Our 2015 Halloween contest was a success! We had loads of beautiful, creative and wonderful images, which I’m sure choosing just one was quite difficult.  But, in the end, the community chose 4 members and I decided to interview the Grand Prize winners from each category. So, please congratulate member EldritchCellar for winning Grand Prize in the 2D category.

The description of his image read, "Not Rats!

Robert couldn't believe his good fortune. The house was a steal at the price he paid for it, and in surprisingly good upkeep considering its size and age. The former owner, an eccentric professor of antiquities, had left the place spotless. Despite the hysterical gossip of some old timers in town, Robert was content with the acquisition. Rumors of the occult and the professor's mysterious disappearance weren't a concern for a rational man such as he.                                                      

The only minor issues that he had encountered thus far were some peculiar noises, late at night, issuing from the cavernous basement of the house. An examination of the basement had revealed the likely culprit; an ancient stone well sunk into the dirt floor at the far reaches of the area. Apparently the well had at one time been sealed by a rather sturdy looking iron banded wood cover, Which now lay oddly broken a few feet from the opening. Robert surmised that the uncovered well was allowing access to the basement by vermin. Rats. Or perhaps a family of raccoons? There weren't any traces of pest activity in the area but what other explanation could there be?              

He made a mental note to purchase fresh batteries for his flashlight, the inner basement was without any wiring or lighting arrangement that he could discern. He would also pick up some large traps and poisoned bait tomorrow evening on the way home from town. The services of a professional exterminator were a frivolous expense. He might do some research regarding the indecipherable script carved into the masonry of the well at some point. If he got around to it..."

 Q; How long did the image take?

A; It took me a few days to put it all together. I already had a sketchy version of the creature's head laying around in my unfinished projects. The contest topic was a good incentive to use it for a finished piece.

Q; What inspired you to do it?

A; I've always been interested in horror films, weird literature, and special effects so the contest topic was a no-brainer for me. I had recently been looking at a lot of images with 'Dark Stairs' or 'Creepy Basement' as the search criteria. I had planned on creating an image with that in mind when the contest topic came up, I felt it was a perfect match.

Q; How long have you been a member and have you participated before?

A; I've been a member of Renderosity for about a decade. This is only the second time I've entered into any kind of competition.

Q; How long have you been an artist?

A; Since I was a baby really, it seems to run in the family. I have a BFA and also create works in traditional media.