White Scorpian of the Taklamakan
by Orinoor
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Description
The Tian Shen range acts as a border between the Dzungarian Basin and the Taklamakan Desert to the west. The Taklamakan is deemed separate from the Gobi because of its sandy basin surrounded by high mountain ranges.
Excerpt from "Among the Celestials" Travel Journal 1898
April 26th, left Kwei-hwa-cheng in a party of four, headed for Hami, in Chinese Turkestan, across the Gobi Desert on a journey that would take 10 weeks.
May 22nd: Reached the Bortson well, which gave us a much needed rest and grazing for the camels. Only now do I have the time to set down an extraordinary encounter.
Just two days prior, we had been traveling since early afternoon and the sun was close to the horizon. The wind was blowing, but not as fiercely as it had earlier. We spotted a grouping of tall, columnar red rocks which my guide studiously ignored, but being of a curious nature, I steered my camel in that direction to have a look. Approaching, I saw a hare bolt out of the bush and I pulled my pistol for a shot. Suddenly a woman appeared, brandishing a sword in what I could only consider a threatening manner. I should have turned and left, but I found myself quite taken aback by the sight of her. This was not a Mongol, nor any nomad common to the region, and by my honor I swear she looked a proper European woman in her face, with red hair and pale skin. Rudely perhaps, I merely stared at the sight until my guide appeared, shaking me out of my revery. He told me to leave quickly, this place was sacred. How could I leave her, apparently alone, a fellow European from the look of it? I turned to argue with my guide and when I turned back, she was nowhere to be seen, as if the very desert had swallowed her.
Her face haunts me, both in sleep and waking, I can still see her eyes, a hint of unshed tears making them shine. My guide will not speak of her, indeed, he insists I merely dreamt it.
--Captain Francis Younghusband, 1886
Note: While this is based on a real expedition, the encounter with the woman is fiction, although there are red haired mummies that have been found in that region.
Comments (38)
London224
Interesting story....right down to red hair mummies...
DrCarl
wow...this is glorious....the light the posing the composition the depth the atmosphere....need I go on! very impressed Carl
moogster
The lighting you've created is Amazing....a masterpiece in itself!!! Actually one of the best lit scenes I've ever seen done in Vue! 10+++++!!!
Seahorse
Wow!!!! Such gorgeous light and terrain!!!!! Beautiful work!!!!!
mgtcs
What a magnificent work and mood here, marvelous composition, masterful lighting, loved it a lot! Congratulations! **
castaneda
That's a gorgeous piece. Background is superb. Beautiful sky
ArtistKimberly
Beautiful
odile
This is superb. The depth of the landscape and light are stunning and most of all I like the way you textured the rocks with the petroglyphs. Bravo!
rbowen
Very beautiful and mysterious scene! Colors,rocks,figure,and lighting are fantastic! I love the story, also!
teecee2107
Excellent sky and terrain. Good lighting, too . I like the hair movement. Well done !
crender Online Now!
Xcellent!!!!
geoffwoods
this is gorgeous love the light it's stunning. The native drawings on the rocks are a beautiful touch, great work my friend. Geoff.
bigbraader
Very good render, wonderful lighting and subtle lensglare. It goes so well with your great choice of storyline. The "petroglyps" are a great touch, but when you thus direct our attention to the stones, I suggest you make them higher resolution, there are some noticable polygon artifacts (or, remove them in post, that's what I'd do smiles). Well done. 5*
Bossie_Boots
Very impressive scene i love the story too superb work !!
jclP
very good,,,the light the pose the compo the depth the atmo
Ancel_Alexandre
Awesome pic, and nice reading! Both are really stunning
Carlazzo
What a magnificent work of art!
3dpoetry
Excellent
Kindredsoul
you have achieved a higher level of realism here, very well done, O I love it and like the wind effects of her hair...
kits
Excellent work, very ealistic atmosphere, great sense of movement to the female, great job 5*
alessandra.gemmo
Great work! I always was fascinated by the Gobi area...
adorety
This is an amazing work. I love the lighting. The shadows and haze are fantastic. Love the character and the mystery she conveys matches your wonderful tale. The petroglyphs on the rock are a really nice touch. Exceptional work.
galung
Stunning render
WZRD
Excellent - I love the write up and the sense of mystery it creates.
faroutsider
Love the mood in this. Beautiful!
loligagger
Beautiful work and great story telling!!!!!!!!!!
sigung
I've read all the previous comments, and I don't think anything has been left unsaid. I would just like to add my wee, small voice the the thundering chorus of accolades. You have really come into your own as an artist, I find myself breathless to see what you will do next. There is a prelude to a classical guitar suite - Asturias. The name of the prelude is "Leyenda" - Spanish for "Legend" This is Legend.
tennesseecowgirl
Very nice image!!
kftate
Wow! Beautiful image. Gorgeous work!
vintorix
Interesting story but the color and lighting of this image is truly marvelous!