Whenever I talk about computer graphics software, my obvious love of Bryce invariably comes up. Having been hired by MetaCreations to create Bryce imagery for their use (see the Seven Wonders Gallery), one might suspect that my enthusiasm for Bryce was related to being in their employ. It isn't. My enthusiasm for Bryce started on day one of my using it, continued while I worked for MetaCreations, and continues now that I'm once again a freelance artist. Everything I say about Bryce I say from the heart, and will continue to say regardless of where my career goes or what other software I learn to use.

And please do not think anything I say is an opinion of MetaCreations. These opinions are mine alone, so if I say anything you disagree with or are offended by, please blame me alone.

My gallery has been open now for almost 6 months, and it's received almost 17000 visitors. I've gotten hundreds of very generous compliments on my work and on my openness in sharing with others my techniques, files, images, and advice. So it would be easy for me to kick back and bask in the praise, just thinking about my own success. But I'd rather take this time to return the compliments and share the praise. I'd like to believe that the world of Bryce users is truly a community of goodwill and mutual support, where successful artists are those who are most willing to share their success, and the artists most often and highly praised are also the ones most willing and generous in their praise of their peers.

So I thought that the opinions I'd like to share with you this month are my opinions of the many very talented artists I've come to know in the Bryce community, who they are and why I admire them and their work. The order I'm listing them should not be taken as any kind of preference or ranking, because each is unique and thus incomparable. 

Martin Murphy's Bryce snow scenes (including the Bryce 4 signature snow-covered mountain) have constantly enchanted me with the realism he achieves and the artistic compositions he uses. But beyond Bryce, Martin creates stunning graphics with multiple application imagery (Bryce, Poser figures, plus 2D imaging programs) which are truly extraordinary. His "Queen" image in one of the most fascinating human figure graphics I've ever seen, and it intrigued me from it's first overall impression and keeps intriguing me as I inspect details. 

Kano (Jac Grenfell) consistently fascinates me with his intricate sci-fi mechanical objects, such as his "Timekeeper" image. He designs his intricate machinery with absolute believability and meticulous detail. Then he sets his strange devices in totally plausible settings. I never cease to be fascinated by his inventions, or the way he renders them out.

Mark Huelsman first caught my eye with "Secrets", and he has consistently intrigued me since with numerous other works. "Secrets" in particular had a truly ethereal lighting composition that I love.

Tony Seymour does a lot of work with historical settings and architecture which I love. His "Egyptian Barque" first caught my attention, with it's wonderfully detailed sail and ornamentation, but his full portfolio, including his groups of views from a single scene, are a delight.

Necati Pamuk has a very impressive collection of sci-fi imagery that I enjoy seeing, but even when the artist comes down to earth and creates a more subtle landscaped scene, like "Moonlit Peaks", the composition and textural subtleties are wonderful.

Andrew Paul takes the opposite route, doing very simple, almost "everyday" subjects, like "Tea", his exquisite rendering of a cup of tea on a counter. But Andrew does them so well, so meticulously believable, that I can get lost in them, enjoying the subtle details.

Ryan Bliss of Digital Blasphemy has a delightful collection of work, but the one image that sticks in my mind is his cave image (the title of which unfortunately I can't locate now). I did quite a few cave images in my Bryce 2 period, and one is in my Bryce 2 gallery. So I can better appreciate how truly beautiful Ryan's cave image is. I can't imagine anyone doing it better.

Janak Alford's "Cathedral" caught my eye recently and it's a splendid example of atmospheric lighting. It has a powerful visual impact even as a thumbnail, and continues to enchant and satisfy as you inspect the larger version. Janak was also kind enough to make suggestions and corrections to my gallery notes on the Lighthouse of Alexandria, for which I am grateful.

Jean-Pierre Lapointe consistently pleases me with his imagery, but his "Twister" is special to me for the sheer vitality he managed to capture in a still image. He really made me feel the power of the twister's violent winds. 

Glenn Riegel does fascinating architectural imagery, but his "Piazza View 3" took my breathe away. Wonderful design, excellent texturing and detailing, and subtle but excellent lighting are the things I admire about his work.

Lannie Caranci captivated me with her image "Treasures", a delightful underwater scene filled with details and textural subtleties. Her collection of historical and mythological scenes continue to fascinate me as well. 

Jeff Richardson created a marvelous image called "Eco Exhibit" that I loved, and after that introduction to his work, he has consistently impressed me with his technical skill and his creative themes.

On the technical side, Joe Odham has been an extraordinarily generous and helpful friend, in more ways that I could list. You should all be so lucky as to have a friend like him.

Bruce Macleod's "Bryce Forum" is an extraordinary web site and I applaud his efforts to keep it active for all of us to enjoy. It has become my primary site for seeing what the Bryce community is doing and I am delighted to be on his panel of judges this month (July).

Among the MetaCreations gang, I've met a great many wonderful people, and mentioned a few in my Seven Wonders history notes. But one person I haven't mentioned yet, and so I wanted to thank Ales Holecek, Bryce's animation systems software genius, for being more helpful to me than I could even describe, not only with Bryce but with numerous technical matters concerning computers in general. We occasionally have friendly disagreements about Bryce's features, but my admiration for his talent and my appreciation for his friendship never wavers.

Saving the best for last, I wanted to share with you all my respect, admiration, and appreciation for that gem from Louisiana, Cheryl Boswell. As an artist, she enchanted me with her "Crystal Ship". As a Webmaster for my site, she has allowed me to focus on the content while she managed the operation of the Munns Gallery in a masterful way. And as a friend and frequent advisor to me on computer matters, she has been generous to a fault and wonderfully knowledgeable. I have been blessed to know her and have her as my partner in my gallery.