Oh yes, such a storyteller could conjure up so many different people and their lives, just waiting to see if you believed her or not. Delightful!

I love this, Ana! I love her relaxed pose and her expression; knowing, and amused. I see in those around her, the characters that she will bring to life. She gives a side glance to her creations as they crowd around. A gentle, mischievous look to the gentleman not quite sure if she will do him justice. On her right, I see a character inching closer, perhaps to whisper that she really should have a larger part. She is, after all, such an important lady. This is marvelous! So beautifully done with wonderful lines and shading, and so delightful!

This wonderful! Understated yet so powerful, she I holds her audience in complete thrall. Brilliant.

Nice work !

Beautiful, haunting, delicate and profound. I love how you create characters: The storyteller has such character and 'presence'. She looks like a wise, slightly cautious woman, who is regal but also a bit "guarded" (cuidadaso, cauto): It's like she's seen a lot in her life, so she knows that people aren't always what they seem to be. Comfortable, regal and a bit cuidadoso, cauto...You put a lot of feelings into a single character, Ana. I mean, look at her "presence": Her long slinky body (colante, sim?), her long sleek arms, her low-cut neck, and her slight smile---with eyes looking away as if she's looking into the next room---make her look classy (mulher de classe) but also cautious. The caution is in her gaze alone...And I love how her arms spread out: She's totally at home, here, totally relaxed, even as she stares into distant places...She's really complex, in other words. But then, the stories and tales. She holds a book, which she non-chalantly puts aside while she looks across the room; and we see all the tales inside of her emerge: Faces everywhere, faces looking at her, faces looking into the distance, most of them smiling, some frowning; and they feel like faces from ages passed, some like ghosts, all "visits" that appear to her and haunt her and invite her and smile at her and even frown at her. As Lucinda says, the frowning man is afraid she won't treat his character well (do him justice) while the soul on her right (our left) looks as if he's asking something of her...maybe she should have a larger part... I know you've posted faces before, and they remind me of some of the studies of the great Renaissance masters...But they're all your own, they always feel new and ancient, like mysterious apparitions of past family members and companions and friends. They're like people calling us to impart some message or wisdom, or just to take a little of our "light" with them before they go back to the deep universe from whence they came...like doves appearing at our windows. I love how much you put into your faces---even the small ones or the ones that are only half-formed. Well, these surround the regal woman---and she isn't disturbed by them, I mean not a bit: Rather, she accepts them without blinking an eye, and with a slightly "ironic" smile (irônico) because she knows how many stories these faces have to tell. And she isn't frightened one bit. She's wholly relaxed... Finally---lol, this is a lonnnnnnnnng comment! but you post so seldom that you deserve it!---your painting is bathed in a "memory" pink. (Is there such a color? "Memory pink"? I'll have to look at my paints and pastels!) It's haunting and beautiful. You so often mix reality and dream so effortlessly. And I love how boldly you use white, and I love how her left arm drops out of view---behind the couch---only to re-emerge with her book. A haunting, suggestive and beautiful painting. It's so good to see you here! And this was a beautiful portrait to share with us. You're a deep and magical artist, Ana, and one of our best; with lots of experience and wisdom behind everything you make. Beautiful work, and thank you for sharing it with us as spring slowly 'creeps' into our lives...

First of all Ana, I was so glad to see that you uploaded a new presentation. This image is fabulous, and your attention to detail is second too none. Mark made so many wonderful points about this lovely image, and I too was fascinated by the faces here. They depict so many emotions, and the common thread is they are each fascinated by the storyteller. Maybe some of them are the focus of her stories, or it could be they are simply like people of today and enthralled by exciting tales.

Would hardly explain better than Mark or Tara why I like this one, Ana. Reminds of Goya.

OH ANA! You know how much I love this image? This lovely relaxed lady with her subtlety smile, as if she hasnt told yet how the story has ended and all the people sround her are holding their breath, waiting to get the final conclusion and she is takes her time, before she relieves the excitement. :) She has the whole audience in her hands. So awesome, that you can make such sweet expression in one painting. And in Real Perfect Ana Style :-)))

Oh Ana! Such a rare treat to see something from you, and now this. Controversial this is, so much is for sure. The first thought that came to my mind, are these faces part of her reality, her past and present, or, are they memories, coming back for a visit or two. This scene has so much potential and pulls me in, more and more. It is like one of these very good stories, the longer I remain, the more my thoughts and ideas get caught. This is a subtle beauty, almost silent in its 'nature', and in the very same moment, tells so much of our 'nature'. I have to thank you, Ana, for this beautiful moment in time, a thoughtful moment, with a glimpse of a smile :)

This is an amazing artwork, Ana! Hope everything is alright with you and soon you'll post again!

Wonderful!!! Superb expression.

Marvelous drawing and fantastic composition !!!