Dear Mike:
Thank you for your comments. I did soften the opening in bushes.
This painting took the People's Choice Award last weekend at CSOPA's first show.
Faces of Summer
Afterwards, I delivered it with the ribbon to the shop where Sarah works. She actually cried with joy and said, "The painting is more beautiful than I am!"
I embraced her and assured her this is not the case. I merely painted what I saw in her and her handsome fiance'.
It was a very moving experience.