Hiboux: One of my four rescued friends
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear.  What one fears one destroys."
--Chief Dan George (1899 - 1981)
The avatar I use is a photo of a kitten who adopted me last fall. She came to my door one night, hungry and cold and in need of shelter. I had already adopted a rescued dog and 2 fostered cats (I have a friend who works in animal rescue), but another friend told me that being chosen by a cat was a special thing, so, here she is in her new home. I called her Hiboux (French for owl for those who don't already know), since she reminded me of a snowy owl tapping on my door.
Sorry I need a new digital camera. The one used for this photo was one of the first ones ever made that utilizes a floppy disc. I am attached to it, but thought it was more important to show off my kitty here since this is merely my "home" page and not a display of my digital art. I'll update it as soon as I can.
I live in the US Midwest, have a degree in landscape design, compete nationally (only in the US so far) in dancesport, and choreographed contemporary dance for over a decade. I've been writing since childhood--mainly for my own amusement. A few of my poems have been published in obscure places and I used to write many interviews which were published online for years. None of my novels have met the public eye yet and that's OK because for me "the joy is in the journey." ÂÂ
I'm hooked on creating digital art. I stumbled upon it when I worked online for 11 years as a content editor and became intrigued watching the medium grow. 3D art feels like a good niche for me combining movement, landscape, my love of nature, history, art, technology, myth and storytelling . . .  I love to experiment with software and hope to continue to grow as an artist. I'm in awe of many of the beautiful works shared on this site. I've also begun a blog here called "A Novelist's Adventures in Digital Art" where I list useful sites and tools I find along the way:
My Blog
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I consider myself a beginner at digital art. We all have to start somewhere. I try to encourage other creatives on all skill levels as often as I have time. I learn a lot from the artists I favorite here and even from private emails with tips if you feel so inclined. I dont allow ratings in my gallery anymore, because I don't believe in "grading" art--it doesn't fit into my personal philosophy. That said, I do often admire many of the talented professional artists and am happy when they are showcased on the art charts here and feel the rating system--though it has flaws--is important to honor excellence.  I do appreciate any comments and appreciate constructive criticism and suggestions.
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"Every artist was first an amateur."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 Thank you for visiting my gallery!
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Comments (26)
magnus073
You did brilliant here Cathy, and I was able to instantly recognize this one just by the thumbnail. Cool work and you can almost feel the tension building.
blankfrancine
Fantastic! When I saw the title in my email, I didn't know what to expect.Nice water and suds effects,Cathy. There are a ton of free Gimp brushes on the web.
RodS
Very nice! Mr. Hitchcock would be proud. I'm not as experienced with Gimp as I am in Photoshop, but I'd say you've done pretty darn well with those brushes. It looks like a photo of water coming from one of those massage shower heads. What's that music I keep hearing? :-P
mgtcs
Wonderful, great Hitchkock scene my friend, LOVE IT!
Osper
Well done anyway!
e-brink
It's a great depiction of the psycho scene - instantly recognizable in glorious black and white. You got the face great too.
Cimaira
I think it looks fantastic! I love the expression, I can feel her fear! Excellent work.
psyoshida
I recognized the "shower scene" right off, and the terror swept over me immediately. Guess this means I won't be taking a shower for a while. Lol. Superb job, how did you get her face so spot on? Just wonderful!
three_grrr
Wow! The experssion on her face is dead right! and the water is awesome! Is that a brush you used? because it looks like a photo of water! I love using brushes .. I use them to erase with as well as adding things, they are so versatile! I never saw the movie, but for the longest time after it came out I had a real hard time with showers. Just hearing about that scene freaked me! So now I'll be posting the dogs on guard at the bathroom again for a year or two, LOL!!!
wannes
Superb facial morphs, excellent paint job too!!
adrie
Outstanding and stunning Hitchcock shower image my friend, excellent work on the expression and i like the water brushes.....excellent work.
njb2000
Great work with the water!
Miska7
Really nice image. The water effects look great to me! Very well done.
tulipe
Beautiful black and white image. Her expression is right on.
faroutsider
Oh no! Just when I thought it was safe to get back into the shower... Beautifully rendered - the monochrome really sets the mood and the water brushes are extremely successful.
amota99517
This turned out absolutely great! The facial expression is so well done as is the water. Super work!
popeslattz
Cool image. Love her sideways glance. I use PS, not Gimp. In PS you can use a displacement map to get the suds to conform to the figure a little more. Also try lowering the opacity.
Flint_Hawk
Exellent work! Ron's brushes are great!
JaneEden
Oh you did a brilliant job here Cathy, and I think also the water does look really effect and real, very well done my friend in making us relive the old Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece of a film, hugs Jane xx
Zazou
Great idea !
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent image!
myrrhluz
Wonderful! I love her expression, and pose. This is just the moment where the fear has started and she is frozen by it. Beautiful water. Excellent!
Madbat
and the problem with this is what exactly???
Jollyself
great depiction of that classic
DocHaze
Fantastic work...
Cgaynor
I can almost here the music-wonderfuly frightening! Excellently done!