PDN Fanatics

@ Lance, Helen and blackpenny ... many thanks ... and I thought it was a tomato plant leaf ...

@ Leif and BarbieQ' ... many thanks. I was going to make the background green, but along with not wanting it pulled by the mods on the main board - orange seems to work better

@ Oma ... many, many thanks.
You know me tooo well ... that there's always a bit of me in my work.
In this one it's me thinking about all the nights I used to spend with friends (all family men and workers) playing darts, losing a lot of brain cells.
I don't smoke like a fish anymore (and haven't for a few years), but I still think less trouble and violence is caused by that, than the people who drink a lot of alcohol, then think they're John Wayne

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Love Will Tear Us Apart Again inspired by this classic song Joy Division

Another love piece all dark and macabre.
I don't know why they turn out like this ... maybe more influenced by the music than I think ?

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I'm @ a crossroads in my artistic career.
In almost 3 years of using Paint.NET:
I've attempted to re-create real life things
Ventured into the world of Photo-Manips
Tried to make as realistic as possible in textures
And made some pretty strange abstracts that I actually like a lot

... I feel as if I'm a jack of all trades, but master of none.

Which of my styles would you like to see me concentrate on in 2011? And why?

one thing I've not seen you attempt yet is an animal. fluffy cat would be a real challenge for you I think. It would be a nice extension of the realistic work you do.

ciao OMA

ps I'm into more realism this year as well.

Master of none?

I beg to differ with you. You make some of the best realistic textures I have seen, and I wish I could be that good. I think that it ought to continue, and who knows, I might want to use some of your textures in my 3D work.

Photo manipulations takes a lot of skill, patience, and insight to create a realistic part of art. Matter of fact, I have been interested in making surrealistic art (think of the Doo Doo Bird piece), and I think you are already headed in that direction.

I don't care if your work appear to be dark or macabre as you put it. How often have we said on this board that art are usually inspired by the subconscious mind? I respect your artwork.

Here's another thing I have noticed coming from you, and it's on dA as well, photography. You got a real knack for finding the right shot and posting them. I hope you continue doing that.

Great new images Welshy! I think the dark one is best. Don`t know why, I just prefer it.

I agree with Lance though. I`d say you are a Master of all trades and a jack of none!

But personally I would go for Photo Manips. The reason being that your realistic objects and textures are superb anyway but as you said yourself , you have just ventured into PM`S so I would love to see more of what you can come up with.

Maybe I shouldn't have aksed, I may end up more confused as to which direction to head into ...

@ Oma ... Actually I like the idea of attempting an animal. Not a cat. Me and cats don't get on.
Maybe a horse ? Hmmmm
I've thought in the past of making a shark piece, because I made a close resemblance stone when making the pebbles image

@ Lance and Goon' ... thanks. But you flatter me too much. There's too many lil' flaws in some of my stuff, that if I hadn't rushed it would be a lot better

But your thoughts could go hand in hand.
I do like taking a good shot of a scene, and kind of you to praise my work Lance ... and I have enjoyed the photo-manips (some here are sooo clever http://welshblue.deviantart.com/favourites/41787800) That maybe I could combine the 2. Some of my scenery shots, manipulated to be a bit wacky and surreal

Food for thought. Thanks good people

Welshblue! Stop! Don't ever say you're not a master. To me, you're an amazing artist. For many of your images, I was tricked. I thought they were photos. However, I love oma's idea. I'd love to see you try making an animal in PDN. I'm kind of hoping you'll do that one soon.

As everyone says - don't be so hard on yourself! Your work is always different and your scope wide, the results of which are amazing. You are very talented and you have taught me a lot. As Helen said, a lot of your pieces look just like photographs - they are that good!

The Heart looks so silky and will be just perfect for Valentines
Headshot reminds me of maltesers and is that a Canadian flag in the background
As to Bo(a)rd Games - does this suggest you find draughts boring?
Now - Hate December is very personal, me thinks, and I hope if you do January, that you will feel a lot brighter

I'm so sad you feel that way about cats. Not everyones cup of tea I guess, but my hubby says that he's really grown to love them over the years. You see I came with cats A case of love me, have to love the cats

Please keep up the great work and your photography is wonderful as well

Welshy, I like the darker one. Love really can be like that. It isn't a bed of roses. Then again maybe it is with the thorns sticking through in places. Love is like a fire. Left unattended it will die. Overdo it & it will cause a great deal of harm. Maybe your romantic images are dark because love really has that side too & you have seen that.

I would like to see a shark from you. I like them a lot. Fish of any kind really. Esp. like those Koi ones the Japanese do.

What I like is the deep, dark abstracts. I create what the mood dictates & the inspiration. Often it is jewels probably I either wish the world was more beautiful (& people kinder, less suffering & hardships etc) or because I see a lot of beauty in small things every day. So my advice is to go with what you feel.

You are certainly a master to me. Perhaps you are thinking that you don't have a defining style? Trust me, you have a style that is all your own & a treasure to behold.

You most certainly have a knack for photography & I'll like to see some more images like the Christmas one you did. Take a photo & manipulate it. The one with the bridge & put a bleeding heart with blood spatters, a broken rose & a raven into the virgin snow & give it a dark vignette or even Lomography filter.

Did I hear mention of a knight?? I like the castle type images too, esp the insides. Maybe a knights of the round table? A great big 4 poster bed with velvet curtains?

Alcohol has & continues to wreak havoc with lives but then other mind altering substances do too. It should be recreational not wreckreational.

My post is all over the place like a puppy dog's breakfast. Back on track - which art style? The one that gives you the most pleasure & personal satisfaction. Why? Because if you create art to an audience you won't be happy because you can't please everyone (know the song?). My husband says that the creation of art is selfish & is so by necessity & the very act. Sometimes I think I understand this.

~WelshBlue~ wrote:
... I feel as if I'm a jack of all trades, but master of none.

Is that really your problem? I think all here will agree that you are very good at most of what you are doing.
Isn't it more that when you have made one thing, you don't feel like starting all over and make another one like it? You want to make something deferent. So why not make what you want to make at the moment, and not try to force yourself to do the same again and again?

Welshy, maybe you're over-thinking this? And thinking you *should* pick a direction and stick with it? I do the same thing, I experiment with all kinds of different things, but don't really stay with one style, and start thinking I should get really good at something. But my enjoyment comes from trying things, and I can get bored very easily. So I could also be called a "jack of all trades and master of none". Or dilettante, because it sounds fancier.

I couldn't suggest anything specific for you to concentrate on, I say do what you want to do at the moment, and not worry about having a particular style. If music inspires you, go with it. If you're in a mood, use it. I find that the things I like best are not planned. When I try to make something happen, I usually end up disappointed and frustrated. When something seems to come out of nowhere, most of the time it works out just right.

So I guess what I want to say is, don't think so much, do what feels right, and see what happens.

I like the two new images, can't say I like one more that the other, they're both great.