Cynthia:
Thanks for your message and your critique. My problem is rendering - I do too much of it - Bev Doolittle syndrome.
I looked at your modifications and I agree that the background does compete some with the form. I did try to darken it, blur it, and push it back as much as possible - perhaps I need to do a little more.
The flesh tones in the painting are indeed a bit warmer than the photo captured.
Thanks again for your input!