[Valerie Gudorf]

Marvin,

How do you manage to avoid the "ugly stage"? It pains me sometimes to see my own work during this phase. I can't imagine the alarm a client might feel upon viewing their visage in that condition.

I suspect that your experience illustrates why you are one of the "modern masters" on the Art Renewal Center web site. I haven't enough skill to execute a painting so smoothly, or with such confidence so as to by-pass the ugly stage. I struggle virtually the whole way. I call it, "wrestling my alligators to the mat". And too often the alligators win! Ha, Ha! Until I can breathe the rarified air enjoyed by artists such as yourself and Bill Whitaker, I think I had better withold WIP photos from my clients.