I did a series for 130 days of self-portraits during lockdown spurred by Jennifer Moher a photographer I have admired for years. Her work is stunning, check it out.
I recently shaved my head and started to do another series of self-portraits, maybe I will create another series.
Here is a Facebook Post I wrote to share the story behind this decision and to also take the shock away from those around me.
Alright, guys, I didn't shave my head because I lost the plot. Since a lot of you are exhibiting a lot of shocked reactions when you see me I thought I would give the backstory here.
Before I start, this change has made me feel like a superhero so when you see me keep that in mind. Ok, here's the story.
I have had grey hair since high school and started to dye my hair in my early 30's. I did that for ages and would always feel self-conscious about my roots. I spent a lot of cash on covering them professionally then I started to box dye. For years.
I had a really bad breakup when I lived in Toronto and bleached my hair in my friend's kitchen. She actually had to go out and get another bleach kit during the whole process. It was a nightmare.
The breakup was devastating, we were planning a future together and had been friends since 2005, this was 2013. We dated for a long time and he eventually just left. He couldn't tell me that he didn't want to spend his life with me so he left. I broke and reacted by doing something crazy with my hair.
My friend's brother 'fixed' it as best he could and I paid him by dog-sitting his Great Dane Stuart when he went to his timeshare in Florida.
I was blonde for a while then started to pull it back to my natural colour, dark brown with a lot of red. I found a box dye I liked and used it for years. #75 Belle Colour. I have 4 boxes if anyone wants them-pandemic stockpiling doesn't always call for toilet paper.
I have been thinking about doing this for over a year now and doing the research too. Learning about how people react and how you might feel afterwards.
So I have not lost the plot. I am coming up on another milestone birthday and I want to celebrate it as me. I don't want to dye my hair anymore, be self-conscience about roots or hide under a colour.
This is me.
So keep your hair on the next time you see me.
Ok.
I will change my profile pic soon, just taking a few self-portraits and choosing the one I want.
Has there been a big change in your life that you felt you just wanted and really didn’t want to explain?
