[Chris Saper]

Hi Mary.

I would be so thrilled to have this set of photos from which to choose...and here's my entirely different take!

#1 . I would paint this. It's loaded with personality, and it wouldn't bother me not to have the hands. Of course you would have to get rid of the antlers. The dappling light is a lovely intervention, and you can place it successfully wherever you want to move the eye to your center of interest.

#2. I might paint this, if the image would give enough visual information in the face to see what is going on. You can move the Pampas grass (or whatever that is) to successfully stand out against the dark of the head, or to disappear..try value sketches before you start

#3. I would paint this one, and I'd probably paint it first. It grabs me and doesn't want to let go. that being said, one of these will remind the parent most of who this child is, and that is always a consideration. Left to me, I 'd pick this one.

#4. Nice light; awkward pose and expression; eyetraps.

#5. Not as exciting as the others.