Maker Faire Long Island 2023
FACEYOURSELF
Home: New York, United States
Visit FACEYOURSELF, the programmable portrait making machine and receive an imaginative portrait unlike any other. Take home empowering stickers, posters and buttons that celebrate risk taking and encourage a growth mindset.
https://sunporchstudio.com/2015/08/25/face-yourself-the-programmable-portrait-portal/
Maker
MaryJo Allegra
FACEYOURSELF is operated by compassionista, MaryJo Allegra. An artist and art educator for over 20 years, MaryJo lives her life as an embodied art practice and is committed to revealing the creative & caring potential that exists in every living being.
https://art-engine.orgWhat Inspired You to Make This?
I engage in art practice as a means of working through my fears and struggles. In an effort to combat social anxiety, self-doubt and a need to develop my portrait drawing skills, I developed an interactive art experience that enables me to face my fears and re-write an (unhealthy) narrative. Through FACEYOURSELF, I have developed a practice rooted in self-compassion that requires a commitment to slowing down and listening deeply. The practice of sitting and being fully present for another individual is the ultimate gift. This time becomes less about me and my fears, and more about reflecting back to another human all that is beautiful about them inside and out. FACEYOURSELF offers me the opportunity to live out my values of inclusivity and belonging and models the benefits of slowing down and being fully present for each other.
