Thank you to everyone for your replys. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but life has been been crazy as I was busy with wrapping some things up before I took off a few days for the portrait conference.
Regarding my "problem portrait", I had hung it on my studio wall until I was mentally ready to tackle it. Now that I am back from the portrait conference I feel rejuvenated and ready to conquer this problem! Next week I will hopefully get to this portrait. I think I will first finish up a couple of enjoyable pieces.
Margaret, good idea to go in with turp and a bristle brush after I scrape away.
I am still feeling frustrated in how I handled the customer (or rather how she handled me). Definitely a good learning experience and will be one of those commissions that I will talk about years from now.
Mary