Thank you for your comments Claudmir, Carlos, Michele, and Chris. Funny how most people will prefer a happy expression for their home, but as you point out Carlos, some of the most notable sculptures in history are anything but happy.
I think I've come to the point as a portrait artist, when I'm tired of "pleasant" on most every face. There are so many interesting and provocative emotions that can be displayed on a human face. My least favorite to see is a big grin with teeth on a sculpture. That really creeps me out in fact.
Chris, since you have seen me in person, I'll take that compliment - thanks! And that is an excellent marketing suggestion! Everyone has a range of expressions - why should anyone settle for being imortalized with just one?

Heidi, I think you should enter this in a competition.

I may give that a try for the fun of it Alexandra - if I ever finish this, that is. Have any suggestions?

Here's where I left off on the "happy" version a while ago. I haven't been sculpting at all lately. I think I will just mold it as-is since it is at about the same stage as the one that will be mounted with it, and I already have the base made.

This has been a downer of a month. After several (4) unsuccessful attempts at minimally invasive surgeries in the past 5 weeks, this Thursday my husband will undergo a quadruple bypass and aortic heart valve replacement operation. This does not make me very happy. Hopefully, he will pull through and feel better than ever in 2007. I had better start sculpting again to pay those medical bills!!

Heidi,

Best wishes for the new year, and for a successful and speedy recovery.

Keep mashin that clay.

Heidi,

Sorry to hear about your husband's health problems. I'm hoping the surgery went well and that he'll feel remarkably better in 2007.

I really like the "happy" version now. It kind of reminds me of the Mona Lisa in that it is not obviously smiling. You've caught something positive and serene and accepting in her (your) aura, and yet in her eyes there's also a touch of wistfulness, wisdom and recognition that happiness is never perfect or static.

Suggestions for competitions: What about going for the big PSA international competition. I think the submission deadline is March 9. You can't submit anything that's already won a prize, so you could go for that first and then reevaluate your strategy once you hear the judges' decision. I think this double piece is a breakthrough in many ways (stylistically, conceptually) and I think you should not be afraid to aim high.

I agree with Alex, Heidi - enter the competition!

These are wonderful sculptures. You are very talented indeed - and brave to do them.

I'll be thinking of you this month and hoping all goes well.

All the best to you this new year...and heartfelt wishes for a complete and speedy recovery for your husband from all the way here.

Nice work!

Thanks for your well wishes. I am pretty worried, but hopefully it is all for nothing.
I will look into that one Alexandra. I finally joined the PSA last month, so I might as well get involved.
Since this one is the "mask" of "Me and my Mask", I wanted to make it so the face is smiling, but the eyes are not. Similar to putting on a mask with the eye holes cut out.

Well, I finally finished this thing, so here is how the pair turned out together. I don't think these are suitable for competition as I'm sure the judges would frown on anything made of resin.
As a side note, my husband survived his 11 hour operation (what an ordeal that was) and has been making steady progress over the last few weeks. I can breathe a lot easier now and get back to sculpting.

Beautiful, strong, and unique!

Why is this? Is resin not allowed?(I don't know a thing about entering sculpture)

That is GREAT news about your husband!