Salon International 2011

This is the best start of Show Week EVER! On the left, Daniel Greene, the KING of portraits is holding my painting of James and saying something that I didn't hear because of the rush of something in my ears. He liked the Rainy painting as much as James but said that he couldn't give more than one award to any artist, so he gave the Merit Award for Portrait to James. Then, in the photo on the right, he said something right to my face but I don't remember what it was. 
The reason that this means so very much to me, winning an award for a portrait from Mr Greene, is that I first learned how to pose and light and drape a model from watching his instructional VHS tapes back in the 90's. He was my teacher without ever knowing it!
And further, as I've developed, I've moved away from the more tight and linear style that he practices and prefers, so I was pretty sure he was not going to like what I brought. I am so happy and so honored that this great man looked at, touched and then awarded my work. Thank you for visiting the blog of the most grateful artist on earth!