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 (47)
blankfrancine
Marvelous and detailed fantasy, Cathy.great pose and expression.
beatoangelico
awesome scene and fantastic render..!!!
Amethystwolf
Very cool character.
waldodessa
Excellent work!
tofi
This is a most beautiful and stunning compostion, my friend! Difficult to look into the light sometimes... I can relate to him.. The world lies ahead, and continues to "do its own thing" and yet, at times we shun the opportunities to be acknowledged. Thoughtful and beautiful image to admire, with the most loveliest of details and symbolism! Bravo!
myrrhluz
Excellent image! Wonderful composition, detail and light! The tree beautifully frames him. I love his pose and expression!
ragouc
Cool character. Very good composition.
Zazou
Splendid Fantasy Art !
JeffersonAF
Excellent.
cmcc
marvelous mood.
KarmaSong
I've been away for a long time, but, popping in into your gallery with much pleasure, and realizing your work has evolved towards new directions: excellent choice ! I very much like this composition and the work behind it. I'll come again soon for further comments ! Keep it up ! :-)
anahata.c
This is another of your complex, multi-layered images portraying many mixed emotional states with real subtlety. The person here (or spirit) seems like he very much wants solitude, but is being intruded upon by--well, us. By the world. His gesture is both protective (one arm protects him) and expelling (the other pushes us away). You, as always, have great clarity of detail---here, in the log & tree & wonderful growth beneath his feet, and branches that could almost double as creatures. And great tangled branches above. Plus (I love this) you framed the top with leaves/branches, etc, showing your always-present design sense. (You didn't have to do that; the fact that you did shows your natural sense of design, it's almost a replacement for your oft-used borders; and they go across the whole piece, after all. Very nice touch.) The moss & ferns are very clear; and that plant in the right front---kind of like a huge 5-leaf clover (if I'm giving away my ignorance, mea culpa)---great plant, great bold presence. And then you have mysterious bodies of water, mountains & sky that I've seen in other images this last year (at least the sky if not the other things), suggesting transition but also an inward place which is perhaps where this spirit wishes to be, if he just didn't feel so intruded upon (discovered). It's a very complex & psychological vision, done with your characteristic clarity; and of a singular mood: brooding, a little anguished, and yet very placid, with intimations of places way beyond our sight. More very thoughtful & thought-out work from you, Cathy, and always, always fresh, new, a surprise. Oh---and the toadstools under the tree are wonderful!
psyoshida
Very amazing work. I'm sorry I missed it earlier. Wonderful details and the lighting is amazing. You are having fun!
Jedi_Padawan
Though I don't work with DS I think that this figure mixer seems to produce great results. Your atwork is a living proof. Great job, hon, especially the light effects are stunning! Please, keep it up, I'm looking forward to your new work. Lots of hugs, ~Sassy~
Cgaynor
I like the levels of this, the furtive nature of the figure. Subtle. Your use of the tonal range/darks and lights adds to the drama and focal point. There is a muturity to this work... Excellent!!!
anitalee
Excellent
three_grrr
Wow .. Cathy! this is amazing! you've morphed this so wodnerfully! I love the scene .. this looks like a cousin of Pan .. poor fellow just wants to be left alone!