An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h… An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h… An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h… An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her f… — artist's signature
An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h…
An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h…
An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her face is grimacing as h…
An extreme close up of a blonde haired woman (the artist) wearing a thick grey wool knit sweater. Her f… — artist's signature
Painting by Melissa Ritchie 59 Artworks Sold

Brace Yourself

Oil, Wood, Ready to hang

30cm (W) x 45cm (H) x 1.5cm (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included

Complete Your Piece With A Wood Frame
A$1,930

Arrives 17–19 Sep

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Artwork Description

This is a self portrait of me the day I got my braces. They were a 40th birthday gift to myself. Turning 40, I found some of my friends resorting to botox, fillers and fake eyelashes to hold onto their youth. I never thought I'd be into that, but did find myself investigating braces in search for the perfect smile. It really is no different. While, they have their treatment and look a sultry ten years younger. I, in my braces look like an awkward, freckly 15 year old.

'Brace Yourself' received a highly commended award at the SBS Portrait Prize (VIC) in 2019.

Artist Bio
Photo of Melissa Ritchie
Melissa Ritchie 156 artworks | 41 Sold

Born in Georgia USA in 1978, Melissa moved to Australian as a baby and grew up in Windang, on the South Coast NSW. Melissa established a career in advertising since 1999, and started portrait and still life painting in 2012. Melissa has been a finalist in many Australian Art Prizes including the Archibald Prize, Eutick Memorial Still Life Award, Kennedy Prize, Kilgour Prize, Pirtek Still Life Award, Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize, Brisbane Portrait Prize, Black Swan Portraiture Prize, Portia Geach Memorial Art Award, John Copes Portrait Prize and the Percival Portrait Prize. Melissa won Wollongong Art Gallery’s ‘Postcodes from the Edge Art Prize’ in 2016.

Commissions
Melissa's studio is in Wollongong‚ NSW