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 (41)
mgtcs
Wonderful image my friend, amazing background, very inspired work!
magnus073
Cathy you have outdone yourself on this one as it is a hauntingly beautiful image. Congratulations on a splendid way to celebrate your 100th post
ssteph
Haunting image
Juliette.Gribnau
delightful
wannes
Beautiful scene, very well done! Excellent work!
blankfrancine
Love the atmosphere in this one,Cathy.Happy 100th!
lucindawind
this is beautiful I was a flower childl once upon a time lol congrats on your 100th !
shingleboot
Wonderful image, nice effect
thecytron
Wonderful artwork!
adrie
Such beautiful scene my dear friend, superb artwork....excellent done.
magichild2
Very lovely...yet haunting for sure
tulipe
Amazing scene! Great atmosphere.
jascorpio
so beautiful haunting image.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
calum5
Ogie boogie woogie !Yikes that creepy,and well made:)bye cal
Miska7
Very nice scene. Great lighting and atmosphere! Really well done.
anitalee
Excellent
drifterlee
Congrats on your 100th! Gorgeous render!!
popeslattz
Amazing, creepy scene. Really well constructed and rendered. Cool postwork. I'm going to have to try that filter. One thing...her right leg seems to be cut off. Perhaps this has something to do with her haunting this place...???
NoelCan
Wonderful scene. Well done..!
e-brink
Beautiful title for a beautiful image. A lovely celebration for your 100th posting. A very nicely done atmosphere. Even as a ghost shoe has a very good presence and character - excellent.
amota99517
Outstanding work! You really nailed it on this one. The transparency for the ghost child is excellently done. Congrats on your 100th post.
Darkwish
Nice one! Very well done!
three_grrr
Okay .. comments on the comments, I don't see the right leg as being cut off .. I can see the foot amongst the foliage .. and creepy? I don't think so at all. There is a feel of sadness .. sort of bittersweetness .. a kind of strange feeling of sorrow and missing the soul that was warm and living once ... It's beautiful, and among the best you've done. Maybe because it so touches me.
JaneEden
Cathy you created an outstanding artwork here, it is so very hauntingly sad but so very beautiful too. You did an exceptional artwork dear friend, many congratulations on your 100th, hugs Jane xx
FS
Great scene and atmosphere!!Congratulations on your 100th post.
Zazou
WOW... Amazing piece of Art !
faroutsider
Congrats on your 100th posting! And what a beauty - once again, brimming to capacity with emotion. You don't create pictures, you create art!
tofi
My Goodness Cathy, this is outstanding! The effect of you have created here is brilliant... it's breath-taking, absolutely! It tells a story, perhaps left to one's own imagination. Haunting and chilling, and yet ironically, not gory, but rather beautiful and delightful. This would be something that sends shivers down one's spine; but in a different sense, atypical from the common "haunting". Gorgeous details and setting. How perfect the lighting is as well... incredible artwork! And a very Happy 100th, my friend! You deserve an enormous amount of praise and congrats on your talent and artistic skill!
Minaya
Fantastic artwork! Wonderful mood!