was before my time. How very cool (thoughts of exploitation aside). Wonderful photo and drawing. What a memory to have.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Well done and what a fabulous memory.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Mike -- Oh, I knew I could count on you, Mike. LOL!

Granny Annie said...

Love your self portrait! Great portrait of dolphins also.

Liz Hinds said...

That's wonderful! Both to swim to dolphins and your artwork.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Wow Debra, bravo for a lovely self portrait. How fun to swim with the dolphins. Happy Holidays.

The Blog Fodder said...

Excellent sketch.

Quinley said...

Your self potrait looks amazing, I love the shading.
-Quinley

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Wow! That's an amazing self-portrait and picture too. Blessings!

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Debra, gorgeous photo and portrait. What a glorious experience.

Maria Medeiros said...

How wonderful! Lovely beautiful portrait!

Duni said...

Your self-portrait is amazing, Debra! That must have been a wonderful experience.

e said...

Your joy is shining through!

Lady M said...

Dang that's cute - cutest threesome I have ever seen.

This N That said...

Self portraits are not my thing but I love yours!!