[Sylvia Castellanos]

I have been reading, and learning from, the postings of others on this unique forum. Tonight I have set aside time to formally introduce myself.

Painting faces has always been my passion, and I have been working at it for longer than I care to think. Everything about it fascinates me, from the nuances of skin tones to the challenge of conveying character and feelings.

My work is divided between standard portraits and paintings I do because a face catches my attention. In the latter group, my focus is very international. I have lived in Philadelphia for many years; but because my background is from Latin America and I have spent years living there, Hispanic themes are a recurring subject matter for me.

Since I am allowed to post four pictures, I have chosen two standard portraits and two paintings of subjects I found interesting. In the former group, the first is a painting of the late Pope John Paul II I did a few years ago, and which I now have on loan to the Pope John Paul Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.

I know I shall learn much here. I look forward, as well, to exchanging ideas and observations with the very gifted people on this forum, and to their inspiring me to keep developing.