I would think that if ever there was a time when doing a more artistic interpretation of a photograph made sense, thiswould be it.  When better to convert to a painting, then when shooting a painter in his environment?  Yet, I’ve never come to terms in my own mind with something like this.  Is it appropriate to go over the top like this?  What do you think?  It would really help me out if you could comment (either on the site or on Twitter.)

Used Topaz Simplify, then Topaz Adjust.