Dear Garth,

What a marvelous painting - original and compelling composition!
I agree with LInda, I keep leaning over to look at you straight on. Gorgeous skin tones.

Post more!

I, too have seen this posted somewhere else - but I think this is where it really belongs: as the inaugural nude which sets a definitive standard for this new section of the forum.

Just wonderful, Garth. Thoughtful, insightful, powerful (plus other positive adjectives ending with the same suffix) - this is a figurative work to make one stop and think past the marvelous handling of paint for which Garth is renowned.

I'm very happy that this new section of the forum has magically appeared!

A Head Shot:
 

Dear Chris and Rob,

Thank you both so much for your very high praise. Careful! It might go to my head! :D

Here is a closer look at my head. Obviously there is a lot of texture in the background:

Garth

WOW Garth, this is absolutely stunning! That transformed blue gourd on the column reads like a rock (to me anyway), adding more weight to that oppressive column head and you so claustrophobically human underneath. Wonderfully original and compelling! (oh... :bewildere guess Chris already said that!... there just aren't enough words to describe this!)

Thanks for posting the closeup!

Well, I waited too long to post - and everyone has said what I wanted to say! LOL

So I'll just add - BRAVO!

What an incredibly compelling image. And, when I grow up I want to paint skin just like you. :)

Garth, another beautiful piece. (like we would expect anything else, duh)

Out of curiosity, have you done other self-portraits over the years? Wondering if this painting would be possible if you started painting it today. Not technically, but emotionally. It still feels like you have personal burdens, but how to portray yourself today would be interesting to see. Maybe you should celebrate the painting's ten year anniversary by painting an update? I'm sure we would more anxious awaiting it's completion than you would be! ;)

Can't say it enough, but your work is truly incredible.

It's just as cool seeing it again as it was the first time I got a look at this Garth, expressive, good work. :)

Kudos to Cynthia for deciding to open the figurative and nude sections.

I second Jimmie's suggestion! No pressure, Garth - but come on! The modeling fees can't be all that expensive!;)

Garth,
What a perfect opening to the new section. It

Ah, I love this new section and I agree - what a fitting piece to start it off with. Garth, this is just so twisted and bizarre, yet so very interesting. I too would love to see how you would paint yourself today.