Eden, The Final Reckoning, and others

In this posting, I am presenting five new images, created over the past week or so. Two of them are offered as what I call serious works, one is a study, and the other two are more frivolent, fun pieces.
When I use the word serious, I do so to emphasise that these are not quick-fix images produced by playing around with a keyboard and some software. They certainly weren't quick, and they were the result of long periods of contemplation and hard work. On occasions that work can be mind-bending, as I struggle to persuade the software to perform the tasks I require.
The reason for me saying all this stems from an incident recently, in which I was involved, which demonstrates the serious prejudices which still exist against digital media. It was suggested that I didn't "get my hands dirty" as I might have done if I had limited myself to more traditional paints, such as acrylics or oils. Strange that acrylics should have been mentioned, because only very recently have they been accepted as a serious medium, and in fact, many galleries still refuse to host such work.
I deliberately used the word 'limited' a couple of sentences ago, because that is the way I see those 'traditionalists' who refuse to take on board advances in technology. They just cannot seem to encompass the idea that digital software is just another tool to add to their arsenal. At the end of the day, art is about delivering a statement, albeit a visual one. It is not about the methods employed to reach that goal: that is craft, and maybe there lies the bone of their contention. Maybe they believe that as a digital artist I have not 'paid my dues' by learning the craft of the medium, as though all that is necessary is for me to push a few keys and the programming will do everything else for me. Let there be no mistake, the complexities of the software are no easy topic to learn. I have known professionals who have been using the same software as myself on a daily basis for years in a commercial setting, and who still claim that they are but scratching at the surface of the subject. True, with just a little knowledge a great deal of fun and a certain amount of success can be had, but that success wil be limited in its range.
Anyway, now that I have ranted long enough in support of digital art being 'real' art, perhaps I should say something about the pieces I am presenting here.
This first is one of the serious works, and was conceived in order to express my personal concept of what it might be like to come face to face with the moment of reckoning, those last moments approachingthe point of death. Death is always going to be a terrifying experience. It will be apocalyptic in personal terms. At the same time, I also had in mind the possible alternative apocalypse, the sudden and violent end to this world as we know it. However, what you see here will always be your own personal perspectives. Incidentally, this piece was 'designed' to be printed pretty large, anything up to sixty inches wide, if ever I can find someone with the equipment capable of doing so.

The Final Reckoning (digital) (click to enlarge)



This second piece, also hopefully to be taken as a serious work, is anything other than apocalyptic in its subject matter. Again a personal viewpoint, it depicts one way of perceiving the Garden of Eden. A place unspoiled by the hand of man, a place where he/she lives in harmony with the beauty and diversity of nature. Again, this is intended to be printed reasonably large, perhaps thirty or forty inches square (one metre).

Eden (digital) (click to enlarge)



'Ignition' is a study piece, what tradtional artists would call a sketch. I'm not going to say much about it at this time, its title is self-explanatory, and in all probability I shall post the image again in the future, alongside the finished painting that I am currently working towards completing. How far into the future that will be is indeterminate, just as it would have been had it been sitting on the easel.

Ignition (digital study) (click to enlarge)



And now we come to the 'follies', or less serious images. Both are quite simple in their composition, and in the methods used to produce them. These are genuine 'quickies'.
They were both created to support and be included in a 'Quick Digi' thread in the WetCanvas web forum. The thread has in the past, and continues to be, a learning ground, and a generally fun place, for those wishing to experiment with or just play around in the medium. I give it my support because I believe that many people who feel that they cannot produce art, who cannot express their emotions and experiences so well through more traditional methods, or who find themselves shackled by conditioned realism, or even indeed simply don't have the time required to be more dedicated to their art, can often experience much joy by exploring the possibilities of doodling or 'sketching' their ideas and presenting them in a less formal critique setting. We all have visions and dreams, let them see the light of day, that others might enjoy them also.
Both of these pieces demonstrate the potential of a very limited knowledge of the software, requiring only very minimal use of the standard tools.

Stars and Stripes (digital) (click to enlarge)



Oppulance (digital) (click to enlarge)


Many thanks for taking an interest in my work. Comments are always most welcome, using the facility at the close of this post.