Icy Stare
by quiche

Comment:
VERY Dr. Caligui-esque.

Self: In Mapplesque
by iamkmaniam

Comment:
There really isn't anything here that particularly reads "Mapplethorpian" to me--I mean, the kitschy leather boots can only "read" so far--and they, and the nudity are the Mapplesque signifiers here. In essence, you're piggybacking on someone else's reputation, using it to do most of the work for you.

The lighting doesn't really work here for me at all. My eye keeps being pulled to the strange triangulation of shadow on the chest, rather than to the portrait as a whole. Mapplethorpe's lighting is far more, hmm, I guess the best word would be precise (in fact, I find that the lighting is often the most interesting thing about Mapplethorpe's portraits). And the pose seems strangely demure for a portrait proclaiming to be "In Mappleseque."

Self Portrait
by zeus0826

Comment:
This isn't one thing or the other--it isn't "finished" enough to be a glossy self-portrait or grungy/off-hand enough to feel like a snapshot. Nor is there anything particularly striking in the expression to be memorable. Sorry.

"I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am."
by Lola_dublin

Comment:
I think you're relying a little too much on the Plath quote to do the work of the portrait for you. Take it away, and there is nothing here that really says "Bell Jar" to me.

Chipped & worn, still clear bright
by mgsmith53

Comment:
This caught my eye because it is quirky in a garishly interesting way. The title does too much explaining for my taste, but I love the smeary bleary colored lights. Thank you for challenging the challenge with something that isn't so straightforward.

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea
by Bear_Music

Comment:
The crazy beard makes this for me, both echoing and reinforcing the play in the background, both of the landscape and the few stray hairs. I assume this was shot on a windy day--hair doesn't grow that way naturally!

Very Hemingwayesque, despite the Mishima title. I'm not sure the title really fits.