[Brenda Ellis]

Alexandra,
I feel like I'm there in the woods looking at this painting. It's in the afternoon and it's about 74 degrees and there is jus the slightest of breezes rustling the leaves in the trees. It's late summer or fall. Calgon take me away! I must need a vacation. But I think it's more than that; I think you are an excellent painter and I love this portrait. Your mother is very lucky.
You did a stunning job matching the light on both your mother and the cabin.
Also, I notice that the slightly muted colors gives that feeling of that haze you experience when you're looking in the direction of the sun when the sunlight is being filtered through trees. It is so perfect in that regard. It looks to me like you did everything perfect. It's lovely.