Back to Income Tax

As many of you know, the beginning of the year tends to slow down for decorative artists. To combat the lack of funds that occurs as a result, I help out a friend who owns the Denver area's most friendly income tax office - Smith Income Tax. Anyone and everyone in need of a bit of help should call. The ladies actually make the most tedious chore of the year fun - honest!

It turns out that the first few months of the year are always short of income but, full of things to do. At the moment I'm working on the Junior Symphony Guild's 2008 Showhome which, this year, isn't a home. This year the guild is renovating the Phipps Tennis Pavilion and I am working as a co-designer and muralist in the ladies lounge/ bride's dressing area. In true Michelle Frances fashion, I designed a rediculous amount of work for myself. The showhome will be open in early May.

I have also desided to participate in this year's Avon walk for Breast Cancer in Summit County. I have a few friends who will be joining me and, together, we have over 5,000 dollars to raise. So, we are having an event (art auction and magic show) at the pavilion in late May to raise the money. Please let me know if you would like an invitaion.

I will have new photos soon.

Happy 2008

Andy and David

This is a portrait which I recently completed of some good friends. David commissioned the portrait as a holiday gift for Andy and, to be honest, the project terrified me. Now that it has been completed I am extremely pleased. It was a great challenge for me and, I believe, that I rose to the occasion.

I have a painting in my home which is a reproduction I did of 'The Acrobats' by Picasso. David had always loved that painting and asked that I do the portrait in a similar style; a great idea but difficult in its execution. Picasso's painting is very sorrowful and, the faces are so stylised and much of the faces are in such heavy shadow that I'm sure the models were not recognizable. My painting of Andy and David was to be a portrait so... Picasso's style had to be manipulated. I wanted Andy and David to be recognizable and, I wanted them to look happy (as they did in the photo I was working from).