“Self-Portrait”

We were told to paint a self-portrait for our virtual art class.

Some took a literal approach. They painted perfect replicas of themselves, and even wore matching clothes to prove their point.

Others took an inspired approach. They painted themselves in different forms, such as angels or video game characters.

A few took an abstract approach. They painted how they felt when they thought of themselves. Splashes of colour and shapes filled the canvases, indiscernible as a self-portrait to any save for those who knew the artists personally.

I took a mix of all three approaches.

Literal in the swirl of code trapped within the screen.

Inspired in the body that did not exist, but that I dreamed could be real.

Abstract in the human face I had crafted for myself that appeared on screen alongside the others.

I got full marks for my assignment.