Hiboux: One of my four rescued friends
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear.  What one fears one destroys."
--Chief Dan George (1899 - 1981)
The avatar I use is a photo of a kitten who adopted me last fall. She came to my door one night, hungry and cold and in need of shelter. I had already adopted a rescued dog and 2 fostered cats (I have a friend who works in animal rescue), but another friend told me that being chosen by a cat was a special thing, so, here she is in her new home. I called her Hiboux (French for owl for those who don't already know), since she reminded me of a snowy owl tapping on my door.
Sorry I need a new digital camera. The one used for this photo was one of the first ones ever made that utilizes a floppy disc. I am attached to it, but thought it was more important to show off my kitty here since this is merely my "home" page and not a display of my digital art. I'll update it as soon as I can.
I live in the US Midwest, have a degree in landscape design, compete nationally (only in the US so far) in dancesport, and choreographed contemporary dance for over a decade. I've been writing since childhood--mainly for my own amusement. A few of my poems have been published in obscure places and I used to write many interviews which were published online for years. None of my novels have met the public eye yet and that's OK because for me "the joy is in the journey." ÂÂ
I'm hooked on creating digital art. I stumbled upon it when I worked online for 11 years as a content editor and became intrigued watching the medium grow. 3D art feels like a good niche for me combining movement, landscape, my love of nature, history, art, technology, myth and storytelling . . .  I love to experiment with software and hope to continue to grow as an artist. I'm in awe of many of the beautiful works shared on this site. I've also begun a blog here called "A Novelist's Adventures in Digital Art" where I list useful sites and tools I find along the way:
My Blog
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I consider myself a beginner at digital art. We all have to start somewhere. I try to encourage other creatives on all skill levels as often as I have time. I learn a lot from the artists I favorite here and even from private emails with tips if you feel so inclined. I dont allow ratings in my gallery anymore, because I don't believe in "grading" art--it doesn't fit into my personal philosophy. That said, I do often admire many of the talented professional artists and am happy when they are showcased on the art charts here and feel the rating system--though it has flaws--is important to honor excellence.  I do appreciate any comments and appreciate constructive criticism and suggestions.
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"Every artist was first an amateur."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 Thank you for visiting my gallery!
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Comments (52)
cmcc
great cat, love the trees.
lucindawind
excellent !
dbyrd
Great work,looks like a cover for a book!
meico
I do so love cats: two sets of cats have owned me - 'This' and 'That' ... and 'Topsy' and 'Turvy' and all could do a good ghost impression. 'That' had a special trick - he hated walking in snow, so he hopped [I swear this is true] the whole length of the garden ON ONE FRONT PAW. The image is superb - the very essence of cattishness. Mike
leanndra
What a wonderful image this is! The house makes me think of Norman Bates house in Psycho! Outstanding spookiness here! Lea
bpclarke
Very well done. The cat reminds me greatly of my long-gone friend Calvin. Excellent work. Bunny
mansco
Very nicely done, love it's atmosphere ;O)
faroutsider
Spooky, interesting and beautiful!
elisheba
Excellent...
PETs
Great idea.
matrix03
excellent b&w cat render
Elcet
Hughs! This is very impressive and original! And it comes out great in BW greyscale! Wonderful scene which deserves honors!
twistedpixel
Very spooky indeed! Well composed and executed. Excellent work!
KarmaSong
This composition perfectly conveys the mood we find in ghost stories with all the details and symbols or archetypes that give us goose flesh:-) Excellent work on this image!
blankfrancine
This came out great, very dream-like.I have the victorian house but have never used it in a render. I love the hand reaching down on the right.
gunsan
The cat is just awesome, I like his expression and the mood of the image.
Lipa
The cat and the background (without people) is fantastic. Light slowly creeping from behind all the way to the dark foreground. Wonderful atmosphere. The look on the cat's face is priceless.
LBJ2
Very cool and humorous work, Cathy. A great black and white composition. And i love that saying haha... When i was young.. it usually went for the way we look in the morning haha. ..you look like something the cat has dragged in.#:oD. Wonderful work, with a very humoristic touch, imo.
killerpumpkins
What a nice piece here! Of course I would gravitate towards this one although I was thoroughly entertained by all the rest of your gallery. Halloween is upon us! My best wishes to you in this most wonderful time of the fear. Keep up the great work!! John KP
Blush
Love the ghostly atmosphere you created here I love ghost stories too... Love the black and white image & the girl ghost just adds perfect to the image as well.. Hugs Susan~
anahata.c
lol, I'm not sure if the cat dragged in the two ghosts or the whole scene, but whatever it dragged in, it's definitely got connections. A really well-envisioned scene; I love that the 2 ghosts are only partly visible & one is staring at us boldly (while the other one was on her way before you took this spirit-photograph'; I love how some of the windows seem shattered & others are boarded up; you did really well with the trees & tree stumps; and your light is an intense light as if it came from a single source, lighting up the impenetrable night; and the piece has your usual touch of humor as well. Very nice lines Cathy, and fine light. A terrific concept overall. I love going back in your gallery, you do illustrations for adult fairy tales, with real mastery inside. Enchanting & classy & fun.
myrrhluz
Wonderful image! This cat looks like he knows the answers behind all the spookiness going on around him. Beautiful layers that pull you back into the depth of the picture even as you keep a wary eye on that all knowing cat. He looks like he might have the power to draw the careless into the image to become another ghostly figure barely seen. Beautifully done!