[Garth Herrick]

Hey Garth,

Welcome to the Forum, and Happy New Year!

You are the first "Garth" I've encountered in a very, very long time. The last other Garth I actually communicated with was back around 32 years ago in junior high (yes, there actually were two Garth's in the same school, and during third grade, the same class)! Gosh, I hope things don't start getting confusing around here. Now I guess I will have to call myself Garth H. I don't know about your experience with the name, but for me, if someone called "Garth" from accross a crowded room (or Forum), I could be pretty sure they were addressing only me. But alas, no more! Such a common name we share, Garth!

These two portraits of yours are original, and rich in complex detail painted with sensitivity. It's facinating to me to see your approach to portraiture from photographic resources, because I am working from similar ones. At first glance, I did not realize these, and your other painting of your grandfather were not the photographs, but paintings, with their faithful rendering. I would be interested in knowing your thoughts about the challenges of using photographs as primary painting resources, but I suppose it would be better to discuss that at length within another section of the Forum.

It's nice to have you here sharing your paintings, and I will look forward to seeing more of your works represented.

Sincerely,

(the other) Garth