May 2008 Showdown - Light and Dark
Emerald Forest - Carmen Cordelia
Nature has probably been the greatest inspirational influence and energy in this work, not in imagery alone, but in the multitude of facets of living and creating things. People are naturally fascinated with the past, and returning to something, and some of that shines through in "Worlds". I think everyone really wants to visit another world, and I've had the great reward of also creating something that's enjoyed by others. More of my artwork can been seen on my website here.

April 2008 Showdown - Wondrous Life
Do You Want To Play With Me? - By Sybiline
The human being really fascinates me. With my art, I like to give rise to a reflection touching the human feeling. The first thing that I search for while creating an artwork, is the reason of its interest. I like to propagate emotions that will remind us, at least for a moment, the best of ourselves. The beauty of an artwork often resides in sharing. What I have to say, often speaks of you and me. If an artwork touches, it's that the human being recognizes itself. My artworks speak to all those that know how to give and take in turns. View more of my art at my website here.

April 2008 Showdown - Wondrous Life
Inscape - By Tristam Rossin
I've had a passion for art for as long as I can remember mainly because art has been one of the things I have been blessed with that comes naturally. It can still be hard work but I've always had this simple philosophy: "If it's not right...Rub it out and do it again". I was fortunate enough to have a teacher who noticed and encouraged me to do my best and push the boundaries of my imagination. And that is where I rest with my work, not landscapes or portraits, but inscapes - Pictures of the mind and imagination, a place that's original and completely mine.

March 2008 Showdown - Geometric Shapes and Fractals
Dragon Skin - By Edward Kinnally
I've been an art lover for longer than I care to remember and my appreciation continues to grow. I participate in several art guilds, am on the board of one, support my local museum, and love creating unusual and unexpected works of art. I enjoy oil painting and digital art; two mediums that are far apart - but both that bring me pleasure. I have certain preferences in art, but I choose not to limit myself and I enjoy art in a wide variety of forms and mediums. You can see more of my fine art prints on my website. I hope you enjoy my art.

Febraury 2008 Showdown - Transportation
Dreamz - By John E. Adams
I picked up photography again in Nov 2006 after 26 years of only taking some family snapshots and digital photography has been a true revelation to me. Although this adventure has just begun it has me taken to levels I would have never dreamed, opening up a new plateau of discovery where vision and persona can magically transform into a new dimension of time, light and color. This entry was a pure pleasure for me as shooting anything metal is a passion of mine these days! Much of my work is displayed at my website, which you can view here.

January 2008 Showdown - Fiery Red
The Fire Within - By Maria Hathaway
"I am both intrigued and enamored by beauty. I believe it to be, when used correctly and with the right spirit, a tool of profound power. It can stimulate the mind, motivate the soul, soften the heart and inspire selfless actions. Beauty is a unique quality in that it is impossible to define. It is subject to the opinion of the viewer and therefore transient in nature. This however adds to it’s charm because it makes it precious to the beholder who discovers it. This is why I paint. I seek through my art to reflect the beauty that I experience in my life and in so doing create beauty of my own."

December 2007 Showdown - Feeling Blue
Moonlight Over Port of Spain - By Karin Best
I have not been painting all my life. I am completely self taught. It all started when I was living in England. I was having a particularly bad year. My Mother had died and there was other circumstances going on in my life. My daughter tried to get my mind off everything and bought me some paints and canvas. I painted a picture of African Violets and for some strange reason some one bought it. Well I never looked back. I have been painting for the last 15 years and have won many awards, including the New York Times award for "Excellence in Art For Women." I now live in Zephyrhills, Florida.

November 2007 Showdown - Open Theme
Fruit Still Life - By Eric J Chapman
Eric began drawing at the age of two; art proved to be the passion of his life. Since he was never formally trained, he has sought to use the life he sees around him as a gauge for how he renders his work. "Fruit Still Life" was created as the first piece in a series of Still Lifes that he recently completed. "The piece was something that I set up with my wife. She wanted something classical and impressive that matched the living room. Everything flowed pretty well, but the tablecloth pattern is something that took more time and patience than anything else." You can see more online here.

October 2007 Showdown - Architecture of the World
Pattern - By Arup Haldar
Photography is my passion, although I am not a professional photographer. When I was sixteen I started to travel and visit many places in India. I had participated in many trekking programmes in the Himalayas and fell in love with nature and used to take photos of nature. So in 2001, I took photography seriously and spent a lot of time in this field. My favorite subjects are people and places. This year I received the distinction of AFIAP from FIAP. I have also been selected as one of the sixteen winners in a travel photo contest organised by CITY Magazine New York.

September 2007 Showdown - Animal Planet
Portrait Of A Horse - By Andrea Gianchiglia
While growing up Andrea was surrounded by dogs, cats and other small companions who inspired her love for animals. She remembers especially her dog Kane, a rottweiler, whose love for her family was the inspiration that lead her to specialize in animal portraiture. "It’s my way of paying him back for all the joy he brought to my life." Andrea’s representational realistic style allows her to create a true reflection of an animal’s personality. Andrea graduated from the Hartford Art School and currently freelances in NJ while teaching at several art centers and associations. Website

August 2007 Showdown - Faces and Emotions
My Father's Portrait - By Anelia Guteva
I started drawing when I was a year old and ever since making pictures has been at the core of my existence. My strong interest in painting was developed during the past few years. I like to explore the infinite possibilities of this, yet very challenging, medium. Although the human face is not my only source of inspiration, I do find it particularly inspiring, not only in the difficulty of portraying a person’s physical features, but also in capturing the inner soul and character that is beyond the face. I am currently studying visual arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg.

July 2007 Showdown - World of Nature
Swampwater Grotto - By Kate Andersen
I have been creating computer artwork and designs for over 10 years, both professionally and as a hobby. I get most of my inspiration from reading and watching science fiction and also from living where I do – in a world heritage national park near Sydney. The majority of my work is created using Bryce or Mojoworld for the 3D image and then Photoshop for post work. This gives me a great range of styles and scenes to work with. I love to create artwork on the computer that looks either very real, or completely out of this world! I am currently available for freelance work. My Website

June 2007 Showdown - Nude
Becoming One - By Nancy Soulliard
While studying art in college, Nancy found a unique way to show the human form. She began to create abstract artwork from where one sketch began and another ended. This began a long series of abstract figurative work that branched out into other forms besides the human. "Becoming One was created as my wedding portrait. Our wedding was unconventional and so the painting was created showing the entwining of two lives in my own style. This abstract was made to be turned and viewed from many different angles." You can view more of her work at www.nancysoulliard.com.

May 2007 Showdown - Favorite Work
Penny Farthing - By Jeremy Child
Jeremy has been creating art in many forms since an early age and his work is heavily influenced by illustrators Shaun Tann, Lane Smith and Colin Thompson amongst others. Jeremy currently works designing and creating ideas for novelty pre-school childrens books. As well as this full time job he also freelances as an illustrator in his spare time, specialising in childrens educational and editorial work. "I wrote a story about a man who lives in the centre of the earth and had lots of ideas left over so decided to use them in this painting."