Wow, David! Your Bhuddist Nun is outstanding in so many ways. I especially love her expression, the glowing light and the simplicity. And I really enjoyed seeing your first attempt at oils. Thanks for posting them both.

David,

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing and raising the bar.

Richard, thank you very much for your kind words.

Just make sure you don't have any flake white on your palette knife - you don't want to get lead poisoning! Really, thank you very much Linda. Coming from one as accomplished as yourself, your praise is cherished.

I'm not sure I want to enter any competitions you are in!! Call me, we'll work something out. Seriously, thanks so much for your positive feedback.

Jean, thanks so much.

Terri, thanks so much! You know when I got home last summer, and saw the photos of this nun, I knew they were good - my camera wasn't so hot and the color left something to be desired (I invented a bit) - they really did seem to capture something of her spirit. I only spent 15 minutes with her - she was a resident of this incredible 1500 year old temple complex, and she invited me into this little room - more like an alcove - to this little alter, to pray and burn a little incense. I didn't understand a word she said, but she just seemed to beam happiness. I was very impressed with her.

If the alternative is that you're tempted to destroy any of your gorgeous work, then I find that backing needleworks with paintings is great from a conservation standpoint. Or you can just give me some of them! Seriously Lisa, thank you, thank you, thank you! You rock!

I'm especially glad you like the first potrait - it seems like everybody likes the stupid nun portrait, and aren't giving Gridiron, Guts & Glory its due consideration!! :bewildere What's up with that? Thank you, Claudemir.

Alexandra, thank you so much! You should know that I wasn't going to post the "adolescent" painting until I saw the incredible pieces you did as a child. They were so delightful - I just want to say again: thank you so much for posting those. It was such a treat. You know, since painting is so new to me, I feel I'm at the beginning of a VERY steep learning curve - there is so much I don't know. Your comments are a real boost. Thanks.

John, thanks so much - you are quite kind.

Wonderful painting! Simple and dramatic composition, still, yet full of narrative. She makes me smile right back at her. Your paint handling ROCKS.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Cindy, thank you very much! I never thought I had (or ever would have) much of a sense of narrative in any of my work, so I am pleased that you think so. After seeing your awesome Ballerina Girl, I'm inspired to do a figurative piece before long...but I probably should do a few more simple portraits, to figure out what I'm doing.

This whole painting thing - I'm hooked. I can't wait to do more. I now SO envy any of you lucky ones out there who get to do this full time.
....someday...(sigh)... :(