Sarah, five years later

[Mischa Milosevic]

Tom, Sarah is lovely! I can see and understand your meaning and the difference between then and now. I have visited your website before and Sarah Smith at five has been my favorite painting. I was amassed in the way you captured her youth and the sun lit hair just awesome. Sarah now is growing up and she is looking lovely. Tom the execution is supperbe. Composition ditto. The Maestro would be pleased. Are you sure you are from Greensboro and not from La Rochelle?

Sincere regards,
mischa

[Tom Edgerton]

Well, you all are very kind. I appreciate the good words.

Julie-- There are a lot of repetitive s-curves. I started to see them and bring them out as I worked. She took that very elegant, grownup line when she sat down, and I almost jumped out of my skin! (She's still a little bitty thing.) I tried the background without the middle-distance cedars, but the eye went too deep and kept going, so I put them back in (the twin trees were really in the scene). This was a good example of an "arranged vista," that landscapers love. The story was that the husband came home for lunch and about fifty tree cutters were felling some VERY large trees to make that tunnel to the lake--it was originally all forest. I give the client credit for her vision, as it's a beautiful spot.

Linda--It always helps to have another eye. I'm not sure it's all resolved even now, but I'm moving on to the next painting. Thanks again for everything!

Garth--I tried some shrubs at the bottom, but they pulled the eye down. So I went for less is more, for better or worse. I appreciate your comments so much! See you in Dallas.

Mischa--Thank goodness there are the masters to look back to when struggling with the painting!

Thanks again to everyone. I'll draw energy from your comments for today's work.

Love to all artists, everywhere--TE

[Patricia Joyce]

I'm adding my compliments to the others. She's beautiful and it is a beautiful painting. Now, I really enjoy how you rendered her skin especially the arm, the way the light plays and turns it so nicely!!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Hi Tom,

You've done it again! She has such a natural presence. I think it's a combination of the expression and the pose. The pose is spectacularly understated. There is no coquettish-ness, yet her figure turns just enough to make the composition interesting. The way you've done this is worth studying and remembering. I also really like how the brick wall and stone top are so palpably real and solid.

[Terri Ficenec]

Tom -- beautiful! The pink of her dress reads just so softly pink. I especially like how you've handled her hair and the soft light on her face. Thanks for the closeups!

[Michele Rushworth]

Oh, Tom, this is perfect. Linda is right: THIS is how outdoor portraits should be done.

[David Draime]

Tom, this is gorgeous. She has such a quiet presence. Very natural, attractive, compelling painting in the way it is so delicately rendered - superb restraint.

By the way, what size is this?

[Tom Edgerton]

Pat, Alex, Terri, Michele, David...I thank you so much.

Alex, the only prompting I had to do was to tell her to sit up straight "like a big girl." Otherwise, the class is all her.

Dave, it's 42" x 26". Not huge, but good for a residence. Seven (ish)-inch head, I think.

[John Reidy]

Tom,

Very nice! I wish I could see it in person.

I too love the composition and the great work on the flesh and dress. Marvelous.

I recognized her immediately from your website. What a darling girl. The family must be very happy.

Congratulations.