Marina, I'm willing to venture an answer to your question . . .

They wanted to paint you, because you are beautiful.

And your artwork is beautiful, too, so much so that I'm sure many viewers are speechless and, so, won't be up to posting any response.

Can you do both -- paint and model?

Marina, Steven's on the right track--you have such an interesting and beautiful appearance, but it's also your inner beauty that I want to paint, and once you get to know someone you can say so much more in a portrait. (I'm hoping Garth and I won't be fighting too much over those reference photos! ;) )There is of course a long tradition of artists painting other artists, and we are just continuing it.

Steven, Alex,
of course, I understand why portrait artists want to paint interesting and beautiful people, I'm reacting the same way...
But I must say that I can be proud of my work, because it came from efforts and conscious decisions, and it's much more difficult to be proud of my appearance because I'm not responsible of it ( except maybe the choice of haircut and clothes, but it's so superficial...)

Anyway, I'm deeply honored to be the subject of such great painters I admire and I respect.
( You know that Peggy Baumgaertner took also reference photos at the museum? It was very funny just after Garth and Alex jumped on me with their cameras...)

I will pose for all those who ask me , promise! :sunnysmil

Garth, thanks for starting the thread and posting all of this revealing shots. I wish I could have been.

Can I paint the one where Alex and Marina are in the same photo? Garth could you send me the image if you and the two ladies do not mind? Thanx.

Marina, next Wednesday, my place ?

By the way, it would be really interesting if it was possible to create a portrait exhibition somewhere in Europe.
I submitted to a Nordic Portrait Exhibition here in Denmark and was rejected. They don't want real portraits in this country but videos and installments.

See you then, Wednesday ?

;) ;) ;)

Alex,
I will try my luck, over there in the States, next year, and if Marina don't show up Wednesday I will do the references then.

Garth, Great Photos!

What an exhusting 4 days. It was cool to see so many friends, and meet a ton of online friends in person. I'll try to get those ten dollar checks out to all of the folks that voted for my piece at the show. :) Thanks!

Allan, interesting that you suggested the European portrait exhibition. I am planing just that to be held in Frankfurt. I think that Frankfurt is a excellent location being that most European flights taxi here. First, I plan to have the competition for the local in the area artists then to have it German wide and then Europe wide. I am looking for partners. I also have other ideas as far as art exhibitions and competitions are concerned. I already have a place where the Frankfurt area competition will be held. There will be two categories of portraits exhibited one for your average portrait artists and then for on the spot in a defined number of hours portrait demo. Allan, we can do something similar for your area. What do you think? Anyone else like the idea and would like to get involved feel free to let me know.

Maybe this will be the way we can get Marina to pose for us, that is if she has her European ID.

Dear Garth, thanks a lot for sharing these pictures.
I sincerely hope I can attend this wonderful event in the future!

Mischa, your idea is very good. Especially the "on the spot" competition! I would like to help if I can, and would love to have the same kind of event in France and other countries in the South of Europe too. I am going to live in Asia for some time, but if I can do something to help developing the portrait artists community here in Europe, I will do my best. (maybe we could start a new thread about this, and exchange ideas for the future)

Dear Allan,
I would love to visit Denmark, but as my youngest daughter made me understand that she cruelly missed me this past weekend, I'm afraid that YOU have to visit Canada.
So, see you next wednesday ?

Mischa,
I'm feeling much more European than North American. I will get involved in such a project without a single hesitation !
I will think about this and post something in your new thread...

Marina, as good as those photos are, you look much better in person. Nevertheless, I do wish I had taken photos of you the evening that I had my camera out. It was (as always) a busy and hectic few days filled with non-stop information sharing and getting to know other artists.

I seem to have David Kassan in most of my photos. :) David, congratulations on being voted as People's Choice! The People have spoken!

I like this photo very much: Calvin Goodman and Michele Rushworth.