Fantasist's Scroll

Just more of that crazy floating lake.
This time, instead of World War Two bombers, I’ve filled the skies with fantastical fantasy airships. There’s just something about the surreality of islands and lakes hanging, unsupported in the sky that cry out for fantasy zeppelins scooting amongst the clouds.

It also seemed like a good way to start the new year. Frankly, last year was a long, brutal year and starting this new one with a bit of whimsy seemed appropriate.
Happy New Year!

Well, I just keep on doing art, eh?

This was inspired by Views by Roger Dean. He’s one of the artists behind the amazing sets that Yes used to use on tour. Bizarre, alien landscapes are his stock and trade. The images he has of floating islands, especially with lakes and oceans in the island, just really captured my imagination as a kid. Totally engrossing and mind expanding. Incredible.

Anyway, that’s what inspired me to try to make my own, photo-realistic floating lake. I hope you like it.

Well, I told you it was part of a series!
So, yes, this is the same thing with the fish, but this time, I’ve added a sunken temple and a boat. But, the temple is way off in the background and the boat is basically invisible, except for the hull in the water. Still, it’s a pretty good composition, I think. (You don’t have to agree.)
And, whatever else it is, at least it’s art!

Well, look, how creative!
Fish! Yea, the stereotypical 3d artist’s first image, tropical fish underwater. Well, at least it’s not dolphins! I could be worse! Actually, this is the first of several in a similar vein I did some time back. Recently, I went back to it and added some things, but, that’s for later.

Yes, apparently even airplane geeks dream.
And, when they do, they dream of fantastic, frightening, freaky planes. Some even dream them into existance. Mostly, though, they just exist as fantasies. Still, someone has collected a bunch of them together into one easy-to-use webpage: Fantasy Planes.
Perfect for a Friday Fun Link!

Hey, it’s Friday, dream big and click the link!

Here’s a little bit I did with fish.
The classic beginning image for 3d artists is something underwater, with fish. Usually, with dolphins, but I managed to refrain from that bit. Still, this is a look at shore from the underside of a mythical tropic paradise. A “fish eye’s view”, if you will. I hope it’s different enough to warrant its inclusion here.
Well, anyway, it’s art. Of a sort.

It’s been a long time since I posted any of my digital art.
That’s partly because I’ve been so busy getting divorced, changing jobs and just generally trying to maintain my life. Still, as things stabilize, I plan to do more of this art stuff. And, of course, I’ll show it here. I suppose I should start putting copyright information on these things, but I don’t really care if anyone steals them. They’re not good enough to get money out of anyone, or I would have tried already! So, just enjoy them.
This one is a nice, little river valley with gold veins in it and a freaky plane.

Well, pretty soon, maybe.
According to this article on WiredNews.com, it’s in the works! To be more specific, big makeup manufacturer L’Oreal is working cosmetics that mimic the structure of a butterfly’s wing using only chemistry and light instead of the traditional pigments, waxes and oils in “normal” offerings. What’s more, they can use these new techniques to create surreal effects that just aren’t possible with traditional cosmetics. Freaky stuff, but kind of cool, too. I wonder how long before this develops into some kind of bizarre body-modification cult thing. I can envision chemicals that create scale and fur-like effects already, so I’m sure someone is working on it.
Once again, science is making science-fiction real.