Ellie
 

Not sure if I'm worthy of this seasoned professional category with all the unbelievably talented artists who post here, although I am a full time artist now, but I'll give it a try and see if I get booted off. Here is Ellie , my latest, and my two year old niece, 16x20 oil on linen.

Mark, I meant to respond to this earlier. I think you've done a charming job here with your niece, especially in the colors of the white dress and in the diagonal of darkness you've placed behind her. Your paint handling could almost be a pastel, it's soft and convincing. Thanks for posting this.

Very nice. I don't know how I managed to miss seeing this one earlier, too.

Can you post a clearer shot of it? The photo seems a bit blurry or else was saved with too much jpeg compression. A closeup of the face might be good to look at, if you get the chance.

Mark,

I "don't get around much anymore," but having this thread recharged gave me a push to walk through your website gallery, a pleasant Saturday morning stroll. The guitar gallery reminded me of how remiss I've been in failing to include in my own work some of the miscellaneous instruments sitting around my life.

You are capturing well some very interesting moments in your young subjects' lives. It's always good, too, to see the plain white dress handled in a way that does justice to what is in fact a complex reflection and refraction of many colors, warm and cool.

Having grown up in Montana, I of course am instantly drawn to your landscape rendition. Oddly, my inclination has been to do more work out in your area, Maryland, where my daughter has been exploring the college experience for approximately many tuition dollars' worth of time. Spring will bring graduation, and perhaps a road trip with a French easel.

Maybe I can catch one of your band's gigs.

Nice work.