Hello Everyone. I am glad to be finally a member of this fine group. Several years ago I began to benefit from and enjoy looking through the various messages/images on the forums. However, I didn't want to apply for membership until I finished authoring a technical reference book and until I had the time to write the code for my own web page. Well, the book has been out for a few years and the web page has just been finished. And, I now have much more time to paint. I am looking forward to participating in this forum. Here in the middle of Michigan in the country it is very peaceful, but there are not too many realistic portrait artists nearby to chat with!