Self-Portrait with Flowers 1973

Edward O’Brien made this drawing called "Self-Portrait with Flowers" with coloured pencil. I find myself drawn to how the colours interact, how the earthy tones of the flowers contrast against the pale sky. You can really see the process, the way the artist built up the image with layer upon layer of tiny marks. There is a kind of humility in that mark making, each pencil stroke sitting alongside the last, like a gentle conversation. Notice how in the foreground, some of the pencil strokes are more intense, creating darker areas that give depth and weight to the image. O'Brien reminds me of Alfred Jensen, who was also interested in how colour could be used to create a sense of movement and energy. Ultimately, this piece is about process, about the joy of making, and the way art can open up new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.