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. Â 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)Â 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." Â
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 (25)
junilau
Trés belle image une jolie interpretation de Noël
blankfrancine
It's that time again,the holidays! Really cool Christmas themed render,Cathy.
doarte
Very Elegant, and your effects are perfect...BRAVO
zil2008
Very nice image.
cv1
She is really pretty!!
mgtcs
Fantastic character, excellent outfits and pose, congratulations!
magnus073
She looks simply wonderful Cathy, and is a perfect representation of Christmas
drifterlee
Beautiful render!
NoelCan
Very well done, impressive work..!
wannes
Beautiful and original Christmas card! Excellent!
adrie
Very beautiful and elegant lady my friend, also a beautiful image....excellent work.
e-brink
She's a powerful, yet elegant looking Christmas Lady. I have the sense that she's going to organize it better, rather than just go along with things.
Miska7
Very nice image. Great Christmas theme, character and outfit! Really well done.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
amota99517
Sweet work!
lucindawind
she lovely . it would make a beautiful Xmas card
faroutsider
Elegant, beautiful and vibrant. Another wonderful character sketch, Cathy. Happy holidays to you too.
stevey3d
Wonderful image Cathy! Superb textures!
three_grrr
Dreamily she gazes into the fire seeing the face of ... why Santa Clause of course!! Beautifully done, the lighting is just awesome. Wonderful Christmassy colors
M2A
This is beautiful. I like the light behind the lady.
tulipe
Beautiful composition!
anahata.c
she looks like a goddess who's come by to grace christmas, but who knows that there are many days & celebrations in the world & this is one of her stops along the way. You've used the Christmas colors in such a "cathy" way (that's a compliment), big broad red stars, the green leaves in a pattern (you do patterns throughout a lot of your pieces and they always show your keen design sense), forming overlaid patterns one over the other, and always vivid and intense; a patch of luminous blue behind her left arm (on our right) which I find beautiful; and her wings, made almost of spun gold wires & supports, as if she uses them but doesn't really need them, but has them for 'our' sake rather than ours. (Ie, ceremonial wings, because she can probably fly without them; like, "I'm going to greet Christmas, I better get out the gold wings!") And of course the gifts behind her. Always sensitive to how textures & masses overlap and interact, you manage to pack a lot into these 900X900 pieces (or thereabouts) and yet give voice to dominant figures & recessive ones at the same time, and maintain a sense of the whole frame. It's packed and bathed in interior light, and it's opulent, even for a face that's wholly serious & perhaps a bit lost in thoughts of what she has to do next. Well it's only Dec 1st, she has planning yet to do, and Lady Christmas has 25 days to get into the spirit; here she's coming by to be sure the christmas things are in place, giving grace behind the scenes, before the performance, so to speak (lol). Another full & intense piece of intuition; with a deep red feel, and your usual sense of nature all around...always a pleasure to share things in your gallery, Cathy.
Blush
another fav Hugs Susan~
Zazou
Wonderful scene ! Love the colors and details !
luoyx2008
Very beautiful。 ：）