My artistic life in as few a words as Possible.
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Before my first computer (a Macintosh 1600, one of the first of the so called Power PC's Apple put out), I did pen and ink work on my regular spot...  this being the steps of the First Presbyterian Church across the street from San Francisco's "Hard Rock Cafe".  I used to tell people I was between a Place and a Hard Rock  (I know, it didn't get any laughs then either) but after a few days sales skyrocketed.   As I got better, and MUCH quicker, at doing ink drawings of Wolves, Bears and other High end Animal Predators sales was a never ending sequence of 20 minutes of drawing (and making between 10 and 20 dollars in the time it took to make a picture ,because of people stopping to watch me draw and giving contributions of not less than a dollar at a time) and taking less than 10 or 20 minutes to sell them at the cheap price of 20 dollars, I was averaging about 40 to 60 dollars an hour on the street or my church steps.   To aid me, and because the police frowned on anyone standing or sitting in one spot, the church gave me an exclusive, signed and stamped letter saying I could be there 24 hours of the day.   At the time, and because I was then homeless,  I ended up not only drawing but eating sleeping and conducting all sales from that spot.
    Soon the word spread and people started to call me the "Wolf Man" because I could turn out a great wolf drawing in about 10 minutes, tops.   People would order pictures in the mornings and come back to pick them up on their lunch breaks or on their way back home in the evening.  ÂÂ
    Sadly at the time I had a bad addiction to some of San Francisco's finest drugs.   I would start drawing at 5 in the morning and end about 2 in the next morning.   As you can see I was not getting very much sleep but I was, how shall I put it, DRIVEN to do as much as I could and with the amount of money I was able to make kept not only my habit but those of a few "friends", if that is what you could call them.   When one makes about 500 dolars a day and can't even afford to rent a room then I say that is a SAD state to find one in.   My so called friends loved it..  I on the other hand started to feel like a hamster ion a tread wheel.   All that running and I got absolutely no where.   My state of mind because of the drugs and lack of sleep caused me to have a slight break with reality and so I eventually ended up in the state mental health programs.   I was already bipolar but when I started to get mad at people that were not there the outside world began to take notice and the church folk who supported me in my art endevours decided I needed help.  One day while screaming at the top of my lungs at someone that only I could see the church, which was having a Sunday school meeting inside decided that I fit the police description of what is called in California a 51-50..  A person that is in danger of hurting themselves or others because of a mental problem.   After the police arrived and sent me off to the hospital for 6 months of observation and treatment I was released.    Though I was making a lot of money I had come to realise that I could never get clean in San Francisco so I went to the coast hiway and left.  I made it just 90 miles that first day and ended up in Santa Cruz, California..  I had become determined to beat this problem of mine and though I would always be somewhat biPolar I knew that I must stop all drug use..  I did really good and though I didn't make as much for my artwork here (I wasn't driven by the drugs anymore) I did alright.   One thing lead to another and I soon met my wife.   About a year or so later we had our first child and my life settled down a lot.  I have continued to remain drug free for the last 15 years and now have a beautiful, and VERY smart daughter.   It was the best thing I have ever done.   I then dscovered the computer and photoshop.ÂÂ
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I have been doing this for about 12 years now.   Started out on Bryce 2 (not counting Photoshop) and went all the way through the most modern versions.   I picked up a copy of Poser 3 along the way and at first was not too happy with my inability to understand how to use it.  At first I just used it to populate Bryce pictures but then I started to catch on to a lot more of the possibilities that this program contained.   As my use increased my understanding of what was possible with Poser.   I am now so addicted that I have bought every upgrade that has come out.   As with Poser, most of the other programs I have bought along the way have been a real challenge.   I have (regretably) given up on most and remained with only Poser. ÂÂ
   I invite you all to partake of my gallery and, PLEASE, read the stories as well.   They give a whole other dimension to the pictures themselves.  ÂÂ
Life has become a totally different thing for me now.  I Own a very nice two story home on 3 acres, I have helped my wife start her business (she is a great animal groomer and a vetinary technician and my daughter is going to a College preparitory school, well on her way to a university of her choice (gets all straight A's and A+'s)  so I would say what ever  God there may be has smiled heavily upon me.   My health is not great but Hopefully I won't up and die in the next couple of years and my family is set for life.  On this note  I will end this little story and give my wish that you all stay healthy and safe and keep on doing your artworks as well...  Luv, GENE
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Comments (32)
genefleeman
Sorry it has taken so long to post a new image.. I have not been feeling all that well. I feel like I am letting myselfe down when I don't post pictures as I know something is missing when I don't.. Anyway, hope you like this one.. The Rhino Armour just made me think of this.. Good to be back..
tiff666
Hey cool idea with the rhino!!! Fantastic, hope you are ok!!!
njb2000
Great POV love the Rhino armour!
rocserum
outrageous creation! RS
fallen21
Nice scene!
Tracesl
fantastic! EXcellent
Igolochka
Fantastic indeed! Awesome idea and great realisation!
ragouc
Very good POV and pose.
Roboman28
Excellent picture. My best guess would be the Rhino Armour was a 2D add on simply because I dont know of any Rhino armour on sale. Quality pictures take time. Many beginners post a nude V4 with enlarged breasts and no background and call that art. Well you could prooduce thousands of those but what is the point.
Grimslade
fantastic job on this scene Gene; hope you're feeling better buddy
renecyberdoc
fine rhino and glad to see anew some of your works.be well and take care.
kelvinhughes
stunning my friend where did you get that saddle from and head gear 5+++++++++++++++++++
Pierrot_Lunaire
Amazing scene, great work!
Robert0921
Excellent image, faved. But I keep hearing Yosemite Sam yelling "WHOA WHEN I SAY WHOA, VARMIT!" :)
UteBigSmile
Stunning image and a very great idea!!! Have a nice weekend Gene, hug's Ute
lyron
Great render!!!
brewgirlca
Agree totally with Robomann - this is art and it is worth waiting forl. Images like this take time. Also the short story well establishes the temperament of your character - it too is well constructed.
2121
superb, wonderful work
Xanthmann
A wonderful story and a beautiful render! The lighting appears rather stark, and doesn't seem to offer the depth that this piece deserves (in my eyes, anyway). I know lighting creates longer render times, but the end product speaks volumes (I can't say I have room to talk, seeing as how I am still experimenting with it myself. Far from mastery). I don't mean to take away anything from this piece and it is very beautiful by any standard. It's just my opinion that it could be amped up even more with a touch more contrast. Still, highest marks!
Half-Baked
Lovely work!
RodolfoCiminelli
Splendid and very creative realization my friend.....!!!!!!
alessimarco
Love the rhino armor and the pov!
Arumbus
Excellent work!
mgtcs
Adorable my friend, gorgeous scene, really a great work! 10+
bazza
Gorgeous render this is great Gene love the story with this piece the rhino armour looks great and the girl is fantastic.. Another superb piece, well done!! Take it easy and look after yourself, your health comes first.. Have a great Day!!
tamburro
Excellent artwork!!!
BIGBEAR1965
Very cool and creative scene! excellent work
morganahope
HE'S SO FRIENDLY !!!!!!! BE CAREFUL DEAR FRIEND !!
bakapo
excellent point of view of these two wonderful characters. the rino is really neat, he's different and really handsome. take care of yourself, don't push too hard.
Indiskeyes
Sorry to hear you were sick. I hope all is better now. This is a great scene. I love the armour and as always the story tells enough to make me want to read the book ;).