Magic the Gathering Input

So, one classic element of Magic (from the early days - not ongoing - but any long-time player knows about these, and there is something more subtle that has now taken their place) is the "C-O-P" or Circle of Protection.  When I think of this, these cards are what I imagine:

As you can see, these could be something on the ground or on a stone or wall or door.

We also mentioned hedrons, which are a newer addition to the game, but they played a big role in one set, Zendikar, and they are going to appear again in a set in the near future.  As you can see they can be evoked in a number of ways - highly crafted or quite rugged - they can be floating or earth-bound, or even hidden in a jungle or forest:

Caleb mentioned dryads, though I think you probably have already gone this direction (along with ents)

One element that Caleb didn't agree with me about, in terms of being iconic is the idea of obelisks or borderposts, and he's right, they're not a big element of the game, but they are recognizable, and I think you may have already gone this direction a bit with the standing stones you've mentioned:

The Black Lotus is absolutely THE most iconic card in Magic.  Most players today have never seen one.  They came out in the alpha and beta versions and were "broken" (i.e. too powerful).  They are now worth tens of thousands of dollars each!  Though many players today have never seen one, we all know what a Black Lotus is!

I'm also going to send on some lands that are my favorites.  This is just me talking, not necessarily my boys - though we all love the "island" - but it's not at all subtle, and the key remains subtlety.  You'll see the Magritte influence in this though.  (I don't know if you could hide a hint of this in a strap or something - or have a hint of this, earth-bound maybe, somewhere - if not, no big deal - again going for subtlety!).  The other is a forest, and I just like it.  I don't know that any element of it could be incorporated, but I'm just sending these last two to share a couple of my favorites:

Well, that's quite a lot!  I hope it helps!

Cloud Ideas

Hi Tom!

David got to work on this.  We found some clouds that have elements of what we would like, and I hope by sending all of these on that it will give you some idea.  Caleb has expressed liking "billowy" clouds.  David would like some element of storm or rain in the background or clearing to the side.  We all like what we call "God lines" (sun rays coming through the clouds).  I hadn't thought of it, but when David found the second image below with the cloud shadows on the landscape it just really struck me.  I'd like to have somewhat more blue sky than what is on these images  .  .  .  (I think you can click on the images to enlarge them).


Note:  The first three photos are our top 3 cloud picks.  Thanks!Storm clouds  (love the bold clouds with the rain – far on the horizon)

 landscape with shadows  (love these shadows on the ground  - up close)

landscape and sky (maybe these clouds in the foreground to go with the shadows)

clouds with  sun (some other cool clouds for you to consider)

distant  storm with rain  *search for “Small storm in Kansas | Flickr - Photo Sharing!” for another cloud to consider”

Accessible Gamer Art for Dining Room :-)

OK, so here's the big vision that's in my head.

The key for us is that this piece (or triptych) have a definite "gamer" flavor and yet be totally accessible and acceptable to "ordinary folk" who might come for Christmas dinner and such.

1) IDEAS I HAD FOR SOMETHING "ACCESSIBLE":  (If I were to purchase something "ready made")

Old world map:

Tuscan landscape:

1a) Something that seems to me to be kind of a bridge between "accessible" and "gamer" is something along the lines of an Arthurian piece in a romantic style (though this particular piece is too, I don't know, um, boldly "thematic" - and too familiar also)

2) IDEAS I HAD FOR SOMETHING "GAMER-Y":

Had we been able to find the following cycle of five Guru full art lands from Magic in an appropriately-sized format we would have purchased them as they are ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.  They are attractive and accessible but also intriguing, blending landscape and science.  I think to most people they would just be interesting, unique, attractive pieces, but to us they "scream" Magic because they represent the 5 colors of Magic: The Gathering - white plains, blue islands, black swamps, red mountains and green forests.  I've posted a large image of the Plains and then an image of all 5 together.  I love the eclipse as it moves through each one creating a continuum.

Here is some more artwork from Magic cards, just to give a flavor - everything below is too blatantly gamer-y, however:

3) WHICH REMINDS ME:

The piece directly above reminds me of Rene Magritte, one of my favorite artists - a couple of my favorites of his are:

In general something with a paradoxical "twist" like these is very appealing to me/us.  Escher is, of course, a favorite:

As is Maria Remedios Varo:

4) HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF THE DINING ROOM:

The piece is to go on the wall opposite the clock - a long, entirely blank wall with no windows or doors.

I don't know if what I've done is a good thing or a bad thing here in sending all this on, but this is what is in my brain.  I don't know if you'll find it overwhelming or constricting or full of possibility - or great or bizarre or what.  I'm hoping you might be able - in all this - to find a kernel at the heart of it that is what we are trying to get at.  If this is just nuts, feel free to let me know or get me/us to narrow this down or open it up or whatever!  I do realize a lot of what I've sent on contains exceedingly detailed work.  It doesn't have to be detailed at that level.  What I'm trying to send on is more conceptual than stylistic.  Again, the Guru full art lands are as close to perfect as we've found  .  .  .

AND I took more photos of the room after my initial posting - another wall has this mirror - the final images are of the blank wall and our typical gaming mess!