My First Art Show!

This picture was from my very first artshow in Victoria.

It took a lot of courage to set up at the community centre and be on display to hundreds of people. I think however my biggest challenge was finding a printer that I could trust to reproduce my artwork into the posters, and cards that I put on display.

I found that not all print shops are created equally and that there can be a vast difference in what you provide as an original and what you receive as printed copies.

My Journey of Discovery and Expression

I think taking the time to write this has given me an opportunity to be a bit reflective and I hope that you won't mind the ramblings of a gypsy. It is a nickname that has followed me from a young age. I have a Ukrainian heritage and I have a strong feeling that the connection goes back many generations. Growing up I was always called a gypsy and a dreamer. The dreamer part was said as if it was something to be avoided. Imagine being told to get your head out of the clouds from an early age and thinking it was a "bad thing". Well today I can honestly say I've shed those old beliefs and have embraced that part of me again. My artwork has been an avenue for me to awaken all of those old dreams and it has been so very exciting.

I have always had an interest in art and graphics. My own attempts at creating art really began in 1997, when I started working on my first personal web and online card site. Visual images have always been important to me, and became increasingly so as I used them to express the emotions and themes I wrote about in those earlier years. I initially started in 2D computer graphics using Paint Shop Pro, which to date is still one of my favourite programs.

Early in 2002, I began visiting art sites on the web and quickly discovered the incredible beauty and potential of Bryce. It was my first step into 3D artwork. From those humble beginnings, Bryce became a passion and swiftly took over my recreation time. Using Paint Shop Pro I could change my rendered images to add colour, lighting and other effects. Then I discovered Poser and the answer to "what was missing" seemed to be answered as I was able to add the extra dimension of characters to my 3D scenes. From there Mojoworld took me on a journey creating fantasy landscapes. Now I combine all of these tools together to create my images.

I have fibromyalgia. Chronic pain has a way of wearing at the core of your soul and energy. Many people suffer from invisible disabilities and it is my heartfelt wish that those that do could know that they are not alone. My artwork has been part of a healing journey, an important outlet for expressing emotions and sharing my thoughts dreams and experiences. There are also times when it is an avenue to just cut loose and have fun. I think in so many ways art has helped me to rediscover the dreamer in me.