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:

  1. 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.

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  2. Great photo and the drawing is too!

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  3. 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—♥️

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  4. 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

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    1. @ 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!

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  5. What are you and the dolphins discussing, hm??

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  6. You did a fantastic job on this - amazing!

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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

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

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  10. What an artist you are! Truly.

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  11. What an experience. Your sketch is wonderful.

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

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  13. What an awesome self portrait ~ so happy ~ hugs,

    https://anartistreflects.com

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

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  15. 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.

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  16. 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.

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  17. 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.

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    1. @ 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.

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

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

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  20. Thanks for the real-life photo and awesome reproduction.

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  21. 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.

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  22. That is an adorable photo! Lovely

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  23. This is fantastic! You got yourself spot on!

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

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

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

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

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  27. Love your self portrait! Great portrait of dolphins also.

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

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

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

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

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

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  33. How wonderful! Lovely beautiful portrait!

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

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  35. Your joy is shining through!

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

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

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