A celebration of winter, created in Vue.

This is a Christmas version of Wind in the Pines. It was inspired by a visit to my grandfather's timber farm, which is why the pines are in rows. It's almost like being out in the forest, just a little more orderly!

I did this piece for the E-On Software 3D Environment Competition 2012. It was inspired by a visit to my grandfather's timber farm. I wanted to capture the cool blue mistiness of the woods on a cold morning.

Christmas in the Pines

“We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

“Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

“Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

“Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

“Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Earth to heav'n replies.

“O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.”

A cold and barren landscape doesn't have to be grim. I did a phoenix-like abstract work before, so I thought an ice phoenix would be an interesting variation. Created in Vue, with the streaming effect done in Paint Shop Pro. The texture on the phoenix is from the background of Waltz of the Snowflakes.

A nice snowy design to celebrate winter. The title is from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The background fractal is from Apophysis, jewels rendered in Vue, the rest in Paint Shop Pro.

I originally made this nice chilly abstract to start out 2012.

This is the kind of day to stay inside and drink something hot while you look out the window at the winter landscape. If that sleet and black ice don't make the indoors more inviting, I don't know what does!

This is the third variation of this scene,
Clouds Go Sailing By
Clear Autumn Day