Quote If I had a dollar for every time I saw the surprise & delight showing on a person's face when they view a drawing/portrait for the first time, I'd be very well off indeed - their reaction is the true pay-off for me.

Isn't it just great when that happens?! One occasion will always stay in my mind. In the early days when I was just drawing commissions I drew a deceased best friend - an old Griffon Bruxelois for an elderly gentleman. When I handed over the drawing he just held it and stared at it then started crying. I had, he said, given him back his greatest friend.

He had, I thought, already paid by his reaction - I was so moved that I didn't want to mention money...... well, almost

And I totally agree with your sentiment -- if my work ever sunk to the level of merely producing income I'd quit too. That's not an idle comment - I've seriously considered it on more than one occasion when my work has stagnated for a while but then a fresh avenue opens up, my work changes accordingly and the discovery continues.

Thank you for your thoughts and comments, Becca - they mean a lot to me.

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net

Quote ...to take images and create wonderful compositions that are so incredible you can stare at them for days upon days.

Thank you - I really appreciate your comments.

I think I've reached that point where my hand knows what it's doing with a pencil and I no longer have to think about it.

In the past I derived my enjoyment from exploring what I could get a pencil to do. Now I enjoy exploring what I can do with the subject sources - working in a semi-controlled way for major pieces and just inventing as I move through the drawing with the remarques.

... and now I know why my website is beginning to look a bit frayed around the edges

MIKE

www.SibleyFineArt.com
www.Starving-Artists.net