How can I incorporate elements of fantasy into parts of myself I observe?

After starting the year with a self portrait I found that I really enjoyed depicting myself in my art. Even if the piece is of just my hands and might not be recognizable to others, I challenged myself not to draw just any hand but my hand. I focused on replicating the details that make me unique like the lines on my palms or the placement of my freckles, so that I wasn’t just making a proportional face, but a face that is recognizable and truly my own. This has challenged me to completely draw from observation, rather than drawing an idealized or standard human face like I normally would. It was difficult at first but throughout the year I’ve been forced to embrace my physical features and highlight them through my art pieces.

On top of drawing from observation I have also attempted to incorporate elements of fantasy into my work to reflect my imagination and skew the constant reality I see in the mirror everyday. Each of my pieces have a “twist” that I’ve included to create an added element of whimsy beyond the realism. This challenges viewers to take a second glance. Pieces like “Nest Coiffure” appear realistic at first, but upon closer inspection they reveal the unexpected, alluding to an unfamiliar reality.