Looks like I read it right the first time around and wishful thinking influenced that second read. Both portrait images are to be live with the second one having some flexibility to be from a photo so long as I took it. That one would be easy since I try to do all my own photography.

Way back twenty years ago when I was a teen in classes and art groups I did lots of modeling to help pay my way through art classes. It is not at all easy to sit still for live painting sessions. I guess that background is what makes me cringe to ask it of others.

Maybe I can do a live self portrait using a mirror. Perhaps I can draft my husband or one of the kids for a modeling session stretched out over a few weeks. I feel like I will torture my family, client, or community volunteer by having them sit still for the length of time it will take for a live painting. It will also mean wedging a submission portrait into my schedule when if I could submit a commission from photography, I can apply without interfering with my orders.

Since most of the artists in Stroke of Genius work from photos they take, I am not sure why the live model portrait(s) are necessary to apply for the forum. Perhaps it is fear that artists will not understand how photography can have distortions of perspective and color. But this is not a lacking in basic drawing abilities which seems to be the reasoning behind the juried review process. Instead, this is a more advanced topic that even professional portrait artists deal with.

Thanks Julie. You must have been typing this in at the same time I typed in my last post.

I think I will just plan on a self portrait. Just me sitting still. That is easy. I am good at being still. LOL. Then, so no one has to look at my mug twice (heaven forbid, hehehehe), I will select a photo-based portrait of one of my clients.

Tammy Moore

I paint to escape the pain of depression from grief. I enjoy your forums, they are a wonderful learning tool.

Elizabeth

Guest
 

I have been looking over the site and admiring all the beautiful work. I am wondering where and if I would fit into a site like this one or if I would be totally kicked off. I grew up in the photography buisness but my passion has always been art. When I became serious about my work I always wanted to find a way to bring them both togeather. I consider my painting medium digital. All of my paintings are finished either on watercolor paper or canvas. All of my canvas paintings are finished with brushstrokes, sprayed and stretched on stretcher bars. My paintings are created from many photographs selected by my clients and then put togeather into a painting. I guess I am just wondering if I would be excepted by this website as an artist. I have a website that has my paintings on it and also photographs that I have taken. The reason I am asking is because I really want to do my paintings exclusive and use my photography background as a tool. What do you think?
www.artistictouchstudio.com
Noel Steele

hugs to you ((Elizabeth)). I am sorry you are grieving.

This is not quite accurate. You are not ever expected to post any portrait work. But, you would not believe the number of people who have registered, been approved and have never posted one single time. The number is quite high. It gets discouraging for those who put the time into the jury process. We only ask that if someone registers that they participate to some extent, here and there, now and then - it could be a couple of times a year. We certainly don't have any exact requirement that someone post - it's just puzzling that people go through the jury process and then never post. See what I mean?

The "from life" requirement has been removed. I thought that I changed all the references to it. Hmmm. You are are welcome to apply without life portraits.

You have my sympathies, Elizabeth.

Horray!

If it will help, the reference about painting from life is at http://forum.portraitartist.com/register.php?

Tammy Moore

Hi Noel,

Only the moderators can answer your question. I just wanted to say that I liked your work very much and I think you'd be a great help to those interested in photograph. I think Mike would be happy to have someone to help him answer our questions.
I hope to see you here soon.