22 Comments
User's avatar
Kathy Hopewell's avatar

Great post, and good luck with the vibrator (not a sentence I thought I'd be writing this morning!!)

The turquoise necklace pic is definitely the best because you look relaxed and happy and the colours suit you so well. Re. your neck, please don't cover up any signs of ageing! We need beautiful older women like yourself on display as you are in order to counteract the false images of youthful perfection that still dominating the media.

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thank you Kathy! And thanks for well wishes on the vibrator ha ha!! And on the headshot, if I don't come up with something technically better for print I may go with the "turquoise". I wonder if you went through any angst with your head shot for your book? I also like the signs of aging but don't want the eye to land on any one part (neck) to the exclusion of the whole. But the neck folds did not bother me and anyone with basic arithmetic skills can figure out I am writing the book in my 70's!

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

I tried to pre-order your book but I think it might be only on the UK Amazon and UK Kobo? Well, there's plenty of time to order it before or when it comes out. Exciting!

Expand full comment
Kathy Hopewell's avatar

From what I've been reading, it might be available if you switch to your region on Amazon (i.e. Amazon.com) and search by title but as you say, no rush!

On, or after, the launch day (October 15th) let me know if you can get it and if not I'll challenge Amazon and Draft2Digital (who supply Kobo). If that fails, I'll send you a copy myself!

Happy painting.

Expand full comment
Kathy Hopewell's avatar

Ooo, thanks! It should be available everywhere but I am very new to this so might have done something wrong. The ebook on Barnes and Noble is listed in dollars so if you were after pre-ordering an ebook you could try there. Here's the link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/swimming-with-tigers-kathy-hopewell/1146147355?ean=2940180291899

It would be very exciting to have an American reader!!

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Maybe I should wait until launch week and write a verified purchase review! I imagine you'll be reminding your SS subscribers so I don't forget.

Expand full comment
Virginia Wolf's avatar

No 3 but I do not like the background and you do not have to smile, Europeans do not do that so much and it is ok. A semi profile can be nice as well. Try more.

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thank you P, I somehow look terrible in photos when not smiling. I like the idea of a semi-profile. I wish you were here to be me stylist! ( like you once were.) Good idea to keep trying and maybe hire a professional.

Expand full comment
Amy's avatar

Turquoise necklace.

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thank you Amy! So many people voted for the Turquoise that I'm thinking maybe I can remove the background and have an expert bring the quality up to print standards. If not I'll try to recreate it wearing the same necklace, shirt and sweater. Thanks for weighing in!

Expand full comment
Psylvia's avatar

I think the turquoise necklace photo shows you being you the best. I do favor taking a different one with the egg, though.

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thanks so much Sylvia for weighing in. The consensus seems to be the turquoise one but unfortunately it is low resolution so I will try to have a similar one shot. That will be challenging as I'm a year older and getting the expression just right etc. Luckily I'm not a perfectionist! Thanks again-I so appreciate your feedback!

Expand full comment
Lisa Bullwinkel's avatar

I think most of these show too much tension in your neck. Didn’t Tim take some beautiful shots of you not that long ago?

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Ha ha aging shows most in the neck. Remember Nora Ephron's book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck?" I never read it but I relate to the title. I could do the scarf around the neck thing. I was hoping that showing my age a bit was OK/good but when the eye goes right to the neck in the photo that's not good, so thanks for pointing that out! I don't remember Tim every taking photos of me except in group photos at New Years Day gatherings many years ago. I'm thinking of getting a professional headshot but had two experiences with pros years ago and I hated the results so thought BF could do a better job. But we're rethinking it. Thanks so much for weighing in with your honest feedback. So helpful!!

Expand full comment
Katie Sadler's avatar

Beautiful paintings, and photos ❤️

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thank you Katie and thanks for all the help and guidance you've given me - I so appreciate it!

Expand full comment
Rita J.'s avatar

Thank you for your latest newsletter. I think you did a fine job in portraying the motion of the vibrator in the second picture, and almost as well in the one directly below it. Also, I like the photo of you with your turquoise necklace. Good lighting, nice smile, and attractive colors! Nice work, boyfriend!

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

Thank you Rita! I so appreciate that you commented on the vibrator dilemma as well as the head shot! You have confirmed my instinct to go with the style of vibration you favored. This will save me a lot of more trial and error. So I'll work on translating that style into the 8 foot panel extravaganza!

Expand full comment
Carol Cruickshank's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

And thank you for reading it!

Expand full comment
Lora Arbrador's avatar

From Gabriele via email:

Beautiful imagery! As always, you are so inspirational. Thank you for your care in posting an artist that often I haven't heard about or sometimes I thought about them, but hadn't looked into it in a long time.

Expand full comment
Amy's avatar

Turquoise necklace.

Expand full comment