This self portrait expressed my feelings about the requirements of social interactions put on autistic people specifically. But I think a lot of people can relate to the frustrations I have with social expectations.
“Kicking and Masking” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
“Consume me as I have been consumed by thoughts of you. Taste what you’ve done to me.”
I tend to be… obsessive… in relationships. For autistic people, other people can be a special interest. Allistic people, typically, cannot match the sort of passion and intensity that I bring to the table. And that’s okay, that’s healthy, but sometimes I crave the same sort of attention that I give out. And I’m sure that can be true for people who aren’t autistic, too. I think there’s a universal craving to be met with the same effort you give.
“The Softer Side” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
This is obviously a fantasy self-portrait, but I think it’s one of the most accurate. Liz, forest creature, protector of cats, loves gardening and dancing to the beat of her own drum; catches her horns on everything, quite the klutz. The softest side of me, rarely seen in real life because of masking and social expectations. Fuck capitalism and social hierarchies.
Let’s all live in the woods and spend our days making art and music and trading food from our gardens.
“The Softer Side” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
This is a universal issue, it doesn’t matter if you’re autistic or allistic, gay or straight, whatever. In every relationship—even just friendships—there comes a point when you have to ask yourself just how vulnerable you are willing to get with no guarantee that it’s going to be worth it.
“Treasure Map” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
Here’s an older self portrait (that I don’t have to censor). It was one of the first self portraits I did when I got my iPad. I know it’s dorky, but I was feeling very cool in legal weed states.
Other than figuring out I’m autistic, pot is one of the best things I’ve done for my autistic brain. I don’t know how much it helps other AuDHD folks, so I’m hesitant to recommend, but it helps me with sensory overload and anxiety.
I don’t have many regrets in life. I don’t like regrets. But if I could go back in time I’d tell 8-year-old Liz she’s autistic and I’d tell16-year-old Liz that her teachers are lying and pot is just fine. 🤣 (I’d probably also pop in on 13-year-old Liz and tell her she might be a little gay. 😏)
“The Coolest Self-Portrait” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
I keep going back and forth between “It’s That Time Again” and “It’s About That Time”. Either way, this selfie is about autistic masking, how it feels when that mask slips, and the vulnerability that follows. It’s also about the inevitability of a mask slipping with friends or even choosing to take off the mask, realizing it was a mistake, but being unable to put it back on.
“It’s That Time Again” is part of a *very limited printing* self portrait collection. Each digital self-portrait is printed on 8″ by 10″ paper and is limited to 3-4 prints each, signed on the back.
The actual paintable area of these postcards is a slightly tall square of approximately 3.75 inches. I wasn’t really used to painting on surfaces that small when I started and wasn’t sure I’d be able to work a lot on them, but I have proven myself wrong.
Check out postcard 20!
The light refraction off the ocean water is new for me. I don’t recall ever trying to paint that effect before. I really like the way it turned out, though, and these little postcards are a great exercise in trusting myself.
Not to mention, every day that I work on these little postcards is a day that I am grateful to practice art and relish the joy and calm that it brings me.
After twenty days the box that these Pantone postcards came in is getting a little weak. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing duck tape on it in the future.
❤ Liz Zook
I’m 18 days into the 100 day challenge that I decided to do…
When I’m not planning out every detail or constructing each piece mentally before ever touching a brush to canvas, I don’t make pop art. When it’s just me and one of these postcards and I only have five or ten minutes before class, it’s something else altogether. It’s been very freeing, not being constricted to only one style. I don’t know what kind of girl I’ll be at the end of this, but I don’t think I’ll just be “the pop art girl” anymore.
🖤 Liz Zook
I bought a box of 100 Pantone postcards. I’m going to try to paint one every day for 100 days. Drawing randomly and getting inspiration from the color. (Or Pinterest if inspiration doesn’t strike on its own.) Today I used Posca acrylic paint markers. (I’ll probably use them most days, because they glide on these postcards!
I’m going to try to share the postcards even when I don’t like them, because practice is practice and it’s supposed to be a fun 10-15 minute exercise, not a serious piece of art.
Liz Kelly Zook 