recent studies

I made the top painting yesterday morning - I had some flowers and I also had this sweet little vase given to me as a Christmas present - so a still life seemed in order.  My intention is to give this little study to the person who gave me the vase.  What goes around comes around - or meta - or something.  I painted the portrait in November at the Dulwich art group in London and I have been looking at it since, wondering whether to paint in the entire background or leave it as is.  I think I am leaving it as is.  She was a cool model - with attitude - and somehow the loose, slightly scraggy marks surrounding her reflect what seemed to be her elusive personality.