Self Portrait

Brenna Leaver

Artist’s Statement

The theme of my picture is breaking out of your shell. Being 15, I am at the age where I am discovering myself, trying new things, and taking risks. For a good part of my life, I was very concerned about what people thought, and scared about life in general. I didn’t know what to expect in life, and not knowing is a frightening notion. Although I am still the same person, I can already feel the shift between childhood and adulthood beginning. It’s an awkward period, but everyone must go through it. In my picture, I placed eggshells on my face, which is a literal image of me breaking out of my shell. The photo focuses on my eyes, because I believe the eyes show the most emotion. Although I am excited to grow up, and have new experiences, I am still reluctant to let go of my childhood. It’s too late to go back, and the only thing I can do now is move forward. I am at the point of my life where I can start chipping away the pieces of my shell, and let go.