I thought I would post something about Craig Wylie, an artist I went to university with. He is currently short-listed for the 2008 BP Portrait Award with this painting:
http://www.craigwylie.com/ .
This is an example of his early work from a decade ago:
http://www.craigwylie.com/?p=24
and this:
http://www.craigwylie.com/?p=62
This is another example of his current painting:
http://www.craigwylie.com/?p=89
and this:
http://www.craigwylie.com/?p=25
I don't really like it - the later work, that is - but I do admire how good he has become. I thought it is interesting to see how well one can improve with focus and determination.