Violinist

[Linda Brandon]

This is outstanding! Really wonderful, Terri!

Aren't you happy you are using indoor light instead of outdoor light?

[Chris Saper]

Dear Terri,

This is absolutely the best painting of yours I have seen. You have really handled the light/shadow transitions skillfully, your shadowed colors are lovely, and the color shifts are sensitive and so subtle.

Congratulations!

[John Crowther]

Terri, this is absolutely spectacular work, so I offer a very small critique with a considerable amount of trepidation. Please take it for what it is, just one man's opinion. I would love to see the girl's gaze shifted somewhat to her left, as if she were focused on music. As it is, it seems to me as if she were posing rather than playing. I've taken the liberty of doing a hasty and somewhat clumsy alteration in Photoshop to show what I mean. Again, I don't want this to reflect on my enormous admiration for your skills. -- John C.

[Patricia Joyce]

Terri,
Now this one is my favorite of yours. You are growing by leaps and bounds and it is very inspirational to see!! I love the coloring in this one and her face is painted beautifully! How many hours do you get to spend at your easel per week? The way you have progressed one would think you are not eating or sleeping, just painting!!

[Heidi Maiers]

Yes indeed Terri - your best work to date. Such a beautiful face! Someone should start a post called "Then and Now" where we can all show a piece from 5 years ago (if we dare) and compare it to your most recent work. I'm sure many of us would be stunned at how we have grown in that amount of time. I really believe good art has more to do with how much the artist practices and observers rather than how "talented" they are.

[Terri Ficenec]

First, Thanks so much to all of you--you've really made my day!

Sharon -- I've been trying to think through and make considered decisions on color theme/composition etc. ahead of time rather than just jumping right in and winging it. You commented on an earlier thread about how much planning and forethought you put into your pieces. I'm seeing what a difference it makes! It's nice to know that sometimes now I'm getting it right!

Linda -- Hmmm... that's interesting, the indoor vs. the outdoor light, I don't think it's been a conscious choice. The more recent commissions I've gotten have been indoor settings, I was going to say because that's been the clients' choice. But now I'm sitting here wondering whether I've influenced those choices during the photo shoots (because it's easier to get a reference of the subject that works for me)?

Chris -- well, thanks! I think painting the flesh tones from life made a big difference on this piece.

John -- Thanks! And your point is well taken. We did try several variations of gaze at the photo shoot and felt the straight-on gaze was most engaging of those. In any case, I couldn't bear to change her eyes at this point...

Hi Pat! -- The workshop with Tim Tyler that I took this summer has really given me a boost, I think. I've learned so much from this forum, but somehow the direct and immediate feedback,and being shown how hit at a more subconscious, intuitive level -- at least for me... I only get to spend about 20-30 hours/week actually painting --though sometimes very late at night. I'm rather haphazard about it and paint when the mood strikes me. It could be midnight and I'm ready to call it a day, when something about the painting will nag at me, and the next thing I know it's 4am and I've got brushes to clean! Of course, on those mornings it's really a drag to get the kids off to school!

Thanks Heidi! I agree. I think also you've got to believe you can do it...

[Michele Rushworth]

Wow, Terri, this is simply magnificent!