Thanks so much Geary!

Gosh! Just for the record, I did not pay you to say any of those complimentary kind words which I sincerely appreciate. Actually, my friend, I am at a loss of words to properly thank you! Even in a small way, I am glad to be a help and remedy.

Garth

Well, I missed this the first time out. I have a good excuse: I'm in the middle of a painting (okay it's a l**dscape, shh!).

As if I could add to all the well-deserved praise for this effort...! I could give you my first impression: love the too-big shoes! I have a 7 year-old who is always dressing up with friends, and the attitudes and postures of these girls are spot on. I've been witness to this kind of scene so often lately, so I can attest to the accuracy.

The wonderful feel of this painting could not be achieved without your masterful application of paint. I'm learning so much about edgework and softening of detail from observing your stuff, Garth. My sincere thanks to you for sharing it.

Dear Rob,

Thanks so much! I can relate to your insight (my girl's eight).

I suppose you are doing something in honor of St. Patrick's Day, given your signiture. Put a little green in your "l***scape"! I hope we can see it sometime.

Well I should announce that I've updated every image in this thread today with stronger clearer ones; and in honor of the holiday, better greens!

Enjoy!

Garth

Hi Garth,

I just wanted to add my admiration for this painting also. I love everything about it and those dresses are just "dreamy"! Thank you also for posting the close-ups.

Congratulations,

Julie
________
SMOKING KILLS

Garth,

Just saw this today.
You have a way of handling white that is very enviable. Just had to add my congratulations to this whole thread, even if I think you might find it redundant. You have my humble respect...

Carlos

Thanks so much Julie, and Carlos!

Your enthusiasm is so much appreciated, and I don't think my head is actually particularly swelled yet from all the positive responses. I am still surprised and dumbfounded by it all.

Julie, I get the sense you know a thing or two about sewing (from your website). I appreciate your insight on the dresses being successful.

Carlos, I really found managing all that white a challenge, in paint. There are many layers building up this white. There was no preset plan or strategy, but it just took a lot of repainting to get the whites to behave and fall into place on the canvas. I still think thre is much room for improvement. I loved how dramatic the play of light was across the white fabric in the reference photo; but I had to dumb it down and make it more high key, to keep from having to paint everything else too darkly in value. Getting a credible photo of this painting to post here, without blowing out all the whites was another challenge. There actually are a lot of subtle colors weaving in and out of this whiteness that get lost in the reproduction here.

Given the quality of some of your works I've seen, Carlos, you have my humble respect too. Julie, your digital approach to art is one I've never thought of.

Best,

Garth

Arianna and Taylor, -Times Two!!
 

I am flabbergasted, but I just received a serious commission this afternoon to paint this portrait once again! Someone likes it that much! So I am going out tonight to get some more canvas stretchers. I do already have a version of this portrait that I left half done, a while back. Now, there's a reason to finish it!

Has anyone else had a request like this? I have painted two official portraits of the late Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., but have never been asked to paint a duplicate of children in a garden.

Happy Easter to All,

Garth

Wow, are these relatives of the girls?

Congratulations! We told you it was, eh, pretty ok ;)

Thanks Mary,

No, no relation. The client was viewing this forum, and has only seen the images posted here!

Garth

Garth, congratulations! This really does have a universal appeal.

Wondering if there are any thorny issues with a situation like this-- with regards to using the girls' likenesses? (Does your model's release cover a situation like this?) --Just curious.