Challenge 64: O Muses, O high genius, aid me now!

[galathea]

O Muses, O high genius, aid me now!
O memory that engraved the things I saw,
Here shall your worth be manifest to all!
Dante Alighieri, The Inferno

* * *

I bet most of us fanartists say it at least once or twice a week if not more often: “My muse has abandoned me” or “I am totally uninspired, my muse is a total bitch at the moment”. Our shows give us the ideas, but we refer to the muses as the inspiration that allows us to give those ideas a shape in the form of art. So, who are these elusive creatures, that are the bane of the fanartist’s existence? Time to find out! ;)

Behind the spoiler tag you find a list of the nine greek muses and their area of expertise. I want you to create a fanart with a theme that fits to one of the muse’s fields of patronage. That’s not all though: Each muse is usually associated with a token, a symbolic object that represents her. These tokens are called emblems. To honor the muse that inspired your specific fanart for this challenge, I want you to work her emblem into your art. It can either be an integral part of the story you want to tell in your piece, but it can also be worked into the background or function as a simple text adornment.

For example: One of Erato’s tokens (the muse for love and erotic poetry ) is an arrow. Now, you can either show a stock picture of an arrow as a metaphor in your art or it can be a simple arrow brush that decorates the text or an arrow doodle that is somewhere in the background. Feel free to be creative here, but it gives extra bonus points if you use the emblem as an integral, symbolic part of the art.

Choose your patron:
http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/calliope.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/clio.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/erato.jpg
From left to right: Calliope: She is the muse for epic poetry, such as the Illiad or the Odyssee. For our purposes you can use her for anything that has an epic dimension to it: arcs, sacrificial deaths, prophecies and such, you can be creative here.
Her emblems are: a roll of paper, a book or a golden crown.

Clio: She’s the muse of history. Of course you can depict a historical event in your art, if the show/movie/book you choose deals with that, for other purposes just use her if you show a flashback scene or something that deals with the personal history of a character.
Clio’s emblems are: a parchment scroll or a set of tablets.

Erato: Erato is the muse of love and erotic poetry. I guess this one is pretty straightforward, just use her with arts that deal with love and relationships.
Her emblems are: a wreath of roses, a lyre or an arrow.

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/euterpe.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/melpomene.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/polyhymnia.jpg
From left to right:
Euterpe: She is the muse of music. For this challenge you can use her patronage with every scene that would have music as an essential part of it. For example a party or a visit at a concert or going to a club or if it deals with a song part of a musical, people singing or listening to music, but also celebrity art about a musician/band fits here.
Euterpe’s emblem is a flute.

Melpomene: Melpomene is the muse of tragedy. A lot of Calliope’s themes fit here as well, so choose what you think is more appropriate or what you feel easier to work with as emblem.
Melpomene’s emblems are: a tragic mask or a knife or club.

Polyhymnia: This is the muse of sacred hymns but also of agriculture and pantomime. Choose her patronage if you work with themes of faith/religion or theatre or for celebrity arts about actors/actresses.
Her emblems are: a cloak and a veil and she is usually depicted with a pensive expression. I figure that this can be pretty hard, so you can also choose other symbols for theatre/acting (e.g. masks) or religious themes (e.g. crosses) here.

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/terpsichore.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/thalia.jpg http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/urania.jpg
From left to right: Terpsichore: She is the muse of dance. Similar to the muse of music, you can just choose anything for this category that deals with people dancing.
Terpsichore’s emblem is a lyre.

Thalia: Thalia is the muse of comedy. Again, this is pretty self-explanatory I guess, anything funny goes.
Her emblems are: a comic mask, a shepherd’s staff or a wreath of ivy.

