As an artist, I do four things; Oils on Canvas (Social Commentary), Drawings of National Parks, Photography of Birds and California Native Plants and 2D/3D Digital.
Since most here will be interest in digital work, I'll talk about that. I started in the digital world with a TI-99/4a computer in the early 1980's and immediately started creating art and animation with a very limited graphic range in hexadecimal code (16 colors, 256 shapes). I eventually became a published artist for Asgard Software and a year later when out on my own to form “Notung Software” which became on of the most popular TI Software companies. In 2010, I was inducted in the TI-99/4a Hall of Fame.
After making my switch to the PC, I started with Sketcher (the precursor to Painter) and even owned Fractal Design's "Poser 1". I didn't start seriously playing with Poser until Version 3 came around. With the advent of Poser 4, I began by creating textures and started a career as a digital artist, selling my work through Zygote, Vista, DAZ3D, Hivewire3D and Renderosity.
I really didn’t find my nitch in the 3D world until I partnered with BL Render to do the Songbird ReMix Series in 2003. The following year, I came into my own blending my love and knowledge of birds with a strong environmental theme "Threatened, Endangered, Extinct". That set, designed specifically to raise awareness about threatened species and why they're going extinct, became a template for all my work.
Since then I’ve steadily worked on improving my skills with Painter and Modo, and of course, producing more 3D birds and other flora and fauna with a strong environmental message. Today, the Songbird Remix birds have appeared in films such as ”I am Legend”, in Audubon literature and advertising, Duncraft (bird product & seed) advertising, in the museum presentations (such as the National Wildlife Research Center of Saudi Arabia) and even billboards and bus benches for the Omaha Reads promotions.
Besides being a Renderosity Vendor, I work at home as a freelance artist/photographer and also volunteer/lecture at the Theodore Payne Foundation (a Foundation that focuses a native plant awareness) and at Audubon California.
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
This site uses cookies to deliver the best experience. Our own cookies make user accounts and other features possible. Third-party cookies are used to display relevant ads and to analyze how Renderosity is used. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy.
Comments (14)
Flint_Hawk
These are such lovely birds! Your picture really shows it off well!
anniemation Online Now!
Beautiful bird. So sad what has happened to them and their environment.
CoolDimension
Beautiful photo and bird.
brain1969
Outstanding work
Paulienchen
Ein sehr schöner Render
KarmaSong
A gorgeous bird and excellent scene render !
STEVIEUKWONDER
Beautifully crafted. A real pleasure to view Ken!
Kordouane
Always so beautiful, happy holidays next year my friend!
mtdana
Fantastic render!!!
mininessie
amazing!
mifdesign
Gorgeous photo. Some camera specs would be nice to have.
Magnificent Masterpiece of Finest Arts. I love it!
Ken _Gilliland
Thank-you for the comment,... I'd put in the camera specs if it was actually a photograph, but it's not... it's an iray render done in DAZ Studio of my 3D birds models :)
3DClassics
Looking at mifdesign's and CoolDimension's comments, I see that your extraordinary 3D work - and information - for our culture and the preservation of wild life is not well known by some people on RR! Go on your superb work!
Ken _Gilliland
Thank-you so much. I'm glad my conservation message breaks through some of my images. That's my sneaky, subliminal mission behind most of the art I create ;)
beachsidelegs
Stunning bird a beautiful image my friend...Merry Christmas to you :)
Ken _Gilliland
Merry Christmas to you :)
kharnes
Very good work on this!