Wow Marvin, What else can I say that everyone here has already said.

Thank you for logging on and sharing your truly special talent and skills and for being such a nice guy.

Question: If I became a stowaway on a ship bound for America, could I find my way to your Atlanta workshop?

My only problem is here I am with my bag, paintbrushes and $20 in my hand, I am walking out my front door to find a ship/plane/truck/spaceship, to take me to one of your workshops straight away, just as I hear my 14 year old son in the background crying to me saying, "Don't leave Mum, who will cook and clean for me, I am too young to be left alone, aren't I more important than your art career"?

Hmmmmm, ?@#!#... as I sit on the front stairs with my bags and brushes in my hand, one foot ready for takeoff but my heart saying to stay.

Hmmmmmmm, Marvin please live a long time so when I save enough money so I too can gain the valuable tuition that others here talk about. **** Pacific ocean, why would it have to get in the road of my career.

(Ten minutes later....) Bummer.......the heart strings of a mother are too hard to break!!!!!

Funny you should say this. My husband and I had such a discussion the other morning over coffee.

And he said, "Arrogance is a misuse of greatness, and an insult to devotion. Humility is the only gracious response to reverence."

It took me a few seconds to digest it, then I really liked it.

Marvin,

Like Denise, I've been away for awhile and I come back to see this gorgeous painting! What a treat! Sylvia was my favorite, but this little darling has stolen my heart. I love the simplicity and the unfinished look--there is nothing to distract from her alabaster skin . Not many people can pull that off well, and obviously you have pulled it off and then some! To say that she is stunning is an understatement; my best complement has to be this--she breathes.

I hope you and your family are doing well.

love,

Renee

Ngaire, I would make room for you. Since you live in OZ can't you click your heels together three times and say, "There's no place like Atlanta!"?


Janel are you referring to breakfast of what your husband said?


Thank you Renee. She was the sweetest little girl and I'm so glad that I was able to capture her essence.

Marvin, I'm clicking and nothing is happening, am I there yet, am I there yet? Click click click, nope nothing.

I have lost site of Toto and the yellow brick road. I am not sure I have the right shoes on. Oh noooooooo, I have been transported back to being a peasant, no money, no job just a bucket full of dreams and wishes covered with a blanket of hope, with paintbrushes on top.

Next day while walking amongst my weedy garden, I found a genie bottle...Wahoooo!!! Rubing harder and harder, now trying really hard, there's smoke (no mirrors) still rubbing.....**** genie, no, not another packet of tim tams. I said "Send me directly to the workshop of Marvin Mattleson or at least Tim Tyler, you @#!*, not tim tams, what will I do with all these packets of tim tams. Paint with them?

That afternoon, walking back in side with tim tams, shoulders rounded with tears in my eyes, dragging my feet, I decide to click some more instead. Click, click, click, Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Sob, Sob. Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Sniffle, Sob, Sob, as I fall down to the ground in a comatised sleep dreaming of laughing and painting with Marvin at his workshop in Atlanta.

Maybe you should ask the Bad Witch?

...

Couldn't find the words? Who are you and what have you done with Tim?

All kidding aside, I appreciate your remarks and I'm quite flattered you feel that way. As you know it's important to me to keep getting better. I place a lot of pressure on myself to keep pushing the envelope. It wouldn't be much fun any other way. It's especially gratifying when someone of your ability and intelligence acknowledges some success in that regard.

I just hope I don't screw up the next one.

Wow!! That is a beautiful portrait. It makes me want to give up watercolors and go into oils.

Let me add my small voice to this chorus of accolades, Marvin. I am most impressed by the fleshy skin that has all the freshness and translucence of youth. I want to kiss that face!
Your #1 fan in CT,
Jeanine