[Christine Montague]

I see I am not alone in "lurking" about this incredible site before realizing I could join the forum! This has to be one of the most impressive and useful art sites on the web.

For the past three years I have been working solely in oils. These works have usually been landscapes with a figure in them - often my children serve as models.

Earlier this year I received a commission to paint a 30" x 36" portrait of the same gentleman at 5 stages of his life as if all 5 figures were together . This was to be a surprise gift for the subject's 80th birthday.

Not a brilliant painting, not a big commission, but pretty touching to create ( I confess I checked out my 20 year old John Howard Sanden books for how to mix flesh colours).

The end result? I am now totally hooked on portraiture. I think the gift was to me!

I'm grateful to be on board and look forward to hours of happy reading (This is where I should insert a row of happy faces).