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 (22)
popeslattz
Very cool. It has that spacey feeling just like the song. Ethereal...
NoelCan
Excellent...
magnus073
Cathy this really is such a beautiful image that is very inspiring.
blankfrancine Online Now!
Awesome image, Cathy.Happy New Year to you!
mgtcs
What a wonderful view my friend! Beautiful work, congratulations!
amota99517
Outstanding work! I love it!
faroutsider
Thank you - I've always been curious about the structure of the ocean... Gorgeous abstract, Cathy!
adrie
Very beautiful design and outstanding artwork my friend.
magichild2
This piece is so cool looking...lovely design...
Miska7
Very interesting image. Great lighting and textures! Really well done.
tulipe
Amazing image! I feel like diving into it! Happy New Year!
three_grrr
Oohhhhhhhs and Aahhhhhhhhs! Stunning work! Love the sense of the moon rising over the ocean, the hint of Aurora Borealis there to the left in the sky, and the absolutely fantastic ocean depths! Hope your Christmas was wonderful, and that the new year brings only good things your way.
psyoshida
"Stunning work" is absolutely right! I just love the whole creative composition and lighting. Excellent artwork.
Jollyself
very beautiful...bravo
wannes
Fascinating abstract/surreal artwork!! Excellent!!
farmerC
This is Shining work.
kasalin
Thanks for sharing, wish You and Yours a Happy New Year ! Hugs Karin:)
stevey3d
Superb image Cathy! Happy New Year!
e-brink
A fascinating and nicely balanced composition with a great title, and of course, you could turn it upside down and that would work just as well for maybe a totally different civilization... or maybe they change over every thousand years. Wonderfully dual purpose and therefore twice as interesting.
SIGMAWORLD
COOL!
Zazou
Excellent !! My best wishes for 2010 ! :)
anahata.c
the piece really takes on a special meaning when we see your title: It's like a vast city underneath the waters, which we only see via the rippling reflections of the sea. You even have whispers of it in the "second" tier, behind the first huge bits of city in the foreground. Above it, a sky with hints of lights and pathways (maybe stars)...and a setting winter sun, diffuse, a bit bluish and pinkish (as winter setting suns get) and reflected nicely in the water, with a pink line across the horizon. I sense that this 'underwater-scape' is presently empty of people, but it feels more like they're simply not out for us, but that they're there all the same. Maybe we're looking at a moment of preparation, or a moment after...new years always has a sense, the 'actual' moment being such a crazy time, it's almost worth not painting (lol). And then, from Craig's remark, maybe this is the inner structure of the ocean itself! Craig, being a scientist, may dream of seeing these inner structures visualized so vividly. Maybe this is the 'molecular structure' of the seas. In any case, it's nice that we get hints of something intense down there, because your light intensifies towards the bottom. A primal pre-year image, things to come but not yet unfolded, with a quiet about it, pre holiday, post holiday, just still and very quiet...