Beautiful Artwork - winners on first post

[Misty Glen]

For this contest I am looking for beautiful, stunning artwork of your own creation. It can be any subject matter you like, in any medium you like. Prior creations are acceptable, and multiple entries are fine too, so long as you're not ridiculous about it. This is your chance to showcase your most exceptional pieces, the ones that really demonstrate the best of your abilities.

You could submit images of animals or people, portraits or landscapes, digital creations or paintings, sculptures or murals, essentially anything you like, in any genre you like. To win this contest, you simply must submit the most stunning, talented work.

In theory I will accept photo-manipulations, but in practice since it is skill that will get you a placing they will need to be pretty spectacular to give you a chance. I'm still not sure whether I'll accept photography or film at this stage. If in doubt enter it anyway and I'll see.

What I will not accept:
- Work that is not your own (obviously). Joint efforts are fine so long as you have the other artist(s)' permission and they are ok with you getting the full value of the prize (unless they play SBF, in which case the prize will be split between you).
- Work that is replicating another artist's work, eg: your own rendition of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. This is simply because I won't be able to tell the difference between your work and theirs, so could lead to people submitting the original and claiming it as their own. If yours is significantly different to the original I may accept it. If in doubt post your work and the original and I'll let you know if it's ok. Replicating another artist's style is fine.
- Work that is simply inappropriate to be publicly displayed on a site like SBF, eg: those that contain blatant nudity, even if it's tasteful, anything overly violent or gory, or anything that could be seriously offensive. If in doubt, message me the image and I'll let you know if it's ok.
- Work that I have already bought from you, or that you have already entered in one of my past art contests. I'm sorry, I know it's gorgeous, but I just want to see something I haven't already seen. Work you've made for someone else and have displayed on SBF or its forums is fine though. Sorry if this seems a bit picky.

When submitting your work try to include as much background information as possible. This can include:
- Dimensions of the original piece (especially in the case of photos/scans of artwork).
- Medium used, relevant programs or equipment used, plus any interesting information about how it was made.
- Title, if any.
- Purpose or story behind the piece, if any.
- Description of subject matter, if necessary.
- Inspiration for the work, if any.
- Dedication, if any.
- Trials and tribulations, if you care to share them.
- Anything else of interest.
Including more or less of this sort of information won't change your chances at placing, but I like to hear the thoughts, details or stories behind your pieces. You can write as much or as little as you like. Eloquence isn't a big deal so long as you can get your point across.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to post here or message me.

Prizes
1st place will receive 250mill
2nd place will receive 150mill
Additional cash prizes will be offered for any other stunning pieces that didn't manage to place. I'm willing to spend up to a total of $1 billion on prizes, depending on how many quality entries I receive. If I get any tokens in the near future they'll be included in the prizes for the first few places.
5mill will be awarded to all entries that make it on to the short list.
Note: The values stated in the prizes above may change in the course of this contest, but they will NOT decrease.
If I find I'm unable to choose the winner I'll put it to the vote of the SBF community.

Winners
1st place: MuteAppeal with Prince
2nd place: Queso with Cherry Red
3rd place: Rusty with Peter Stone Ideal Stock Horse
4th place: NeverwinterCC with Untitled
5th place: NeverwinterCC with Untitled
Other short-listed entries:
NeverwinterCC with Untitled
NeverwinterCC with Bite yer head!
NeverwinterCC with Little brother

[Sverige]

WHat thym is it?

[Queso]

Very fun idea for a contest, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone elses work!
For my first entry I decided to share a sculpture peice, since you guys usually only get to see my digital work. It's a plaster based sulpture/cast of my hands painted with acrylics. It's called Guidance.


A lot of the detail got lost in the photos unfortunatly. My camera isn't very good, sorry.

Some of the thoughts behind the design: The black hand is painted to look like the night sky and represents me and my journey thorough life. It's holding a reign because my life seems to revolve around horses, they help carry me through my life's story, always influencing me in some way, even if I'm not physicly around them. The hand that is painted like a sunset represents the force (to me it's God, but it can mean different things to differrent people) thats guiding me through my life. The symbolism goes even deeper, but I think I'll let you ponder it on your own.

I'll try and submit a digital pic too I think.

[Misty Glen]

Wow, that's fascinating Queso. I look forward to seeing your digital entry(s) as well.

[keema]

Bravo for the idea Misty!
Well since I just finished this one last weekend I'll toss it in here.

Baby Nathan
-Charcoal on Paper
-Approximately 25"x20"
-This is a portrait I did of my friends baby. Nathan, there first child, is being held aloft by his fathers hands. (Yes, they asked for something Anne Geddes-esc theme) (and yes his fathers arms are really that hairy)

http://ginsurfudae.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Nathan-110593684

Notes: Sadly details always seemed lost when photographed and resized...

[Misty Glen]

That's nice keema! Charcoal is a gorgeous medium.

[Misty Glen]

[linksage]

-8.5"x11"
-Prisma Colored Pencils
-Midnight
-Was made for a college project ^_^" Had to draw the same object 50 times to force us into doing different things with it. My object was wolf...and you get a cookie if you see the shameless fan reference in there.

http://linksage.deviantart.com/art/THIRTY-THREE-Midnight-105348839

[insert original second entry here]
Ack! I changed my mind -hides still life under the bed- I don't want to get carried away with the entries... There's just so much emotion in this one I had to enter it.
-8.5"x11"
-Charcoal and Graphite
-Man's Best Friend
-It's another one from the project that spawned midnight up there. -points up- I know the wolf's muzzle isn't quite right, nor are its legs, but the raw emotion in this makes it one of my favorite pieces of that project, and in general.

http://linksage.deviantart.com/art/TWO-Man-s-Best-Friend-100955544

[Misty Glen]

They're beautiful, link. I love them.

[Misty Glen]

[koneko]

i have a paper mache wolf im going to enter

[koneko]

- Medium used, relevant programs or equipment used, plus any
interesting information about how it was made.: flour, cardboard, glue, paper
- Title, if any. The Mexican Grey Wolf
- Purpose or story behind the piece, if any. For a report
- Description of subject matter, if necessary.
- Inspiration for the work, if any. Wolves
- Dedication, if any. none
- Trials and tribulations, if you care to share them.
- Anything else of interest. I dont have the picture yet

[Queso]

Can I enter a pic that I'm also entering in another contest? I'll ask the other contest-holder if its ok of course.

[Misty Glen]

[Queso]

Ok, I should have something in about a week then