Lisa's Self Portrait Overview

1. Lisa Lee Hairston
Art 100
January 26, 2015

2. A Self Portrait Of Lisa Lee Hairston
This is my final semester at Bennett College, and I want to make every second count.
My four goals for my remaining days on campus are (1)to spend every opportunity researching
topics of interest, (2)writing campaigns that will have a positive impact on Bennett Belles after I
complete my matriculation, (3)studying relentlessly my five hundred Graduate Record
Examination flashcards, and (4) expressing myself artistically.
With respect to expressing myself artistically, I am determined to present myself,
particularly my style of dress as a “work of art!!!” For example, what if I dressed each day as if I
were interviewing for a career, and not just a job? What if I dressed so well, someone here in
human resources would hire me on the spot, doing everything I love to do?
In essence, I quit my forty-hour job as a family aide of six years to complete my degree at
Bennett. Why is that important to mention? I have not been happy with my job since I was
asked not to get any more manicures. My supervisors look at me strangely when I dress up in
my best clothes and work as if I am wearing “scrubs.” I only want to make a fashion statement
that is second to none.
On the same token, I quit frequenting holiness churches. From the time I was twelve
years old up until now, the only sermon you can expect to hear is why “dressing well” is unholy
and ungodly. Of special note, the men dress exceptionally well in their suits and ties, and the
women are expected to look like “plain Janes.”
Imagine my shock as I attended the second A.C.E.S. on campus to hear the exact
opposite. I felt as if everyone were trying to figure out why I would not go out of my way to
look as immaculately as possible when I stepped inside the chapel.

3. In fact, on my first day on campus, I was afraid to even get out of the car! I was not sure
if what I was wearing was appropriate. Again, in the past, wearing jewelry, makeup, and dress
attire that expresses my femininity and my African-American heritage (while still looking holy)
has never been encouraged. What is a female to do???
For that reason, I most identified with Miss Sojourner Truth’s portraiture. Though I did
not have my glasses on when we discussed Miss Truth’s portrait, it was very clear to me that she
was deliberately projecting an image she wanted everyone in her generation and forthcoming
generations to remember.
Sojourner Truth did not strike me as the type of woman who would let anyone in her
immediate space dictate the image she wished to project to the world each day. She was
comfortable in her own skin, and she was highly confident in her femininity, not to mention
strong.
To look at Miss Truth, one would never guess that she had this portrait taken in 1864 –
one year before President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Miss Truth simply did
not look as if she had ever been affected or impacted by the slave era. Moreover, no one would
even guess that slavery, racism, ageism (old age), sexism, or any other “isms” even existed. I
suspect that Miss Truth had calculated her portraiture long before she posed for the camera.
At first glance, Miss Truth could have passed as an educator. After attending Bennett’s
Convocatum Est on January 15, 2015, and after seeing all the “pomp and stance” of such a
glorious event, it dawned on me that Miss Truth could easily fit in here at Bennett as the
President of the college.

4. Ever since I can remember, someone has told me to my face that I was ugly, therefore I
am a little self-conscious about my face. At some point, I contemplated having plastic surgery to
make up such a facial deficit. That was why I took the picture that I submitted for this
assignment.
I published my first book, Victoria Has A Secret, in 2010, and I was determined that I
wanted my picture on the back cover of the book. Felling somewhat apprehensive about how my
portrait would turn out, I paid my friend from high school $50 to help me project the image I
wanted to present to my reading audience.
My friend and I spent one whole day driving around town and to several other towns
shopping for the perfect dress, the perfect shoes, the perfect makeup, and the perfect jewelry. I
paid $35 for a manicure at a nail salon inside of Wal-Mart, and $19.99 for a half wig.
My hair does not take to a relaxer, not even a mild one, and the humidity and my hair
weave just did not work. So I just had to resort to a press and curl. The natural look worked
great until my hair grew out and now, I am looking for that perfect hairstyle. I even contacted
the Hair Club In Raleigh, North Carolina to see what they could do with my hair and what
hairstyle would work best with my facial features.
Lastly, the resolution on this picture is not clear because my friend and I used a digital
camera, but I think the picture is perfect just the way it is, except I cannot blow up the image so
that I can have a larger than life portrait of myself hanging on my living room wall for everyone
to see.
I can stare at this image of myself a million hours a day and never grow weary. It is the
best portrait of myself that I have ever taken. In fact, this portrait of myself looks so good (well)

5. that no one believes I am the person in the portrait. When I try to go for another look that looks
a thousand times better, people get offended.
Twice, I have had my change thrown at me by an African-American female working
behind the counter because I looked better than good. And they were looking twice as well as I
was, the latter being the lady who worked at the fast-food restaurant on Lee Street on the day of
Convocatum Est.
Lastly, I will use this Art 100 Class as a stepping stone to dressing like I am a “work of
art. I will find the perfect hairstyle and the perfect hairdresser. I will get my nails done every
two weeks. I will, one, find a specialty store that sells African-American attire. Two, I will
dress up each day in the attire that would land me my dream job – working as an academic dean.
And lastly, I will wear jewelry and makeup without fear of retaliation from anyone who wants
me to look like a broke, plain Jane.
In conclusion, I will look like the career I want to attract. In doing so, I believe that I will
begin to embrace the African-American Heritage I have never had a chance to celebrate. Thank
God for Art 100 – Introduction to Visual Arts. I am the visual art going somewhere to make my
greatest fashion statement!!!