Thanks, Cynthia, for starting a thread that Mr. McCarty would likely have been shy to promote.

I've said before on this site, Mike, that you're a worker and a producer, and good on you. I admire and envy your work.

Keep it up.

And Cheers,
Steven

Thanks for the kind words Steven, and all others above.

I am planning to travel to Taos on May 3 for this event. Santa Fe is one of my favorite places but I have never been to Taos, so I am doubly excited.

:thumbsup: Well done Mike and a big Congrats to you. Love your work and this one particularly. Go for the gusto. Wonderful soft gentleness in her face.

!Muy Bien
 

Mike,
Beautiful piece. Good luck!

Mike,

David Leffel lives in Taos. Perhaps you could get to meet him and see his studio. Don't know if it would help to tell him you're a friend of mine and on my site. He's a good person to know.

Cynthia,

Thanks for the tip. I plan to be in the area for a few days and will do my best to weasel and schmooze my way into that situation.

And the winner is
 

Mike,

I've just seen a reproduction here at SOG and the allure of this piece is undeniable. It has SUCH a presence. When the judges see it they will feel the same as we do.

Wonderful News!
 

You're a star! Wonderful news. Much deserved.

Mike--

Just came across this post. This is a fantastic piece! You should be justifiably proud. Good luck!

Best as always--TE

Taos trip
 

Just a few words about my trip to Taos, NM.

I did not win any medals of distinction in the final judgement. There were 25 finalists selected from 125 entries from NM and the four surrounding states.

From the 25, one best of show was selected and four certificates of excellence.

The Milicent Rogers Museum is a very nice facility and the event was well attended during the two and one half hours that I was there. I have no complaints.

Taos is an artists dream. A rather smallish town in a valley within shouting distance of snow capped mountains in the northeast part of New Mexico. I would guess the town to be ten thousand feet asl. The tallest point in NM is one of the surrounding peaks at 13,150+-.

Every block in this town has at least three galleries. As we drove the nearby roads it was common to see artists working at their easels on the side of the road. Very inspiring.

The Rio Grande gorge is within a few miles to the west. Victoria and I took a three hour white water rafting trip down the Rio Grande, brrrr.

We stayed in a beautiful adobe B&B that was built in 1800 and thankfully recently remodeled. And except for some sort of accounting error at the local casino, the trip was about 8 and 3/4 on my 10 scale. Ten being reserved for my final ascent (wishful thinking perhaps).

I told Victoria, the model for the portrait which was in the event, that if she didn't go and stand alongside the portrait during the judging that I wouldn't have a chance. Was I wrong to say that? Well she didn't believe me but went along anyway.

Here are a few pic's to add to our travel portfolio.