Thank you for the close-ups, Ardith. They are beautiful! There are so many different areas that I really like that I can't just comment on one, the straps of her dress, the roses and vines, her eyes, shoulder, and the dress as a whole. I guess I just really love the whole thing. Oh, and her mouth!

Jean

Ardith,

Congratulations, this is a wonderfully compelling piece of art.

I am always curious about how an artist comes to a particular composition. Was the complete composition in your mind from the start, or did you progress into the roses?

I can appreciate the uniqueness of this, having a daughter myself and having posed her hundreds of times in every conceivable position. Your mind struggles with trying to do it differently somehow. You really succeeded here.

I just envisioned this painting in my head--the pose, the roses, the lighting...
I have so many paintings in my head it's frustrating because I don't have enough time to get them all on canvas. It's strange, but ideas for paintings just pop into my head. I guess my creative "mind" never rests--no wonder I'm an insomniac!

And thanks again to everyone for the positive comments.

Ardith

This is stunning! Congratulations - well-deserved!

Beautiful, entering this piece in other competitions should definitely get you better results. Good luck.

Ardith,

Please let me just ditto the comments of those above. This piece is exceptional! And so full of personality - I love that! Good for you.

I hope your daughter realizes what a treasurer this painting is after the pain of "not now, I sick of posing", ... sorry that's how it is in my humble studio!

:thumbsup: