Catherine in pastels
 

Just finished this one, still trying to keep loose. unison pastels on sansfix paper

Margaret,

Another very soulful piece. Your portraits always look like you know the sitter very well. Love the way you handle the colours.

Thank you Carlos, I suppose I do know my sitters well, I've been concentrating on portraying family and friends so far.

Do you find that establishing rapport with commissioning sitters is very important to the final picture?

Yes, Margaret, I personally think so since in the final analysis, what we are supposed to do is portray as well as record. But then again, that is not always possible (establishing a rapport, that is) given the circumstances at any given moment or project, in which case the result is an image in which the artist is reflected somehow. And that itself is not a bad thing either.

Your question sounds more like it was directed to all in general, so it would be nice to hear what others say. Again, very nice work!

Margaret, every time I look at your work, it makes me want to just go for it and let loose. My work is at the other spectrum of your (rather tight in style) and it just looks like so much fun to establish such great form in a looser style. Very nice work! I also love your color choices.

Thanks for your comments, Enzie

Your own website contains lovely work; I especially liked the skin tones you used in 'African Woman'
I know what you mean about working against an inclination to work 'tight', I've been trying for ages!
What about trying pastels and just going for it? It 's great fun.....

Margaret,

Powerful and beautiful to look at! I love the way you choose and apply the different colors. There is so much depth in the characterization. You keep geting better and better!

That's very kind of you, Alexandra.
Have to admit, I'm quite pleased with this one, it's getting closer to what I'm trying to express Think I'll enter her for a local exhibition in December.
Thank you for your encouragement.

Margaret,

A terrifically strong and emotional piece. Beautiful job.

Thank you very much for your encouraging comments Chris, much appreciated.