I will disagree with you on this one, but otherwise great intro into self portrait. I am reminded about Matsui Fuyuko (check out her work that is almost entirely “self portrait” expressed through nihonga. She contemplates about narcissism taken to a point of madness which in intself can lead to an enlightenment in rare cases…

But back to the subject, self portrait does not always equals to actual intimacy or honesty, as honesty and intimacy does not equals self portrait. You should know it if you dwell deep into subject of intimacy…

in my case I found that some of my work represents me better and more intimate than my face or whatever I can do with self portrait. being the reason i am not very much into it. talking from experience I found out that its often the main drive – an excitement of finding yourself reflected in other things beside mirror…