Retired professional full-time portrait artist and engineer (degrees in mathematics, engineering and photography... go figure).
If you read bios, and sometimes revisit them, you'll know in 2018 I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Then, in 2020, a new neurologist (because I moved across country) diagnosed me as having Parkinson's. Then, after some serious issues with jerking movements, she sent me to a movement specialist, and NOW this new neurologist who specializes in movement disorders has said I don't have MG, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, or any other host of neuromuscular diseases. She classified the movements as non-essential tremors, and said, "My hardware is over loading my software." That's the 2022 diagnosis.
2023 Update - It turns out that I have a half-dozen discs in my spine that are collapsing. Thus, Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD for short. I never knew that DDD could cause tremors (well, the pain causes them) and stuff like that. Now I go to physical therapy 4 days a week to hopefully avoid spinal surgery.
I've got high hopes and remain positive.
I started doing 3D renders in DAZ and Poser started when I first became sick at the start of 2018. It is a distraction from my symptoms, and I'm not under any pressure or deadlines to get things done. Even this is difficult on some days, but I can always stop temporarily to get some rest. In July, 2020, my wife and I moved across country to be closer to children and grandchildren.
If I'm not cooking or preparing for a meal, I'm rendering. Art and food are my passions.
I used to enjoy travel, bicycling, cooking (which I can still do in short bursts), photography (again, in short bursts), hiking and painting (which I now do digitally). I'm determined to do something with my time even if my strength is greatly limited.
Just prior to getting sick I drove ALL of Route 66. I've been using some of the photos from that trip and adding 3D characters to them. You can see them in my Route 66 gallery here on Renderosity. You can actually follow the story at Route66Photographers.com. It's a fictional story about my travels with a rambunctious young lady named Charly.
My wife is my biggest supporter. She helps me come up with ideas to render and paint.
Brent's Rules to Live By...
1) Everyone can teach you something regardless of age or education.
2) When you're down, a child's smile will always lift you up.
3) Keep God's commandments, as best you can, but when you can't, repent quickly.
4) Read your scriptures daily, but pray all the time.
5) Love everyone, but don't expect anything from them in return.
Artist of the Month - December, 2021
https://www.renderosity.com/article/24824/interview-with-december-2021-artist-of-the-month-dbwalton
Comments (6)
chrysaor
I am frightened, too. But its a good fright, awe ...
dbwalton
LOL... I'll keep on scaring you. ;)
radioham
The image is so very good I just can't find anything bad it is very good
dbwalton
Thank you. I've got to take a short break from Ai. It's exhausting to try to get an image like this. I'll be working on rendering in DAZ over the next few days.
EVargas
In my other answer I was referring to this type of comment and your tips, it is interesting to follow your point of view regarding AI generators. It's a good exercise in trying to find a link between reality and fantasy (or AI-generated), trying to understand where the dividing line is crossed.
dbwalton
Thank you for that comment. We're all resistant to changes (to one degree or another). While I'll admit there are areas where I have a hard time with change, when it comes to technology, I like to understand as I try to embrace those changes.
starship64 Online Now!
She's lovely!
dbwalton
Thank you.
Saby55
Great realistic image and excellent light!!👍🙋♂️
dbwalton
Thank you.
I remember learning about hair lights in photography class. I was so excited to get home and try it.
JoeJarrah
Astonishingly photoreal, and tonal triumph with the subtle complementary palette.
dbwalton
Thank you. Your astute observations are always fun to read.