Hello from Omaha
 

I am very excited about joining this forum. Before I introduce myself, let me just start by thanking Cynthia and all the moderators for this remarkable website.

Ok then, I'm just starting this new chapter in my life(I'll be 51 in March) I was lucky enough to attend the portrait society gathering in Boston a while back and received the encouragement to take the dive. It took a few years, but since November I have been painting fulltime. I attended commercial art school after high school but soon came the responsibility of family. Many of you share that history I am sure. My main goal is to learn as much as I can, improve everyday, and above all enjoy the process.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Here is a fun self portrait I recently completed. Can you you tell who my hero is?

Your hero? Norman Rockwell?

Hi Peter, Welcome!

Hi Peter,
Welcome to the forum.
I also think your hero is Norman.

Peter,
Me again. Congratulations on your decision to pursue the fine arts!! I believe I'm famiiar with the portrait society gathering in Boston you participated in. One of my old teachers was a guest there, a Ron Sherr. 'Name ring a bell?
In International Artist Magazine, in their coverage, they discussed his demonstration, amongst others. They showed a magnificent charcoal academy of a nude male. They couldn't have had a nude posing, could they?!
Thanks,
a.

Hi Peter! Welcome and nice work.

Welcome, Peter! What a great self-portrait. It may be inspired by N.R. but it isn't like you are trying to be his clone. It has a look all its own, a kind of tongue-in-cheek homage.

Alex

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thank you all
 

Thank you all for the welcome and kind words. One thing I have already learned from visiting here is the humility and kindness that is expressed thoughout these postings.

Albert, Bonfirm, Alexandra- you are correct , Norman is the man. He's tucked in the corner of the painting.

Albert- I did not see Ron's demo. There were so many to choose from. What a great experience that was. If you get the chance to attend one of those seminars, take it.

Teri- Thanks for the welcome, your last posting of "Summer Afternoon is inspirational on so many levels.

Mark - I'm glad the painting gave you an idea. That is one of the
best things this forum has to offer all of us, inspiration.

Sorry about the color of the attachment. Poor lighting and a novice photographer.

Alexandra - You caught just what I was trying to convey. A tongue and cheek (or is it tongue in cheek?) fun portrait. Rockwell has started so many of us off on the path to enjoying painting, I thought it would be a way to say thankyou.

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Welcome Peter,

I love this painting as well, and would enjoy seeing it in the Unveiling section, along with some close-ups!

Welcome, Peter! I'm looking forward to seeing your painting also in the "unveiling section". This is a special place, with many special people.

Jean

Chris- thank you for the kind words. I am so glad you popped in here. It gives me a chance to thank you for your wonderful book. I think it is one of the best on the market to explain the impact of decisions made during painting.

Jean - Thanks for the welcome. I will post the self portrait in the "unveiling section". I'll try my best to get a better color and some closeups for you. I'll also be able to explain more of my "do it if it looks good" approach.

Mark- Wow! What a great sketch. I love the viewpoint of looking down. I hope you develop this further. There is so much going on I could spend a lot of time in the picture. Norman Rockwell would probably have the people in the paintings on the wall involved also.

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Mark-
Scratch away. Let me know if the idea develops further. I checked out your website. Your work is great, it has such an emotional edge to it. I'd like to be able to develop that in my work.

Hi Peter,
Welcome on! I too love this painting - especially the soft fading of the outer portions. Also love the other painting you posted today.
I'm also a big fan of Norman. As a child, we had a huge book of his work on the coffee table that I spent endless hours thumbing through. It inspired me to do a lot of drawing then (but then I went 3D and never looked back).

Hi Peter,

It certainly is a pleasure to meet you. Your work speaks for it self. Each peace expresses the energy that you poses and the drive to out due self. I think when we have the bug or passion for good work, shall we not give more than we ought (100% + some)? Most on this forum express that drive. So, it seems we are in good company. Good job Peter!

Mischa,

It is a pleasure to talk to you also. You work is beautiful. Lovely brush work. I hope to see more posting from you. I am sure I will learn plenty. I especially like your color, it gives the painting life.

Heidi,
Hello and thank you.

Norman Rockwell introduced so many of us to art. I recently read "A Life, Norman Rockwell" by Laura Claridge. It is a biography that surprised me. His life was not an easy one. After reading that book I am even more amazed he was able to paint and keep painting.

I was admiring your work just the other day. My favorite is your "Syoujo". It has a child's warm inviting quality. The kind that makes you want to touch the child's face and have some of it's innocence rub off on you. Keep looking forward!