Thank you Michele & Julie. :D

Julie, you're invited along with Janet - in fact - you're all invited, even if you don't want to see the painting. I could use a good party. Besides, there are enough Thanksgiving leftovers I wouldn't have to cook. :o

Great work Kim, this one I think is your best ..and the hands were fabulous right from the start -well done!

What a terrific job Kim. This is now my favorite work of yours. What was the motivation behond the composition?

Hi Kim,

As you already know from WIP, I'm so impressed with this painting! It's definitely one of my favorites. Something exciting it happening with your work, and I have the feeling this is only the beginning.

Alex

Thank you folks.

Linda, Im not sure if your asking where the idea came from or just the composition? There werent many considerations of the composition once I saw her hands. That and her one pseudo-squinting eye is all I had on my mind. The reference shot was really blown out on the hands as well, but I didnt care...I kinda liked the effect. Actually...I wasnt at all sure I could pull off the eye convincingly.

If your asking how the idea came about it was a collaboration with the model I suppose. She is a great one - give her a few inspirational words and she will try out different poses. I can't remember what I was asking her to try....but it wasnt anything to do with 'Charity'. As soon as I saw this - that is what I thought though.

Sometimes I come up with an idea fully realized before I start (like my No Evil painting or Unrequited) - but more often than not I have a model I want to use, maybe a prop, maybe a certain pose....and as I am taking photos ideas come to me that are more narrative in nature and I will direct the model more specifically then. Occasionally I dont realize a narrative until I see the photos when I am downloading them.

In other words - I still have no idea what I am doing most days. Which isn't so bad actually - I like suprises. :cool:

Kim, I can't even express the way I feel about this painting. It makes me want to quit everything I am doing and do everything in my power to paint like this. I have always liked your paintings, but this is truly amazing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Omygod!
 

Kim, out of all the gorgeous paintings I have seen you do, THIS ONE is AMAZING to me! The mood and the 'feel' of this is so inspiring, (and I haven't done portraits in a LONG time) it makes me want to immediately break out my oils and get to painting! TRULY BEAUTIFUL!
Jen

Wow, what great responses! Thank you Mary & Jennifer! :sunnysmil

You know I was only kidding about sending Linda a check, right? I can't possibly afford to pay all of you. ;)

Kim,
Back from a two weeks vacation it is nice to see all the hard labor people have put into the art of art. ;)

Your "Charity" turned out well, I like it very much and think it is one of your best. I like the frontal, symmetrical composition, that makes the small diversions, like the squinting eye and the movement of the hands, so much stronger.

I feel that you maybe are turning into a stronger way of expression, judging from the bold strokes and and the simplicity of the composition.

Allan

Thank you Allen for your nice comments!

I also appreciated the discussion we had privately about it as well and took your comments seriously. I didnt realize the Danish had to look up so many words, no wonder you type so slow. ;)