Hello from Qu
 

:sunnysmil Boy I am I happy to have found this place! Now I can finally talk to people who are as obsessed as I am with painting portraits.

I took my first painting class at the age of 12, but, I have been in love with drawing people for as long as I can remember.

I finished my college degree in art, but (unfortunately) followed my parent's advice and gave up art for a degree in administration. This led to a career in business and a hobby in art...it is a very frustrating place to be.

I teach at a local art school on my days off, just to keep in touch with fellow art lovers.

This summer, I left work to devote myself to improving my painting skills. Through this site, I am hoping to meet and exchange with people who are willing to share their opinions, critics and paintings.

So, if you have any contructive criticism, please feel free to let me know. I will do the same for you, I promise.

Welcome to the forum Denise! I'm sure that artists will be along to comment in short order. I'm just the administrator!

Hi Denise,

Welcome to the forums. I, myself, look forward to viewing more of your portrait work. Absolutely lovely.

I certainly can relate. That "work" thing gets in the way of my art also. Looking forward to the day that I can "work" harder at what I would like to.

Again, nice to have you here.

Geri

:) Boy am I happy you have joined us! Love your portrait and welcome!

WELCOME to my favorite place on the web! Your painting is fresh and strong and I look forward to see more...

"Just the administrator" does not seem an adequate description of Cynthia Daniel who patiently shepards us into the best grazing for constructive critiques and more.

I, also, kept my first love of painting as a quiet passion until 4 years ago when my husband accepted a CFO position and we relocated to Connecticut. I had to make a career decision and my darling asked the incredible question: "What would you really like to do?" The rest is history-in-the-making! His portrait is also in-the-making and I will post progress to the critique forum soon.

Now if I could only find a way for the laundry to wash itself and dinner to appear magically on the table, I could paint as much as I'd like to!!! :)

Hello Jeanine!

I guess we are both blessed with great husbands! Mine is taking care of our car dealership while I sit at home preparing a new life devoted to my passion! It was either finally do something about this urge to paint as a career or go crazy. Maybe it's because I just turned 40? All I know is that I am loving every second of it.

Who is the person in your new portrait? Do you always do an underpainting?