Most of us need a little "balance" in our lives... Some of us choose to achieve that "balance" in different ways. Here is one of the ways I like to spend time away from my 'puter. Actually, the bike should be a full suspension GT i-drive XCR (mountain bike), but being that I haven't built my bike in 3D yet, the 20" BMX will have to do... :) -Rob

Hi Rob! Great image and composition. But the textures for the terrains all all to clean and smooth, so is the dead tree. Vue dead tree texture is never convincing and not authentic enough, have to play with the Material Editor to get better effects. Btw, what does he do when he reach the end of that dead trunk? :) Nice one! Bill

Bill, thanks for the constructive critique. Sometimes you become blind to some of the most obvious things and you need the eyes of others to help wash the sleep out of your own... I've taken some steps to remedy the texture problems (rendering now). Thanks again for pointing it out! To answer your question... he's doing what is called "trials". He's not necesarilly "riding" on the tree, more like bouncing/balancing on the rear tire. The trick is to never let your feet touch the ground, yet conquer as many obsticles as possible... If he falls, they he may end up in the gulley, if not (he doesn't :D) he hops down to the ground below (out of view). :) -Rob

Hi Robert, I always regards artist who take comments sincerely as really good artists. Hard to come by and you are just one of them :) Yes, I use to ride "trail" here a lot in my younger days but not on a BMX bike but a Trial bike (Suzuki). Was on dirt and motorcross stuff too but unfortunately, these sports were not supported by our government and sports association here. We have people 'crying' and 'screaming' for it but there is no permanent site for the motorsports club here that organized them. Sad place to be in when your blood wants it :( Talking about dirt bike, I mentioned to Zygote to have a variation of dirt bikes but never heard anything. A Yamaha YZ, Suzuki TZ or Kawasaki KTX be neat :) I certainly would like to create some energy art using them. Bill

Bill, Your compliment is well taken, thank you. Critique, in my humble opinion, is one of an artist's most valuable tools. If you can "weather the storm" it will only make you that much better... I'm guessing the mix up is in the translation, but "trails" and "trials" are two different beasts. Trail is more along the lines of following a path (usually dirt or mud), while trials lends itself more torward a balancing act. I too ride "trails", on the bike mentioned above. Hawaii (where I live) is a great place for it. "Trials" on the other hand, can be encountered just about anywhere... parking lots, parks, schools, rock faces... you name it. :) -Rob

Hi Rob, sorry...I meant "trials" :) and yes trail is anytime on one of those 'half breed' type. Yeah....good old time!..."Rough and easy, quick and steady". Bill

Ok, here is a slightly reworked version... The dead tree texture is a real pain in the butt for those close up shots. -Rob

The distance terrain texture has improved and since you said the dead tree texture is a real pain, I keep slience :) It is always a challenge to have things close up and that's my favourite. Nice rework! Bill