A little insight...

All my life, I've had images in my mind that I couldn't quite get out. They're not just pictures, though. They're fully developed stories with multi-dimensional characters who find themselves in situations that seem insurmountable, and at times overwhelming. But, in their world, no one gives up.  That much, they've taught me.  

Over the years, I had no idea how to convey these stories aside from writing them down, but that didn't make them go away. I still saw these heroes and villains, monsters and men, clamoring for a way out of that secret place in my head. And then one day, I happened to see a YouTube video of Neil Gaimon delivering a commencement speech to the graduating class of the University of the Arts.  "Make great art," he said simply. That struck a chord with me, and I tucked it away for future study.

Somewhere near that time, I began taking greater notice of digital artwork. I found the colors and textures fascinating and felt I had to know more.  I googled things like layers and filters, vectors and masks. I read everything I could possibly find on programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Sketchup, and on and on. Finally, I took the plunge. I enrolled in an online college class and purchased Adobe Creative Suite 5. That's when I began to discover the wonders of Photoshop. 

At some point after that, it occurred to me that even though I'm not a great artist and had never studied any form of art, I could still make great art. Of course, it may not be great to anyone but me, and possibly not even good, but the images in my head were unforgettable and ridiculously persistent in their attempts to escape. (And I had grown desperate to let them.) Even so, it seemed a little crazy and sort of a last-ditch effort, but I could think of no other way to shove these characters out of my head and into the world. 

Mary Morgan's Journal is the result.

To say it's been fun ever since would be an understatement of epic proportions. I am awed daily by the possibilities digital art provides and I'm humbled by the response I've received after having expressed my "great art."

Thanks to all for your support and encouragement.