Retired professional full-time portrait artist. I was recently diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (grave muscle weakness), a disease where your own body's immune system attacks the your muscles. As a result, I'm stepping back from my business and closing my studio.<br /> <br /> 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. I recenly, July, 2020, moved across country to be closer to children and grandchildren.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> My wife is my biggest supporter. She helps me come up with ideas to render and paint.<br /> <br /> Brent's Rules to Live By...<br /> 1) Everyone can teach you something regardless of age or education.<br /> 2) When you're down, a child's smile will always lift you up.<br /> 3) Keep God's commandments, as best you can, but when you can't, repent quickly.<br /> 4) Read your scriptures daily, but pray all the time.<br /> 5) Love everyone, but don't expect anything from them in return.