Owl Parliament

A group of owls sits perched on the edge of an old, moss covered bird bath. Representing several species, they seem to be holding a council or meeting of some sort. As it is fall, perhaps they have met to discuss the coming winter. There is a great grey owl, a great horned owl, and a snowy owl. They are flanked by two smaller barn owls. Each of them is subtly reflected in the still waters of the bird bath. All of the owls look back at, you, the viewer. Around them, the old twisted oaks have begun to shed their leaves for the autumn, yet the trunks are still covered in a deep green moss. Meanwhile a subtle mist drifts through the forest foliage.

For this work, I wanted to present a rather mysterious scene featuring some of the owl models I've sculpted over the past few months. As predators, I find that owls can, in some ways, be a bit creepy. So in order to emphasize this, I made them all staring back at the viewer, as if you have just interrupted their meeting. But I also like the idea that they are having some sort of council of the wise (as owls are a symbol of wisdom).

For the environment, I wanted an intense but unusual palette of colors. So I picked orange and green to dominate the scene and give it a surreal sense.

Thanks for looking!
Daniel

Galloping Mustangs

Three mustangs race across the grassy plains of the American West. On a cool November day, clouds drift through the cold blue skies over grass that has turned yellow and brown. Despite the chill in the air, these three wild paint horses kick up dust as they gallop freely across the prairie with the wind in their manes.

For this work, I was inspired by Edgar Degas's work "Jockeys in the Rain" which I once saw in person (though I can't remember at which museum). I liked the way the composition emphasized directionality of the riders and horses. I wanted to make a similar equine work, but I wanted a much more energetic scene featuring three very active horses (and no people), something more befitting of the American Wild West. I made the composition roughly in the shape of an arrow pointing to the right to emphasize the speed, motion, and direction of the animals as they cut through frame.

I created this image using CGI technology and digital painting techniques.

Thanks for looking!
Daniel Eskridge

The Windigo's Remains

A giant skull covered in moss lies on its side in a dense, misty forest. A path in the woods goes right through it's mouth. On this path, a woman in a short fur shawl rides a pale horse with a black mane and tail towards the skull. She appears to have stopped through, awed by the site of the massive skeletal remains of the giant that are before her.

Giants occur quite often in Native American folklore. One of the most well known is the Windigo, also call Wintiko, Kee-wakw, and Chenoo among others. From story to story they vary in sized and appearance, but can sometimes be very large. Generally they are said have once been human but transformed into monsters as they turned to cannablism. Sometimes they are incased in skin made from ice or stone. Another recurring legend about them is that their original human form in encased within the giant's heart.

I didn't really have a particular story or legend in mind when I planned out this image in my mind. I just had this concept of a giant skull resting in the woods. I added the girl on horseback more for a sense of scale, then made the scene vary foggy to give it a mystical quality.

Thanks for looking,
Daniel