I just realized I never posted the updated version: I think the addition of much more black made the figure easier to read. What do you think?

Hey, @Richard Barkman, nice work! I actually kind of like the abstract shape as a compositional artifice - but, in a smaller size, it kind of blends with the figure and makes the whole image look a bit abstract, maybe even a bit confusing value-wise. If that was your intention, it worked well, but if not, perhaps it would be worth to develop some exploration about that composition? I think thumbnailing with values could help. Perhaps the whole left side of the page could be in shadow? Maybe the value of that abstract shape could be brighter? Or maybe having a clearer context, metaphor, narrative or concept behind it could give you other ideas for how to solve it (when I say a concept, I mean something like "she's jumping towards the darkness", or "she's pushing darkness away with dance"... I don't know) I think these are some of the possible paths for it so it's not just a shape that was thrown in randomly. Other than that, there's a little something about the farther side of the torso and the farther arm that feels off to me - maybe the arm would feel more attached to the shoulder if it was brought down a bit; or maybe her right breast need to feel more pulled and stretched upward to follow the upward motion of that arm. Just some impressions. Anyway, overall, I think this is nicely done, keep sharing your progress here!

I am not skilled enough to give you any good critique, other than "awsome!". But I think I have to agree with your wife regarding the artistic thing on the right. Great work though!