Urania: Urania is the muse of astronomy and astrology. This would pretty well fit with scifi themes/shows, but also anything esoteric is allowed here, as well as prophecies, fate and destiny themes.
Her emblems are: a globe or a turtle.
Important: I won’t be very strict with the emblems, in the sense that I really don’t expect you to exactly find a wreath of roses or a shepherd’s staff, any wreath or staff would do. If you can’t find something in particular you may substitute it with something similar, like, use a harp instead of a lyre or heck, declare a guitar the modern version of a lyre, be creative here. If you have any questions about how exactly to categorize your piece or if you are unsure if you can substitute an emblem, just PM me or ask me in this thread.

Fandoms: Any, use shows, movies, books, comics. Whatever you like. I’d only like an explanation to your piece and how it fits the category.
Number of Entries: I don’t think restriction of entries is an issue here LOL, if you enter more than one piece, you can’t use the same muse twice though
Sizes: Any of the usual wallpaper sizes will do, wallscrolls are allowed as well
Deadline: April 13th

May the muses be with you! ;)

[Josh Grey]

For my first entry- Calliope, god of epic Poetry

I chose her in order to show the sacrafice Willow made in the first episode of season 6, when she killed the deer she actually sacrificed him to bring Buffy back.

I hope it fits.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8894/indeathyougivelifebs1.jpg

You can see the paper roll is underneath the text. When I thought about the idea at first, for some reason I thought the patron was a knife, which would have been alot cooler then a paper roll.

Resources:
Caps: http://www.screencap-paradise.com/
Textures: http://www.primordialsouls.com/ , http://www.left-unspoken.net/radiance/ , http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/ .
Gradients: http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/, My own.


Amazing challenge,

Josh.

[galathea]

You can see the paper roll is underneath the text. When I thought about the idea at first, for some reason I thought the patron was a knife, which would have been alot cooler then a paper roll. You could've used Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, who has the knife as her emblem. Most of Calliope's themes fit for Melpomene as well. You can easily describe Willow's sacrifice as tragic, so it would've fitted as well. ;)

[Josh Grey]

You could've used Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, who has the knife as her emblem. Most of Calliope's themes fit for Melpomene as well. You can easily describe Willow's sacrifice as tragic, so it would've fitted as well. ;)

I thought of that, but I didn't see how it was tragic... Maybe next entry :)

[wenj]

Okay, so here it goes. When I read about the muses, especially Thalia, I was hit with the inpsiration to art this scene from Doctor Who's 'Utopia'. This line was just perfectly delivered and me, being the easily amused person that I am, could not stop laughing. The scincerity with which he said this line just made it all the more humorous and therefore was the first thing to pop into my mind. Though I was unable to find an Ivy wreath, I sort of improvised by using a PS Special Effects brush and made a wreath surrounding the Doctor. Hope that works!

Brilliant

http://blacklagoon.ohstatic.net/temp/brilliantthumb.jpg
1280x768 (http://blacklagoon.ohstatic.net/art/doctorwho/brilliant.jpg)

Credits:
Textures: Immortal Kiss, Ugly Business
Stocks: Stock XChnge
Gradients: Daydreaming, Mine
Brushes: Ugly Business, PS Special Effects, More Adventurous
Caps: Time and Space
Muse: Thalia

[Josh Grey]

My seconed entry is about Clio- The muse of history.]

I made this piece in order to show a really important fact about Veronica Mars's life. When Veronica went to Shelly Pomroy's end of the year party, she had no Idea she was going to get druged, and then raped.

I hope I got it good :)

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9572/vmthatgirlnm8.jpg

The parchment scroll is under the text, yet again.

Resources used in this wallpaper:

Caps: http://vm-caps.com
Textures: http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/
Gradients: http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/, http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/


Josh.

[sandpaperback]

I think mine fits under Urania. It is about the The Father Will Kill the Son prophecy.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/sandpaperback_album/prophecy.jpg

screencaps: screencap paradise
stocks: stock.xchng

[Bre]

Brilliant challenge idea!

