[Jimmie Arroyo]

Hi Pat, hope you don't mind my 2 cents. I also like the contemporary feel of the first one. I would soften the bottom eyelashes tho, not the strong separated look that it has. I would'nt lighten them, as she has made them part of her persona, but kinda smudge them together, but keep the contrast.

The second does'nt feel like her (i'm just reading into it, not like I know her), it feels as if she's posing to how she thinks YOU want her to pose, not being herself.

If the purpose is to do a portrait of her, not just a face, I'd avoid that one, but then again, you know her more than me! The stars on her chest would have been a nice addition to the composition working together with the piercings. Move up the middle star or drop her blouse a bit so they're not sharing the same line. Here's an example of a Photo-"chopped" image, faded off towrds the bottom. Hope it helps.