From the Artist: My pic seems a bit silly to me and very amateurish compared to the others I've seen. It took me quite a long time and I found it difficult –- and I like Matisse! Somehow along the way a little story developed and I found myself nude and vulnerable in the middle of my 'real' work and painting, gazing out the window with an easel on the floor. Quite interesting, but is it art?!

From the Painting Guide: It's made with paint so it's definitely art...

the question is rather whether you think it's "good" or "bad" piece of art. As for how you ended up with a nude self-portrait in it... phew, I think I may need to subscribe to the pscyology 101 course before commenting on that.

Judging it by the project's criteria, I feel there are too many elements painted in color rather than as outlines (the fireplace, the easel, the chair, the figure, the books, the things on the window ledge). The patterned rug is very Matisse though. My eye isn't sure what to focus on and flits around unsettled.

The large realistic view through the back dominates what's in the studio too much for me. I wonder what it would be like if the figure had turned her back on the studio more to view the outside world, not just her head?