Before the show panic

[Vianna Szabo]

Hi everyone.

I am hanging a solo show at a university on Wednesday, October 6th. I entered several pieces in another show that is occurring at the same time thinking that maybe one painting would get in. All three pieces were accepted and now I am in full panic mode trying to make up for those pieces. I'm very happy to have this happen but feel it's a little ironic since this is a show that is usually very difficult to get anything in. Anyway, this is a pastel ,11" x 10", that I painted yesterday. I would really appreciate any critique. I'm hoping to use it for the 6th.

Thanks,
Vianna

[Sharon Knettell]

Vianna,

This is a really lovely head with very wonderful warm color.

I always feel, just before I post or exhibit, that my work is the silliest, most incompetent piece of garbage that anyone would dare to show. I think this is because we are aware of all the places we have struggled with and are not sure we have won. They are filed away in our minds like memory chips.

A few minor areas, I would revist, the tip of the nose looks a bit too big and flat, but I don't know your subject. A touch of refinement might seem in order. The sweep of the green garment could go from a slightly lighter green to a darker green to push the right shoulder back a bit, very delicately though. I think the area to the left, the shoulder area , needs to be lighter, stronger and more simplified to come forward. I am not sure, I like that arbitrary line coming off the hair to the left.

These are just some small suggestions. You should have every confidence in this piece.

[Vianna Szabo]

Thank you Sharon,

My panic has eased some and I am trying to be more objective. I appreciate your words of support. I guess we have all been there. I made some of the corrections you mentioned and it did help the painting, especially changing the value of the right shoulder. It gave the body more dimension. Thank you again.

Vianna

[Michele Rushworth]

This really is a beautiful and sensitive piece. I love the colors and the somewhat wistful expression of the subject. I do agree with Sharon that some refinement in the shoulder areas might be in order, but you can still feel very proud to put this in the shows.

[Vianna Szabo]

Thank you Michele, those are very kind words and I appreciate the encouragement. I did make the change in the shoulder area and it really helped the piece. I was going to post the changes but I sent it off to a friend for framing, thanks again!