Entry One: Almost Got You Killed
Muse: Clio

http://www.primordialsouls.com/art/supernatural/episodes/somethingwicked_almostgotyoukilled_mini.jpg
1280 (http://www.primordialsouls.com/art/supernatural/episodes/somethingwicked_almostgotyoukilled.jpg)

For my first entry, I chose Clio, the muse of history. I've been rewatching the first season of Supernatural on and off and I watched 'Something Wicked' last night, which is a fabulous look into Dean's character, and how the events that took place so long ago shaped him into the person he is, most notably in connection with Sam, and how protective and self-sacrificing he is towards and for him. I also wanted to get John in there, because he is such an important figure in Dean's life [in the first season], especially concerning Dean's shoot first, ask questions later look on life when it comes to the 'orders' from John. This entry is more about the guilt that Dean feels after letting Sam get attacked when they were young, John's reaction, and Dean's [present] attitude.

I added in a parchment scroll (at least what I could find that I liked - :p ) behind the text. :D

Textures: Radiance, Salt'n Burn
Gradients: Mine
Images: Striped Wall, stock.xchnge
Text: Episode

[Nikki]

Great challenge honey :heart:

Entry 1: Melpomene
I always wanted to art this scene, stripping away everything to really show the tragedy of this and how it changes their lives in that one moment.

Absolute
http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/art/supernatural/absolutethumb.jpg
800 (http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/art/supernatural/absolute800.jpg) || 1024 (http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/art/supernatural/absolute.jpg)

Caps: SP || Gradients: Mine || Stocks: Stock Xchng & Google || Quote: George Elliott

[Jenni Lou]

Lost is to me what Supernatural is to you. ;) So I decided to do a Lost piece inspired by the muse, Urania. Much of Lost deals with themes and motifs of destiny and fate as well the supernatural properties of the island, a place that is hidden from the real world and is sort of its own little world. I embedded some globes as my emblem into the piece and chose pictures from all of the 14 major characters from the second part of the pilot, pictures that I personally find to be very emotive. Lastly, I chose this sort of puzzle look to it to signify the confusion and mystery of the series. I know it's not a puzzle, per se, but the disjointed look was what I was going for. I like the challenge idea and I spent a ridiculous amount of time on this so I hope it fits in well enough with what you were looking for!


http://fractured-simplicity.net/daydreaming/fanart/albums/lost/ep/1/normal_wherearewe.jpg (http://fractured-simplicity.net/daydreaming/fanart/displayimage.php?pos=-1942)

Credits: me, lost-media.com, sxc.hu

[aldieb]

Nice challenge!

Entry One: Zombie
And my Twilight-obsession continues ^^...
Muse: Erato (and I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a wreath of roses, but some kind of wreath, but maybe not a whole, depending on the translation :xd)

From New Moon

Erato was the muse for relationships, and this is about Edward/Bella, even though I've tried to display the part when he is gone. When Edward leaves, Bella besomes a bit apathetic, and kind of like a zombie(...!). She gets damaged and start hearing his voice in her head. I wanted with this lyric to emphasise her loss when he's gone (I think... :p)!


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j204/von_estrella/art/small/zombie1b.jpg
1024 (http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j204/von_estrella/art/zombie1b.jpg)
Resources
Pictures: kresources.org, pattinson online
Brushes/textures/gradients: More Adventurous, Imagine, Hapix, April Sky, Obsession of The Moment, Black Lagoon
Lyrics: Zombie - The Cranberries

[SaltyGoodness]

Indeed a cool idea for a challenge! Since it's Easter, and I've managed to get some time for me, I thought I'd do some fanart! Be gentle with me...first art in a while :)

In Another World - Muse: Urania
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/odelias/BtVS%20and%20AtS%20Art/Walls/Thumbs/AnotherWorldThumb.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/odelias/BtVS%20and%20AtS%20Art/Walls/AnotherWorld.jpg

Can't get more esoteric than alternate universes, I reckon, so I decided to do a piece from 'The Wish'. The lyrics from a Brian May song - 'In Another World' capture that sense of almost de ja vu - that feeling that something has gone wrong that shouldn't have...that your destiny has been changed. you will see I've used a globe as a stock image, the idea of the world spinning rapidly to imply the confusion/inaccuracy of parallel universes.

