Is he yours?

I would celebrate!

Go Italy! Congratulations on winning the World Cup!

Hooray Italy! Ilaria, this is definitely something to celebrate! We can't think about art all the time!

Thanks Michele, Garth & Ilaria for your comments. You three are so accomplished--I am glad to know you (though I only know Garth in reality) and read your encouraging words.
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And thanks Garth, Julie, Sharon, Alexandra and Mari, I miss being in Rome, yesterday there were one million people at the Circo Massimo!
We have rallied London though, you should see Trafalgar Square all green, white and red!

Ilaria

Marvelous portrait, Alex! I love everything about it, especially it's lack of "slickness" and the direct honesty in it. You have managed to avoid edginess and transmit your intensity at the same time.

Ilaria - congratulations, what a game! The victory dance by the team made me smile for hours. Could I be an honorary Italian, please?

Sure, I'll devise one of those citizenship questionnaire for you :D

Grazie, Ilaria!
And if you happen to know the goalkeeper, could you please let him know that if he wants a portrait, I will make every effort to fit him into my schedule? :exclamati

Great idea for a portrait, Linda! Go for it!

Thanks for your comments on my little piece, though it still in no way comes close to your side-lit head. I'm not even trying to come close to it. I was reminded of something Winslow Homer was quoted as saying in an article in the July/August issue of American Artist Magazine: "When you paint, try to put down exactly what you see. Whatever else you have to offer will come out anyway."