Newcomer reports in!

[Mikael Melbye]

Dear Allan,

You're quite right....we might as well jump in. Well, here it goes: Wet behind the ears Mikael Melbye would like to say hello to all of you. What an exciting forum!

As Allan, I'm Danish and tied to the wonderful world of portraiture. A long career in opera as a baritone has been my main outlet for the past 30 years (I'm fifty), and only in the past 12 years have I taken up the vocation of my anscesters as more than a wonderful hobby. I have now retired from singing, and concentrating on directing and designing opera and ballet....and of course painting. As I have told Allan in a private e-mail, I'm happy to find fellow painters equally interested in figurative arts, which, I'm sorry to say, is really rather pourly looked upon here in otherwise beatyful and liberal Denmark. Those of you who would like to see my work are more then welcome on my web-site which was opened recently. www.mikael-melbye.com

I hope for comments (also the harsh ones) so I can improve it if I can.
I couldn't manage to put my web-link on my profile...maybe somebody can help me how to do that.

I look forward hearing from you all and wish you all the best.

P.S. I try to attach a photo of myself in my studio, please forgive if it doesn't work, I'm not too brilliant at this.

God Bless

Mikael

[Allan Rahbek]

Dear Mikael,

A famous Danish opera singer wants advise, I will see what I can do about it.

Welcome to the forum.

What a studio. Looking forward to your other posts.

Allan

[Mikael Melbye]

Dear Allan,
What a pleasure to "meet" you. I guess, for the sake of our fellow, non- Danish artists who do not speak out strange tongue, we better stay in English ! I do look forward to take active part in this forum...what a great bunch of people! Hope others will join in and give some input.

I must say that I have really enjoyed the willingness to share knowledge here. There is so much to learn for all of us, and who better to give the advise then fellow painters. And so many good ones too!!

I'll try and post a portrait that I was commissioned to do for The Santa Fe Opera a couple of years back, so you can see what my work looks like. It's John O. Crosby the founder of the festival. The painting is the property of the festival and hanging in their boardroom.

All the best

Mikael

[Xander Calceta]

Dear Mikael,

Welcome to this site. I hope you'd become active and share your magnificent talent to us. I visited your site but just couldn't understand your native language, both you and Allan.hahaha.

Anyway, I liked your works and style. You are not just an amazing fine artist but also an opera singer. No wonder you're a great fine artist, singing while painting. Well, it compliments. hehe.


God bless you,
Xander

P.S.- I sent you a private message. Maybe you can check it out later.

[Allan Rahbek]

Dear Mikael,
I went to your web site. It was strange to see people that I knew, and have met ,appear through this American forum. And to discover that you have studied with Richard Schmid, the first thing that struck me when I saw your self portrait.

I believe that you know something and hope that you will share it with us.

The good thing about sharing is that you get more than you give.You know what you know and everything you get is extra.

Have fun, Allan

[Mikael Melbye]

Glad you liked the site. It will of course have an English version eventually, and hopefully some more photos of paintings.

Mt friend and I are running around packing the car to go to Rome for five weeks. (Life is so hard sometimes!!We got one of the apartment and a studio in the Danish Academy. So there are no excuses!


Richard Schmid and I met some years ago in New York during the large symposium of the Portrait Artist Society at The Metropolitan Museum and stroke up a wonderful friendship both with him and Nancy. He's a superb painter and teacher, and I've learned a great deal from him over the years.

I'll take the computer with me, so we can still communicate. Incidental, do you know how to put a link to my website in my profile? I can't seem to get that right.

Best wishes

Mikael

[Chris Saper]

Dear Mikael,

It will be great having you participate in the Forum! I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work.

[Mikael Melbye]

Dear Chris,

I certainly look forward to take part in all the interesting topics here. And thank you so much for the warm welcome.

Best wishes, Mikael