Credits:
Caps - Screencap Paradise/own
Gradients - own/standard PS
Stock - StockXchg
Lyrics - from Brian May's 'In Another World'

[Josh Grey]

For my third entry - Thalia, the muse of comedy

I thought, and thought, and thought... what scene from what show would I find amusing enough to do art for? Well, I always found Keith and Verionica's scenes to be amusing enough.

And this time... HOT DOG! every time I watch the first episode of season 3, I just start to laugh. That scene is so funny and fits the category, in my opinion.

HOT DOG!

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/102/hotdog1280lf3.jpg

Resources used in this wallpaper:
Caps: http://vm-caps.com
Textures: http://www.left-unspoken.net/radiance/ , http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/ and http://adventurous.harbourlights.org/.
Gradients: http://moments.misplaced.co.uk/.

EDIT: Version #2
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/619/hotdog12802to5.jpg

Has crazy colors, which fits the scene better.


Again, awesome challenge.

Josh Grey.

[slaygal]

Muse: Clio of history

Entry: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v710/deedeebobo/wallpaper306.jpg

This just explores one significant bit of Angel's history that comes back to revisit him. Sometimes we need reminders of our actions in our past - in order to understand the actions of our present and future. Otherwise we can never really change.

[ladyvisionary]

I used Clio, the muse of history for my first entry.

My 1st piece is based on Firefly and Mal's character - or, to be more exact, the impact the battle of Serenity Valley has had, and still has, on him.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/visionaryweb/Wallpapers-FireflySerenity/battleofserenity2.jpg

Screencaps: Still Flying (grr-argh.net/serenity)
Textures: Misplaced moments
Scroll stock: My own
Lyrics: Ballad of Serenity / Joss Whedon

___

Muse: Erato, for love and relationships

For my second entry, I chose to do a scene based on BTVS "the prom" where Angel breaks up with Buffy. (I hope the end of a relationship is allowed when using this muse, and that it doesn't have to be "happy moments" of love and relationships shown). The arrow can be seen in a heart by the text (quotes from the episode) in the bottom-right of the picture. If the screen you're using to view the piece is dark though, it might be hard to make out.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/visionaryweb/Wallpapers-BTVS/tobewithyou2.jpg

Screencaps: Screencap paradise
Textures: Misplaced moments

[alexa]

Found the best muse for this Bander piece I think, Erato. Originally wasn't sure if it fitted in, but seems like it does.
At this point in BtVS Xander is still in love with Buffy, but she doesn't feel the same. But when he does a love spell accidentally on purpose, Buffy falls for him. This is one of the few early times when I loved the idea of them hooking up, it's a little sad that she's not really feeling it.


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/kangarulz/bewitched4.jpg (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/kangarulz/bewitched3.jpg)

[Pandora's_Box]

First Entry: Calliope (Prophecies)

Prophecy of The Flames
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/prophecy.jpg
xxx (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/ProphecyofTheFlames.jpg)

I did my art about the First Slayer's prophecy, I used some flames stock to emphasize the idea and hid the First Slayer into it to give her the mistery she has in that scene.

Ressources: DeviantArt
Caps: Screencap Paradise

[debbiefm]

What an awesome challenge:2party: Two entries from me just now....hopefully more on the way.

FIRST ENTRY - Clio muse

This is about Drusilla and it's a flashback to before Angel drove her insane and made her a vampire. It was nice to see her as someone who wanted to be good and was troubled by the visions she was getting, instead of the mad as a hatter vamp we all know and love. Hopefully the emblem thingy is right....I'll blame sxc.hu if it isn't:D I also put a wee pic of the Virgin Mary on it cause i thought it kinda fitted with the cap of her praying beside it...not that you can see it..but it's there.

