[Debra Jones]

You made me laugh!

As I have an addiction to our local open studio, I rarely get an opportunity to paint more than one person at a time and have a huge portfolio of heads (which is my joy) but not a lot of sales of such. They are very representational and have strong likenesses but if you don't know them they tend to be dull. Hence the eyeball comment.

When you add another person you have a story. Olympia is full of content because of the maid. Without her it is just beautiful. Your point is correct, but cut out the environment and it is a head. Interesting but less interesting.

My challenge is to make a story out of a solitary person. The Maja's for example. The moody Absynthe Drinkers are a bit "done" out here but that is exactly the "feel" of a solitary person with a story I am looking for. I hate backgrounds and as our studios are only three hours, I try to make the most out of the time, so I have tried dazzling and not baffling.

The clientele I must seek is for the portraiture. I so agree that an artist's rep would be the best route for me but even that requires me putting down the brush and seeking them out. Until then, I am trying to see what the casual passerby may find interesting and have had lots of support from this individual at the gallery. He knows his market. Not that his market is every gallery's market, but I bow to his expertise as guidance. The two of you have really made my Monday.

You have encouraged me.
Thank you!