Bea Riley, portrait artist extraordinaire, has located her studio in one of the few secluded areas remaining in western Howard County. Perhaps it is the sense of serenity that pervades her home and studio that gives rise to the type of portrait work that she does so well. One can sense that images are never rushed, that superficial layers hiding the subject's personality are gently encouraged to be let down for the moment. Perhaps it is Bea's love of nature and her respect for all of nature's differences that foster her love for creativity in her portraits and her unwillingness to treat one portrait subject like another subject. As you meander through her home and studio--it's often difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins--you notice that none of her portraits look like a copy of a previous work: each subject is treated in a way that enhances the person or people in the portrait. As you watch Bea outside, you'll see her suddenly stop to notice how the sun strikes a branch or even a crack in the sidewalk; and she'll marvel how different it looks now. You'll see her find a tiny little pinecone with drops of resin dripping from it that has been transformed in the evening light so that it almost looks like a tiny Christmas tree sparkling with its own colored lights. And she commands you "not to let the light change" until she gets back with her camera. You do your best to comply, for you sense that this is something really special. And it is. It's a bit of the magic that Bea puts in all of her portraits. And Bea will note that it's the same way with people. Each of us has our own inner glow. Sometimes it's very visible, and at other times we hide it. As she explains, it's her job to uncover that inner glow within each of her portrait subjects. Her secret? It's not a secret at all, she'll insist. It's as simple as watching and listening to the people who have commissioned her to record a moment in their lives. When people feel at ease--when they are around people whom they like, and when they are doing things that they like to do, and talking about things that they like to talk about--their natural joy emerges, and it shows on their faces. Bea uses all available areas to create portraits. Some she does within the studio. Others she does in various parts of her home. Others will be taken outdoors around her home--or in a park--or in her client's home or garden. She doesn't mind asking neighbors if she can "borrow" their scenery if she feels it will enhance the portrait. And her neighbors always seem happy to oblige. Bea's theory is that everyone knows how important a nice portrait is, and usually everyone is willing to help another person get that special portrait. When you have a portrait done by Bea, you know immediately that she is working with you as a friend much more than as a customer. You simply don't have a doubt that she'll ever leave you with a portrait unless you're truly pleased with it. When you have a memory that is important to savor forever, I can't recommend enough having a portrait created by Bea Riley. But you need not take my word for it. Look through her web site, talk to her other customers, and give Bea a call. You won't be disappointed. -Debrah Kendel, a very satisfied customer