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 (28)
magnus073
Cathy I can't think of a better way to close out my night than with a visit to your gallery to see your latest work of art. This one is exciting, beautiful and gave me inspiration I needed. Great work as always and hope you are back soon.
doarte
Elegant in every way. A genuine treat for the eyes, Bravo
mgtcs
This is a fine art work my dear friend, superb effects and composition, perfect, love it!
JSGraphics
Outstanding work! Well Done!
wannes
The frost texture and cold colors are wonderful, very well crafted!! Excellent work!
KarmaSong
This is a really gorgeous, amazing fantasy scene, with the special spirit of Christmas times...Fabulous work indeed! Well done!
lucindawind
gorgeous work Happy Holidays to you as well
magichild2
Oh wow...how beautiful this one is...nicely done.
tulipe
Beautiful image! Looks cold. Superb postwork.
SIGMAWORLD
Awesome! Excellent image!
e-brink
An excellent piece of work. Very well done indeed. I love the glow effect, the radiating lines and the frosty looking border.
faroutsider
When I lived in Canada, I would spend hours looking at the ice on the windows and the letting my imagination wander. This does the same for me... Superb artwork, my friend. Thank you, and happy holidays for you too.
blankfrancine
Brr! Most lovely wintry themed fantasy! Looks like something you might see on the cover of a fantasy novel. Great dynamism and framing. Happy holidays to you and yours,Cathy.
Blush
Awesome render TY for the holiday wishes I wish a Happy One for you as well This is a fav with me Hugs Susan~
tstray1
Very frosty and simply beautiful work!!!
amota99517
This is wonderful!!!! Fabulous work!
tofi
Such a glorious and fascinating image Cathy! Always so magical and uplifting for the spirits! Your images always leave me in wonder and awe! :)
adrie
Gorgeous and oustanding artwork my friend, excellent done love it.
popeslattz
She must have been watching over me as I drove through the snow yesterday. A beautiful image. Love the way you used the icy border.
stevey3d
Beautiful image Cathy! Superb composition!
Jollyself
beautiful... wonderful postwork
Zazou
WOW ! Stunning composition !!
tennesseecowgirl
Merry Christmas to you~~
Happy Holidays
three_grrr
Fantastic frosty/ice crystal background! Stunning work on this one. Excellent sense of motion!
anahata.c
I know I should concentrate on the work first, but how did you get that "happy holidays" to bounce back & forth, lol? I know, you're a whiz at code, and I know there's a code for that; but still. I don't think I've seen that in your gallery before...Ok, onto more important things. I decided to do one image per gallery this week, for time; and since I've been leaving long comments everywhere--to wish everyone a fine new year--it's taken more time than I thought. And then I come here: Coming here is like going back to an old friend's home, where I can stop, sit and share warm feelings & have a cup of cocoa and feel at home. Wonderful feeling. The goddess: You've given her a metallic sheen in spots, like overexposed film or electrically burnt copper plate; it makes her not only alit, but electric & powerful--powerful enough to pierce the shield of winter. And she does just that! Very nice shaping on the wings & arms, they reach out like jagged thought. But your background: If ever there's an example of your design sense & patterns, this is it. A lot's going on in that ice, lots of different patterns overlapping; and the lines reach into the center almost like the abstract expressionists would, with a boldness that doesn't care if it over-spills, it just "is". And you have a 'halo' of lines around the goddess, the way the renaissance masters did with gold in their paintings & sculpture. And you've "crowned" her with orbs and star-dust. It's a bluish image--winter, after all--but very powerful, esp with her breaking through the ice. And your cloud background creates a landscape. Some of your recent images have mysterious receding landscapes, where you're reaching straight through to the limits. I love this piece: And it isn't that I don't love the others as well, it's just that in only doing one, I'm totally taken by this. It's the perfect choice for New Years Eve. This guardian makes me feel safe & protected--though I don't think I'd like to piss her off, lol: She's truly a guardian, not an old pal, and don't know if she'd warm up to "how's it hangin', babe..." A terrific New Year to you friend, and may it be filled with lushness & light! Always a pleasure to come here, and I'll be back for more after the holidays...
psyoshida
Wonderful! I love the delicate frost. The whole composition is just exquisite!
giovanino
wow love that light
adiemas
This is amazing work! The colors blend so well!