Working on a selfish portrait

It's freezing in the studio today!  The heater dries my palette out, so I bundle up to paint.  And yes, I crocheted the hat.

I'm working on a new painting, a reflection of my grade school self playing a game of cat's cradle.  Although I haven't painted the string wrapping around the fingers, yet, the subject will be inviting you to play.   I guess he's saying "it's your turn".  A simple piece of string can become a complex formation, with a little help...

I'll post more when I'm done.
 -Derek