[Morris Darby]

I am a part-time portrait artist. I have been pursuing portraits for over six years. I work with other artists in the area to continue the learning process of light/shadow, values, and especially likeness. Each of us points out to each other what they see or what they think the piece needs.

Here we do the same thing...and with much more experienced artists. What a field of treasures! On some of my early pieces Steve Sweeney critiqued what I thought were my very best works. He picked through them and nice as he is, it was still hard for me to take (if I can find the file I'll post it soon). However, and no matter how nit picky I thought it was (axis of the base of the nose not aligned with chin and forehead), I look at that piece today and see every minute detail he presented. My following works have none of those and by great measure are far superior works than that one.

My theory: if those who are offended will just leave, we'll have only those here who are willing to learn. If you just want to draw and have fun, get some of your family to tell you how it looks. If you want to paint portraits, then it is a highly technical field and life-long pursuit and is had by many professionals who started just as we are.

My passionate thanks to all here who are willing to take time out of their professional careers to help a struggling artist like myself to better himself and someday take the stage and awards along beside them.