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 (32)
Rainastorm
Very nice image:-)
stevey3d
Beautiful image Cathy! Love the blacks and reds!
e-brink
A very beautiful image. Nicely set out... and a bloody good background.
magnus073
Looks great to me Cathy and I love that background image you created
three_grrr
This looks like a character from one of Anne Rice's novels .. awesome and stunning and beautiful!
blankfrancine
Beautiful yet deadly character:at least for us humans! Neat Gothic render, Cathy.
doarte
A Most Elegant piece of art...Bravo. The composition and the colors are fantastic
Cimaira
Beautiful, and I love the pose, what an attitude, just by a glance and tilt of the head, great job.
pops
This is wonderful artwork indeed
amota99517
This is so lovely! I love the background and your whole composition.
wannes
Great pose and facial expression, very well done! Great bg too! Excellent work!
Zazou
Splendid artwork !
tulipe
Beautiful image and superb background! Very good expression too.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent artwork!
faroutsider
Exquisite, emotive render. Stunning background and metal work.
adrie
Beautiful dark gothic scene excellent pose and lighting.....well done.
Miska7
Very nice scene. Great character, outfit and lighting! Really nice work.
FS
A realy wonderful composition and expression!!!I like the colors and the lighting!!!
tofi
What a stunning composition! The blood red is an excellent chosen colour to give off that 'vampire', Gothic look.. and yet she is so very delicate and pretty.... She seems harmless, really. Most lovely skin and outfit! Her hair, so rich and shiny! Incredible border, and overall mastery, my friend!
adiemas
Very nicely done! I would love to see another one, maybe with the mask on! :) You pulled the look off very well.
novelist
Cool idea, adiemas. I'll get to work on another variation next week. Thanks for the suggestion. : )
lucindawind
fantastic work !
KarmaSong
I've just posted a photo on German Gothic heritage and open your gallery to find a Gothic lady:-) A superb composition and your model has a soul and seems lost in nostalgic reverie...Excellent!
Jollyself
this is elegant goth at its best... bravo
photostar
Red can be a difficult color to work with but you have used it extremely well here in your render. In fact, probably no other color would have worked so well with the character, setting and mood. Kudos to you on your render.
mgtcs
Fantastic render, excellent colors and mood!
kitzie21
The background does bring all kinds of wonderful gothic ideas to mind. I think you've really nailed the classic elements here. Well done!
Cgaynor
Cathy, this is simply beautiful work -love "the back story", the rummage of white and red.
beatoangelico
marveolus scene...superb the expression....magnifico work...Bravissimo..!!!
anahata.c
it's really nice that you told us that the image emerged out of the background (ie, you had the background first, then the image came to mind): That's how a lot of art is. Nice coordination between the red of her inner gown and the red of the background and the frame. And your design is chosen well (the gate & its details). Nicely creepy & with beauty, and with your usual sense of intelligence & design. I realize by now that you have a sense of when to 'stop': You don't crowd your designs unless they need to be. It's a hard-fought quality (don't even ask), and your background in the arts must have given it to you over time. Sensitive and intelligent work as always. And her vampirish qualities are nicely pulsing behind her...