Welcome to Coffee Hour. This is an open topic thread so help yourself to the goodies and sit a spell and let us know what is new with you. I've always loved art. I have been doing it all my life. Mom kept my second grade report card where Mrs. Bluestein has put "Take a look at her art!" With early encouragement I have been able to work at my art and even sell some. When arthritis took away my ability to use a pen and paintbrush I turned to the computer. I have been a digital artist since 1998. In that time the computer and I have grown in our ability to create art. I have hundreds of pictures. Here are a few that have special meaning to me.
You can find prints of my artwork on my Fine Arts America account:
Phoenix Rising
I learned about the phoenix when I was a child in New Mexico. I heard the legend where it renewed itself and came out of the sun. The picture took a couple of days to render but I love it.
Planet Fall
This is a favorite picture of mine. I loved it so much that it is the centerpiece of my art wall in the living room.
Playing Catch
I am fascinated by dolphins. This picture was so much fun to do.
Pouring Starlight
This picture was actually inspired by a dream. There is something very mystical about the picture and I never tire looking at it.
Powerful
This is another picture that will be part of the new fantasy story collection. I love writing and I am excited to be exploring a character that can hold her own with any male when it comes to magic.
Rose Window
My late mother just loved this picture. I gave a framed copy to the priest who helped me through Mom's death and my brother Mike's death too.
Saturn and Enceladus
The picture was inspired by an article in National Geographic about Saturn and her moons. It was talking about the geysers on Enceladus and since there are no photographs from the moon's surface I decided to do my own. Imagine my surprise when I showed the picture to a man who did publicity for NASA when he wondered where I got the picture from. I know there are several people from NASA who have looked at my space pictures.
Shore of Dreams
I loved the picture but couldn't figure out what to call it. My friend over in Wales came up with the perfect name.
Space Station
I was in an abusive marriage when I did this picture and an artist had insisted I show my work in the art show. It was his encouragement that started me selling art. This picture was voted by the fans as Best Graphic Art in the show.
Starship Wonder
This picture was inspired by a bookmark that reads, "Welcome aboard Starship Wonder. Please disengage all earthly cares. Enter relaxation mode. Activate inspiration receptors. Engage imagination. Prepare to launch fantasy. Enjoy your dream flight!"
Teddy Bears Picnic
My Mom loved the song about the teddy bear's picnic so I did the original for her. Of course I had to put Pixie in the picture. She loved the picture and it brings a smile to my face every time I look at it.
The Road Less Taken
I love the Robert Frost poem. It took two pictures and blending them together to do this picture. It is a favorite of mine because I always felt that I too took the road less taken in life.
The Sea of Dreams
This was another picture that came out of having a bad day at work and worrying about my Mom. It was a lot calmer after the picture was done.
Under Starry Skies
My first cover art for a science fiction fantasy fanzine. I was thrilled.
Wizard's Tower
I love fantasy as a genre and this picture came about because of that love. It was one of those pictures where everything just came together.