I have begun work on this portrait because these two girls are my youngest grandchildren and the oldest girl graduates this month. We have ten, not eight as I was thinking, great grandchildren. They grow up so fast. I just had to paint this, even though I am into more projects than you can believe! This image is perfect for a painted portrait. The lighting is good, the image is clear. Everything about it says ‘happy moment’ . I am working a lot on a very large portrait of a fellow artist. I visited him recently at his home and studio. He is 91 and active and bright as I hope to be at that age. There were two or three very small portraits of him in his studio so I asked if they were self portraits. He told me some friends had done them. I decided he should have a formal portrait, one that showed him as the master artist he is, not just a sober head shot. I wanted more than ever to catch his bright smile and cheerful personality in my painting of him. So far, I am happy at how it is coming along. It is technical and difficult and large. So this of my granddaughters helps to slow me down and gives me energy for the later one. I am pushing to get them both finished. I also pushed on the one in memory of my friend’s granddaughter. Well, I just always want to get on to the next one, knowing I have succeeded in the previous ones. Spring is hiding under cool and rainy skies, which actually keeps me in the studio. The hummers returned this week. I saw blue birds in the back yard, which is a first. It may be because the next door lot is unmowed. The bluebirds must have a certain amount of meadow to set up a nest. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Hugs to all, Shalom, Diana