Devil Child
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4222/devilchildoh5.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=devilchildoh5.jpg)
Credits
Images: screencap paradise
Stocks: sxc.hu
Gradients: misplaced
Words: From episode "Becoming Part 1"


ENTRY TWO - Melpomene muse

I have just started watching Supernatural (I know, where have I been:D) but I really fancied it after seeing the amazing art on here. I've only watched the first four so everything has still to be revealed to me. I decided on doing the scene where Jess dies....it's tragic as Sam appeared to really care for her and she died the same way as his Mom.

She's Gone
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5894/shesgoneay3.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shesgoneay3.jpg)
Credits
Images: screencap paradise
Gradients: blacklagoon
Textures: colorblinded

[Nikole]

FIRST ENTRY - ERATO

I made a Battlestar Galactica piece. Kara and Lee are having a conversation about him being there to talk if she needs to (she's just been through a traumatic experience) this scene and he kind of secretly and quickly slips in the phrase "I love you" but she catches it and smiles. It's pretty adorable. The lyrics refer to Kara in general. She's kind of a screwup but he still loves her. And I used a rose wreath as a texture. Does this count? It's most visible on the left side.

To Be Loved (http://harsh-light.org/wallpapers/tvshows/bsg/karalee8bte.jpg)

caps: daydreaming
textures: innamoramento
lyrics: 'you don't have to be perfect to be loved' by summer at shatter creek

[elfTLG]

First Entry: A Tragedy

Apparently, Melpomene has inspired me to do a Pirates of the Caribbean fanart.
Beware of spoilers for Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/elfTLG/th-heart.jpg (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/elfTLG/heart.jpg)

This is the scene in which Will Turner dies and as he is dying Jack Sparrow makes him cut Davy Jones' heart, thus killing Davy Jones and binding Will to the ship as the ship's captain. It has all the tragic elements in it: death, sacrifice, even betrayal...

As there already is a knife involved, I didn't put an extra stock as the Muse's emblem. I put a color emphasis on it and repeated it at the bottom left.

The main cap is from http://screenmusings.org/AtWorldsEnd/index.htm
There is an extra cap that I used as background from http://www.homeofthenutty.com/movies/screencaps/thumbnails.php?album=20&page=12
The texture is from misplaced.
The quote is from the poem "Out, Out—" by Robert Frost.

[amy1234]

First Entry History
Forever
http://sweetescape.misplaced.co.uk/moonlight/forever.gif (http://sweetescape.misplaced.co.uk/moonlight/wallpapers/Forever.jpg)

Love this challenge and hopefully Ill enter more, this is in a flashback from micks early vampire life. I used tablets as one of the emblems and they are falling in the text, their red and white if you can spot them ;):D

Credits
moonlightlove, left-unspoken, misplaced and moonlight detective

[Pandora's_Box]

Second Entry
Muse Urania

Dark Side of The Moon
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/darkside.jpg
xxx (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f93/panbox002/panbox_buffywall_01/DarkSideOfTheMoon.jpg)

This is from "Bargaining, Part I", Willow raising Buffy frm the dead. In fact, I was just dying to use a cap of Buffy corpse, I left a lot of black to fit the scene and use a moon stock to give it a magic-mystery way, hence the title, I used Evanescence song "Bring Me To Life" because...That I don't need to explain I think.

Ressources: Daydreaming, DeviantArt
Caps: Screencap Paradise
Lyrics: Evanescence / Bring Me To Life

[Jenni Lou]

Yay! I made a second entry. :) I am super-psyched that the season four premiere of Battlestar Galactica is on in, oh, under 24 hours! /fangirl squee So I made an entry for that series. This entry uses the muse Erato. Incidentally, in this scene an arrow is actually a key element. Starbuck (the woman ;)) had returned the planet Caprica to retrieve the Arrow of Apollo. And when she returned she came across of a group of Resistance fighters who were stranded on the planet. See, all the humans are on the run in space as they try to evade the Cylon enemy and they are searching for Earth. The Arrow of Apollo is a key element in that search. And so in this scene, Starbuck is about to leave Caprica and Anders (the man) behind. She and Anders have developed a relationship in the short time they have known each other and eventually it will develop into something even more. Anders insists that she leave and bring the arrow back to the Galactica. And she, in turn, promises to come back for him and the rest of the people stranded on the planet.

