A Connecticut Girl: Laura at Thirteen

[Denise Hall]

Garth,

I loved the painting of Iona and her dog and now this one following is just as soft and beautifully painted.

I'm not sure what I admire most when I start trying to figure out why your paintings appeal so much to me (and it looks like the whole world of painters here too!). Is it the perfect way you handle values? Is it the way the colors meld together and separate just at the right point? Or is it your talented drawing skills and the talent you have for capturing the person inside?

It is so inspiring to look at your work - but I need to see it in person sometime too. I hope these people hang this portrait somewhere in their home where everyone will see it as they enter the house.



ps - I think your photos of your paintings are pretty good!

Sincerely,

Denise

[Garth Herrick]

WOW Denise,

You have given me high praise indeed! What a nice reply to wake up to.

Getting the values to make visual sense is something I tend to work hard at. I don't know if my drawing ability is anything special, but the nice thing about painting is that it is always possible to make corrections and revisions throughout the process. Painting is a balancing act. I may repaint and rework all the relationships several times before everything appears to click together.

I'm still in the trial and error stage of getting the right representative reproductions to post of my paintings in the Forum. Often, as in this portrait's case, I need to rework my posted images a little in Photoshop (to adjust levels and saturation), and then repost them.

With appreciation,

Garth

[Renee Price]

Hi Garth,

Denise told me that I just HAD to look at your new masterpiece.... My jaw is still on the floor! Do you sleep at all!?

The skin tones are flawless. I most admire your ability to paint detail without getting too tight or looking overworked. I am in awe of those fingernails! You've managed to acheive realism with fresh, loose, textured brushstrokes. Bravo!

I agree that you should have a website.... Cynthia?

take care,

Renee

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Renee Price

Hi Garth,

Denise told me that I just HAD to look at your new masterpiece.... My jaw is still on the floor! Do you sleep at all!?

The skin tones are flawless. I most admire your ability to paint detail without getting too tight or looking overworked. I am in awe of those fingernails! You've managed to acheive realism with fresh, loose, textured brushstrokes. Bravo!

I agree that you should have a website.... Cynthia?

take care,

Renee

Dear Renee (and Denise),

Thanks so much for your terrific reply!

I bit the bullet and finally bought a domain name last night! Now I need to take the next step and figure out how to get a website going. I agree that Cynthia's creations at A Stroke of Genius are among the very best to be seen anywhere.

With appreciation,

Garth