[Tom Edgerton]

Dan,

It's going to be a great piece.

One thing to consider, if you put in a specific historical or architectural background, it may add interest in a way, and show off your painting skills. It thus makes it a historical document, with that girl as your prototype Joan.

BUT - the misty, indistinct background lets all young girls project themselves into the painting as the subject, which may be empowering also, and takes it out of a historical context and makes it timeless. Being a minimalist myself, this appeals to me graphically too.

OR - you could go with a mythical, rocky landscape with a lot of distance and mist, but no architecture to date it. Sort of a "Lord of the Rings," New Zealand look. Or see Leonardo's "Mona Lisa" or "Virgin of the Rocks."

Really eager to see it finished. Good luck!

Tom