Thank you Jeff! It appears that most of my charcoal-sanguine drawings look like painting. I'm glad you told me that: it means that this one makes no exception...

Lisa,
thanks a lot!

Thomasin,
yes I was relax to draw this one, like you with your lovely watercolor, I just allowed me more sentimentality and sweet emotion than in my drawing "Unveiling"...

Thanks Garth!
I was interrested to see if I could developp an athmosphere different from a simple black backgroung, keeping just those 3 colors. I'm glad you think it works.
About the child's book, it's a good idea! I don't remember if I already showed you the one I made in collaboration with my mother who is a bookbinder : I had fun doing this, though it was a challenge to paint a figure so small! (3,5" x4,5" )

Hi Enzie!
I missed this also when my first daughter was a baby... I'm happy that I grow as an artist quick enough to give life to my ideas, as my second daughter grows too... She is my favorite model, because she is generally available, ( and she learned this pose since she was really small...She was also my model in " cherub"). I sometimes have other young models, and I like to change, but everything seems so easy with my own daughter as it became a game she likes to play ( and she's becoming a good actress!)
thanks for the comment.

Marina, this is delightful as ever. She does not only look cute, I think she looks as a little bored fairy that is about to cause mayhem!

Ilaria

Wow, Marina! Every time you post, I can't imagine how you would top this one--but you manage to! I can't get over how you can use this adorably cute child to create something that is so un-cute, so powerful, so archetypal. The bird is incredible, too. Every element seems to imply meaning, but the meaning is not trite or obvious. I love the mysterious monochromatic background, like a forest in a fairy tale. There is a powerful drive and vision in your work.

I enjoyed seeing your beautiful illustration for the children's book, too. Writing and illustrating children's books was my first ambition, and I would still like to do it some day.

Another excellent, exquisite piece, Marina! You pose your children in such a unique, unaffected, and natural way. This, coupled with your mastery and dominion of your medium make your work truly irresistible, and a joy to keep coming back to look at. (and that tiny bookcover is such a little gem!)

Congratulations!

I'm hesitant to ask, because I hate to pry, but could you speak to the metaphorical meaning of the work? The child with bird metaphor held a specific meaning at the turn of the 20th century - what does it mean in this work?

Beautiful, charming, atmospheric and sensitive work as always - Marina, you just keep getting better and better.

Fabulous piece - I'd hang that on my wall in a heartbeat.

I can't say it any better than everyone else has - but, I share their sentiments.

Part of what I love about your style is it never looks forced. Everything seems to flow properly into the next, shadows are kept indistinct, your edges are perfectly soft where they need to be and hard where they need it, too. It's the work of a truly mature artist.

Marina--

I can't add to everyone's comments except to say that your work has been a major contribution to the Forum, in that, as Alex has said, you've shown us how to re-invision children's portraiture. Your subjects are no less cute or charming, but your treatment of them is so unconventional and deeply felt it makes them as complex and important as they are in life.

Terrific as always!