Gorgeous Chris. Absolutely superb. Words fail me.... Steve :o) V!

Can you tell I am still shell shocked by the calculator lol..................Keep smiling Chris :o)

Wow Chris, going to school in Aussie land is quite costly. How long are they in school each year? I would be crying too. That is one gorgeous image by the way!!!!!

Gorgeous Chris!! Love the tears and I think I'd be in serious shock for a long time after the calculator... Wow! Not cheap to go to school but as parents we do what we must so our children can have opportunities:) hugz :)

Poverty is still the stigma world-wide. In a place of plenty, no one understands doing without. "Being poor is obviously their fault, and they should just stop it, if they don't like being poor," was attributed to Zha-Zha Gabor over thirty years ago. That attitude of the well off hasn't changed since. Great render! Loads of emotions!!

Yea, the cost of sending them kids to school is phenominal and it ain't free whatever the politicians say. Wonderful image great job with them tears!!

Very sensitive image, well done.

I was very glad to know that I am not the only parent who needs a second mortgage just to send his kids to school. In the US there is free education but it is garbage. Those who want a real education so they do not end up working for the government, have to pay for it. In communist nations all education is free and that eliminates social classes at school, we should try that.

Beautiful image, lovely lighting, excellent tears. Same here free = pay for ~ education is becoming another marketable item with buyer beware attached! ;(

Very touching render. I remember only too well when you didn't have what the other kids had. Sounds like you are working extra hard so that your 2 have a good chance at life. Bravo for that and your new render is stunning.

I have the solution to your problem and that is ................. move to England lol! Just a joke I understand really. This is a touching meaningful image and I love it V Cathy xoxoxo

Once again great work Chris! Sorry to hear about the school problems for you and your kids. Sounds like your a great mom as well. I remember all too well trying to put myself through school and pay for food and a place to sleep. Keep it up, it will pay off in the long run. At least that's what they told me. I'm still waiting!!!!

Know what you mean about calc. Josh had his stolen day before exams (but they do up date from online data base if ti graphing calc so...) Stunning image and awesome textures Chris!!!!

Wow, that sucks. I thought I had it bad in school. I don't think schools here are that bad. Move to the US. :) I'm very sorry to hear about this. EVERYONE BUY UP CHRISLENN'S MERCHANDISE!!

Well we have home schooled all three of our children and the savings in the stress alone was worth it and to spend everyday teaching your own children has been a luxury...i think education is the most important thing next to love and nourishment and should be provided without you having to pay..and pay and pay!!Excellent image!!perfect tears!!

Such sad tears......:( I can remember the costs of school,it wasn't all that long ago. I do however think you are lucky in the fact that your kids wear uniforms. My kids went from private school to public. Talk about an expence. The beggining of the year was sure to cost up to and upwards of a thousand dollars (per child),just for clothes and shoes. Then like you say when winter came there was nother shopping trip to buy heavyer clothing and boots. I can sympathise with you all the way. Most excellent portrait. Keep smileing, it makes them wonder. LOL

I can only agree... haven't been to school for quite some time now... but when I did, my parents reacted the same as you have here... free education.... no such thing... the only thing free in life is "The Blame"... accept it... there is no other free thing in this world! Excelelnt image by the way too! (V)

They say education is free...but then again who are they? Just wait until your kids get to college...lol Whatever happened to the no child left behind?...yeah right! I really sympathize with you. This portait is excellent...really gorgeous and very touching! Vote!!! ^_^

Beautiful Picture. The middle working class struggles also, Make too much for help, and when the finish college with only a BA in chosen field. It's almost useless for getting a job. Great for the mind but not the Bank account.

We all pay one way or another - through taxation or otherwise :o( Still - can you think of anything better to be spending your money on than your kids? I spent the same amount today just getting my car serviced and there was nothing noticably wrong with it to begin with lol! I have nothing to show for my spending while you'll be able to see your kids benefiting from the things you have bought! You are better off every day than I am in so many ways :o) btw - awesome image - you do this type of thing so well!!!

The picture is a very much nice work. Children cost always a lot of money - all the same in which land on this ground one lives. Nevertheless, we should go, thus we can invest in her education. I have grown up in the east Germany and my children are gone to school in Germany combined again. Because they were at a state school, the school books were free largely. The costs{expenses} of about 100 per child and school year were verkraftbar. Indeed, I would have been glad about a school uniform. With it there would have been no Conversation about mark clothes. , most valuable ones what we have are our children!!! "

beautiful picture!

Very beautiful and emotional work!

Just a super image, Miss Chris! (Be glad ya' don't have NINE kids like my parents did. WINK). SMILIN' old, grumpy T.P.

and then our government asks us why we're not reproducing??? i remember when i went to school, my dad earnt alright - but that still kept me without that snazzy calculator - my mom firmly believed that i should use my head not a computer.. and here i am...i still hate maths!! Beautiful image - and very touching and heartfelt.

Truly moving image hun - did a great job on the expression and the tears - I can relate myself since I was the poor kid in school and had my feelings hurt on more than one occasion when someone thought they were doing something nice for me but it was just an act to make them to look "better" than me. Backhanded kindness is way worse than snobbery in my book - hope things get better for you and yours hun HUGS from the heart :)

Speaking as a math tutor, I don't blame your mom for her attitude toward calculators. Even though I keep one on me, I find it's better to write the equations out on paper or on a dry-erase to show my clients the methodology that they're trying to learn. By writing the equation down, I find that I can keep myself mentally sharpened so that I can continue giving students the help they need with mathematics whether its basic math, algebra,or trigonometry.

Sad but true...i think around the globe is the same thing... and since i just passs for the same issue i will concentrate to your fantastic image you have here..:) VEry touching expression and your lights are fantastic! all goes perfect into the scene! Excellent done! good way to let flow your feelings!

You are a terrific parent!!!! I admire you!!!! hug!!! oh, awesome work, so emotional!!! ((( Big Vote ))) ;)

After spending all that money I would think you would be the one with tears. :) Wonderful image from a very poor artist. :) Love it.