Way to go Jimmy. It is a great painting! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Jimmie if you could just show me the way to sharpen a pastel pencil without breaking the tip off when it's just where I want it, I will be eternally grateful!
;)

Great news, Jimmie. Congratulations!

Congrats Jimmie! Your works are always an inspiration to me. :sunnysmil I just revisited your site. Great stuff my man!

~Gear

Congratulations, Jimmie! This is great news. I love this pastel. I'm so happy for you!

Congratulations, Jimmie! You certainly deserve it!

Very cool, Jimmie!

Ha, ha folks, I saw the original and this photo DOES NOT do it justice. It must have popped off the wall and grabbed the judge by the eyeballs!

Congratulations JIMMIE!

Wow, thank you guys so much, I'm blushing!

Oh Beth, that's VERY easy, the trick is that you stop using your pencils and use Nupastels or Polychromos sharpened with a blade instead. Just messing with you, I have a Boston brand pencil sharpener that has a few different openings, you pick one slightly bigger (that depends on the brand you use of course) and kinda let the pencil "float" in there. if you shove it, it'll break for sure, but if you put it in there softly with some play, and SPIN the pencil, it usually comes to a decent point without weak wood. Sorry if that sounded perverted. Hope it works.

Thanks again guys!!!

I am so very happy for you!

Jimmie,
What a year you have had. and we all have known it was only a matter of time, that your unique and beautiful work would be recognized and rewarded. I am honored and delighted to have watched your progression since I joined the forum.

You are talented but so very dedicated, that you have been such an inspiration to me. I wish I had 10% of your stamina.

This is just so well deserved, Jimmie. Congratulations. Oh yeah, throw in a hair demo too ;)

Sharon, I am so jealous you saw this piece in person!