Author: Neil Portnoy

Here it is, the end of February. I’ve been busy volunteering for Gather, the Seacoast food pantry, for the AMC Cold River Camp, and I’m teaching math to 8 young adults for whom high school didn’t work.

In addition, for the past year, I’ve been studying drawing with Martha Miller at the Maine College of Art. Wonderful classes! Martha has been supportive in helping me to overcome my inner judge and to develop some skills while keeping my “naive and authentic” style. Here is a self-portrait in the style of Hrdlicka.

As we come to the end of 2018 and I look in the mirror, I realize how much I have changed in the past year. My self-image seems to have caught up with my age. I feel this is good. I am happy to have many good friends in my life and I am also glad to have my family to love. I hope to enjoy each day in the new year.

How about this? It is December 29, 2017. Today’s high temperature is 6 degrees in Kittery, Maine. Forecast is for another five days of below zero lows with highs in the positive single digits. I am grateful to have a house that is well-insulated and a furnace that works well. I hope all y’all stay warm!