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!