Whew. I guess you kind of have to have the exposition to understand. :p

So, I think that pretty much explains the how of Erato's relevance. Now onto a (hopefully) brief explanation of the art itself. This took a lot longer than it probably looks. It started off as something completely different but I couldn't get happy with what was happening so I just started all over. This is my second black & white piece ever. I don't like to use it much because I just find it difficult for some inexplicable reason. But I wanted to here. I think there is a simplicity and crispness that b&w can provide and the absence of color seemed significant to the content of this art. So I went with it. Furthermore, b&w can imply a old movie kind of feel, so I expanded that idea by incorporating these strips.

http://fractured-simplicity.net/daydreaming/fanart/albums/bsg/karasam/normal_thefarm.jpg (http://fractured-simplicity.net/daydreaming/fanart/displayimage.php?pos=-1960)

credits: just me this time. except for a google search for the small arrow by the text.

[elfTLG]

Second Entry: A Bit of Dancing

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/elfTLG/th-lyre.jpg (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/elfTLG/lyre.jpg)

A dancing scene inspired by Terpsichore. This is from the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice,which happens to be my favourite book. I like this better than the 2005 movie version. Anyway, I know my fanart has a dreamy quality to it, and I'm afraid the stars and the swirl may have made it a bit... tacky. However, everything is not roses with Darcy and Lizzy Bennet here. While the couple in question are dancing very elegantly and harmoniously, they are in fact sharpening their wits against each other, in other words arguing, very politely of course. :)

The caps are from http://austen.desert-sky.net/p&p.htm
The texture is from misplaced.
The wallpaper pattern in the background is from http://www.hamiltonweston.com/wallpapers.php
The lyre in the top left corner I googled. ( http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/1500/1593/lyre_2.htm )

[Bre]

Entry Two: It's Not My Life
Muse: Erato

Warning! Spoilers for Season Three Supernatural (03.02):

http://www.primordialsouls.com/art/supernatural/episodes/tkaa_itsnotmylife_mini.jpg
1280 (http://www.primordialsouls.com/art/supernatural/episodes/tkaa_itsnotmylife.jpg)

For this entry, I focused more on the relationship part of Erato, as opposed to the love, although that does come up in my wallpaper. I wanted to show Dean's longing for what Lisa has and what he could have had had the situation been different for him (i.e. Ben actually being his kid, Dean's soul not getting sold to a silly demon, etc), as well as the current relationship he forged with Ben and the somewhat rekindling he had with Lisa. Overall, I think there was definitely a relationship between Dean and Ben, as well as Dean and Lisa (obviously from the past, but also in the present when Lisa sees Dean's affection for Ben) and I wanted to show his longing and desire for that kind of life - seeing as to where he's headed in just a short year - so I used a large cap of Lisa and added in a couple of Ben images, mostly with Dean, to show the possibility of what could have been, or... you know what I mean. :p I tried to do a few different things with the lighting as well, to show that difference, because I didn't want to do two obvious color changes, so I hope that was communicated, although looking back, I think a large cap of Ben would have been nicer with Lisa but...

I added in a stock of an arrow behind the text in the lower right corner. :D

Texture: Misplaced, Shattered, Radiance, Salt'n Burn
Gradients: Mine
Images: Marishna, Striped Wall, SXC
Text: Episode

[debbiefm]

Third Entry from me. Seeing as there was a couple of muses to do with prophecies, I just had to do one from Prophecy Girl.....I know it's a no brainer, nil points to me for not thinking up something complex and interesting:D This focuses on the scene where she finds out about the Prophecy. There was a cap in there with Giles pouring over his books but I put a couple more just cause I could:p

ENTRY THREE - Calliope Muse

She Will Die
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8508/shewilldieqf9.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shewilldieqf9.jpg)
Credits
Images: screencap paradise
Gradients: blacklagoon
Stocks: sxc.hu
Words: From the episode "Prophecy Girl"

[ladyvisionary]

Third entry: Bless me father
Muse: Polyhymnia, for faith and religion.

