Denise:

Thanks for your encouraging words. Trying to get this 17 year old, 6'4" athlete to bring himself to sit was quite an undertaking, but I agree with you, somewhere down the road it will have much more meaning to him. He's much more occupied with baseball and football than Dad's paintings.

Linda:

Thanks for confirming what I felt about this painting. I feel that I am picking up more of those "subtle" temperature variations than I have in the past. I attribute that to two things: 1) working from life 2) studying paintings of other artists. One area that I need to overcome is the feeling of wanting to rush the painting when I am working from a model. I feel as if I need to hurry up and get them "out of there", as if I am inconveniencing them.

Beth:

We should do that. We might create a connection here! Good to hear from you.

This painting has such a nice feel to it, Mike! It invites you to get to know your son as allot of personality seems to eminate from the expression and your rendering.

Pat,

Thanks for the compliment. If we get fortunate enough to to capture the likeness of the subject that's great, but beyond the we want the painting to be inviting, to have the viewer want to take a second and third look to not only try to understand the artist but the subject also. That's a humbling and much appreciated compliment you gave. Thanks Again!