How can I add missing avatar/profile pictures in Messages?

In the new Messages application introduced with Mountain Lion, I cannot see my own avatar.

This is happening even though my Messages.app email is linked with my contact in Contacts.app.

No Avatar appears when I text in Messages:

But I do have an avatar in Contacts:

Solution 1:

You can set your own avatar, one that is even different from the one in your address book with the following menu selection:

Messages → Change my Picture...

Solution 2:

This looks like a bug but as a workaround you can set the avatar by using the Buddies window:

1. open Window > Buddies
2. click the avatar box at the top right to select an image or just drag & drop an image on this avatar box

Apparently, the Buddies window shows up only if you have a "classic" IM account setup too, like GTalk or AIM.

Solution 3:

I guess the contact picture on your contacts is from Facebook? If so, Messages does not seem to see it. The picture has the be "set" in the Contacts.app, not imported through Facebook (or Twitter, I guess).