This is a private contest with a $25 prize to be awarded by personal check (unless PayPal is available). By private contest, I mean it's being sponsored by me for my wife. I guarantee payment will be made! I also require the winner to post receipt of the prize (so people don't wonder if I "screwed" someone over). My wife wants a tatoo and it needs to be a unicorn. If I have gotten your interest, please read the next portion of the message for details.

(1) All entries will be judged by my wife, hertofore referredto as Michelle (her name...hehe) (2) All entries will be discarded and not used for any other purpose except for the winning entry. (3) In the event Michelle does not like any submittal, she will choose one entry that she liked the best to receive the $25. (4) The entries should be (printed) 2 inches by 2 inches. (5) It should be a unicorn. Michelle's request is that the unicorn must be in a reared position or just the head. (6) No background scenery other than some "swirlies" (her words, not mine). Remember, it's for a tatoo, so really distinct background images must be considered. (7) Although I like pure black ink type images, Michelle would like something colorful. Her favorite colors for unicorns are a mixture of: white, lavender, purple, green, and pink. Of course, the artist has the opportunity to provide their own artistic interpretation of what they think looks good. One thing to remember: Michelle has searched the internet long and wide and not found just the right image to use. (8) The image should provide enough detail for a tatoo artist to transfer to a pattern, if you are familiar with that process. (9) The winning artist agrees to make minor adjustments to the final image if needed. This probably means a more prominent foreground and faded backgroun if needed. (10) Screen DPI images should be posted on this message. The winning artist will be given an email address to send the final image to. (11) Michelle's decision shall be the final decision as to the winner. (12) IM me for any additional questions or clarification. I will post here if it seems necessary. (13) Contest deadline November 15th. (14) In the event less than 5 submissions are received, I'll assume the prize wasn't good enough and discontinue the contest without an award. But, with 6 or more entries, a prize will be awarded regardless if it is chosen as an actual tatoo for Michelle. (15) Multiple entries are allowed. PS: I know it's not much of a prize to expect an artist to work for. But it's a chance to make Michelle happy, see your work on her back, get credit for it, and, perhaps, have some fun. She can't pay much more than that AND pay for the tatoo.

Does Michelle want a horse-like unicorn or a goat-like unicorn (mostly headshape and body conformation; they both have beards and feathery fetlocks). Also rearing would indicate a stronger, more heraldic beast, but the colors are "flowery". I gather that she doesn't want the unicorn with roses around its neck and big purple eyes usually seen within water globes? Carolly

(grinning sheepishly) I'll have to ask her when she returns from running a few errands, hauksdottir. I don't think either of us put that much thought into it.

She thinks she prefers the horse style. As you can see, a nice mane and tail are also appreciated. I think the unicorn itself should be whitish but certainly colored lights can cast a tint to her. When the colors were mentioned above, I think she had in mind a tint on the body/head itself or pastel colors for some sort of bckground (e.g., someone might submit one with a planet or moon in the background, or as I ineptly described above, "swirlies"). Hope this helps.

Yikes...ever have a white tat? It hurts like holy frek. I have a blue tiger on my chest and there is a scene with white clouds behind it...youch, I can imagine a whole white tat. Whats the deadline BTW? ~EA

11/15 is the deadline. Not sure why white would hurt more than other colors. Actually, the pain depends on the type of needle, whether it's the thin outlining needle or the thicker "filler" needles.

It hurts more because it takes longer to do and more ink to be able to show up good.

BTW: White is not a colour...it is the absence of all colour ;)

LOL, I thought black was the absence of all colo(u)r and white was the presence of all colo(u)r. But I see what you mean by taking longer to get it to show up (that would hurt). She has a butterfly at her pubic hairline. It has white veins in it...or should I say "had"...they seem to have faded a bit. I'm guessing the major color needs to be more of an offwhite, like grey with colored highlights or tints.

the pictures above are by Sue Dawe :) love her unicorns..

Glad you were able to give credit. My wife just found them clustered at sites with bunches of unicorn pics. Either there were no artist signitures or else someone "erased" them.

yhea, someone erased them, she is very well known and always signs at the very bottom.. I have a lot of her unicorn pictures hanging on my wall is how I know this :) good luck to your wife with finding the perfect unicorn..

Tks. I told her some of people here might spend a few hours trying to help, most probably without a prize. I think she feels special that I suggested it. I just hope she gets a lot to choose from.

OK, Now that I have a better idea of what the project entails I can scurry into the cupboards and lay out the cookies for the elves. Personally, I think they'd rather spin a shirt out of nettles than capture a unicorn and clean up after the modeling session, but a 900-year contract is a 900-year contract. Carolly

"spin a shirt out of nettles" Now, THERE'S a phrase!

Although this forum often has debates about whether or not Poser should have postwork. Or if Poser and Bryce/Vue is acceptable to be used together. The object, IMHO, in any artistic endeavor, is to produce a final product. I don't care how it was done. And certainly not for this contest, so use anything you wish.

I had longed for a tatoo all my life. My uncle had them on his forearms and I just loved them. I too was in the situation where I couldn't find anything I liked and whenever I brought the subject up I was teased by my friends. Well, one day I met another artist and he drew a beautiful unicorn just for me. So, for my birthday in 1987 (grin) I got myself that tatoo and have enjoyed it ever since. I wish the same feelings of happiness for Michelle when she does finally get her tatoo.

Very nice of you to "hop in" with that, firefly! Tks.

in regards to the head shot above that's too dark.. just an idea.. I have another picture to that on my wall, but it's a lighter tone of blue and instead of white it's a silver blue color.. it's the same idea but perhaps not too dark? wish I could help out, but my skills in this area would not be worthy to be on her shoulder. will the pictures be posted for all to see? I would love to see what everyone comes up with..

I hope everyone posts here. 2 x 2 isn't a big graphic.

Isn't your wife the one with that really cute butterfly "down there"? Re: the 2"x2" It might be better to post large images so the detail can be clearly seen. You can then have it printed at the 2x2 size, but it'll have a higher ppi; but the tattooist should be able to work from a larger image, just like any other artist. If not, get another tattooist. Just a suggestion.

Thanks, Daio! That color looks nice. I hadn't mentioned it, but it works, too.

Can it be PINK? Heheheheheh.

Gee, Doc, no pony entry? Reading up in OT musst be in a lull if you're down in this thread...

Don't forget my unicorn horns in the free stuff. They're a bit different.