Self-Portrait and a website

Hello!
My self portrait has been completed and photographed professionally! I got a batch of paintings shot with some nice lighting and they look superb compared to the images I usually get.

Here's the portrait that's been in progress for months and months and is now complete:


I'll be entering it in Art Calendar's cover competition, wish me luck!
This painting is mostly about looking and seeing. I only paint from observation. I love bright colors and I fell in love with this mirror with it's ornate design. One of my major beefs is when people suggest taking a photo instead of painting a picture... This painting is an example of something that would never look the same if it were a photograph. An artist's eye sees differently and every individual artist's eye is different. There is nothing more unique than a painting. Don't get me wrong, I love photography and think that many great images are produced that way, but really, if it makes a great photo, frame the photo, don't get a painting of it...


In other news; as a requirement for my portfolio class at school I've been building a website for my portfolio. It's in its beginning stages and not paid for yet, so it's in trial mode. Have a look anyway :)
Let me know what you think, I need all the help I can get.
Hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday!