Marina, thank you. :)

Seasoned means 'experienced' and Pro is short for 'professional' - meaning those artists that do this full time for a living.

Kim,
Alex took the words out of my keyboard.
I also like how you have subdued the values of the skin. It's a lovely shadow area and the black shirt is just right, those low key areas really makes the Egyptian? skirt glow.. .. :thumbsup:

Allan

Simply stunning Kim! I, too, love those saturated colors against the cool background, and the lean, and the wind. The title is perfect too.
Just Gorgeous!

Thank you Allan! You know, I dont know what you would call the print on that skirt. It's actually mine, and I bought it at Old Navy - I thought it looked like it could be from India. I used this skirt in Creative Dance and I also have another of this model in the same outfit, same setting - just a slightly different pose that Im working on now. That scarf has been in many paintings also.

Thank you Terri!
Im glad you like the name, I didnt come up with it until I was finished and usually I have one long before that. For some reason I really get into naming my paintings. Someone told me once that it was because Im bossy and want to tell everyone what to think about them. Nah. That couldnt be it. :sunnysmil

Best of show. Best composition. Best use of color.
All together now:
Best of show. Best composition. Best use of color.
Once more with feeling:
Best of show. Best composition. Best use of color.

I don't know about the bossy part, but I do know that titles are powerful marketing tools. Yours is perfect. In marketing body text, titles account for 50 to 80% of the draw. Keep using great titles.

I keep looking at this painting because all three diagonal work so well. It finally dawned on me that each are stopped by the column. Was that an intentional stop to keep the eyes from going out of the painting? In any case it is a masterful use of diagonals and a visual stop.

awww Mike - I feel like I have a cheerleader.
(any chance you'd put on one of those skirts?) ;)

Richard - while I was aware of the diagnols and columns and instinctively registered this - it was also partially a lucky find in real architecture where I posed the model. I guess I didnt 'plan' this in advance of the model arriving - but I did recognize it's potential as I started posing her.

I have a couple close ups. I was waiting for someone to ask. The heck with you all then - Im just going to post them anyway. :D

The "WOW" Factor
 

Kim, it seems that all the adjectives in the English language have been taken so I'll just say ditto to them and tell you that your painting made me suck in my breath and say, "Wow! That's retina burn!!! I LOVE everything about it. Thanks for posting the details. I plan to print it out and use it for inspiration.

Oh this one knocks my socks off, Kim! It is marvelous. I love the "face into the wind" effect you have here - it really seems to suit your style. I love the composition and the feeling of movement - what a winner this one is!

I Can't Stop Staring
 

Kim,

I love every thing about this painting. I especially enjoy looking at your subject. She has that certain type of beauty that makes me unable to stop watching her strike that gaze into her world.

I also think, as someone else commented on, the composition has a very intelligent rhythm about it. It's very comfortable to look at all the elements of the work.

The use of your colors completely brings out the raw beauty of this lovely creation.

~Gear