I did this piece of Drusilla, during confession (unknowingly to Angelus), where she reveals how frightened she is of offending God because of her sight, but she tries so hard to be pure, and comes for advice on how to make the Lord forgive her.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/visionaryweb/Wallpapers-BTVS/Blessmefather.jpg

Screencaps: Screencap Paradise
Textures: Misplaced moments
Brushes: Until My dying Day, Falling Night
The emblems: Well, Drusilla is wearing a veil. ;) And I also inserted a cross beneath the text in the picture.

[Smth_Blue]

First entry: Discover the world
Muse: Clio, the personal history of a character
Fandom: Friday Night Lights

Ok, i hope it fits :) This wallpaper is about me discovering American small town life, i actually even asked Jenni Lou and Risa if series events can be considered close to the real life; me discovering the character of Tim Riggins who actually grew on me with time and who turned to be not just a spoiled pretty drunk but a person with a big heart; and my hope for this boy to actually discover the world inside himself and will move forward. I've used strawberry for his love life (not sure if this reference is clear in English), nuts for him being crazy sometimes, corn for discovered America.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/smthblue/420discover.jpg

[Andrew]

Entry One: Across The Universe (Erato) (http://wm.taste-of-honey.net/images/acrosstheuniverse.jpg)

This entry's based on the movie 'Across the Universe'. It's a musical that uses The Beatles for their songs and it's a pretty awesome movie with great actors and beautiful design. The focus of my piece is the Jude/Lucy relationship which is the focus of the film as well. This was going to be a music entry but I decided on using love instead with a lyre representing both the muse and the music. I placed the lyre image in the bottom right corner and one around the couple. I love how it snakes around them into a love heart shape, it's my favourite part of the wallpaper. :D I used the lyrics 'Nothing's gonna change my world' ironically, showing the effect they had on each others lives.

Credits:
Images (http://4-free-wallpapers.net/Movie/a/Across_the_Universe/)
Daydreaming for brushes/textures
Zugma for brushes
Google for the lyre
'Across the Universe' by The Beatles for lyrics.

Entry Two: Tragedy (Melpomene) (http://wm.taste-of-honey.net/images/tragedy.jpg)

I really focused on the composition of this piece. Trying to communicate the flow of the scene without any words was challenging but fun. Keeping the piece simple, without any textures or text, was important to me in communicating the tragedy of the whole scenario.

Credits:
Screencap Paradise for caps
Googled the tragedy mask.

[Ehlwyen]

Entry 1: Cold State Line (Polyhymnia)
http://quicksand.ohstatic.net/thumb/coldstatelinetiny.jpg
1024 (http://quicksand.ohstatic.net/fanart/coldstateline.jpg)
stocks: www.sxc.hu;
texture: peoplemachines
Lyrics: Avenged Sevenfold

I hope this fits the emblem requirements. I obviously tacked in some extra crosses to supplement the quiet power lines that rise like crosses and the fact the Winchesters are at a railroad crossing. There are also a number of lines that don't cross because they are broken or run parallel to each other in an effort to represent the Winchesters disjointed relationship.

Ultimately, the whole piece is about being at a crossroads. Sam trying to hold onto his little piece of life with Dean in it. While Dean is already moved outside of his life and is just waiting to move outside the boundaries of the mortal realm.

I love this song and couldn't wait to use it once I heard the lyrics. You had seen an earlier version where I was trying to force another set of lyrics on the scene and the meaning made little sense. I wanted to show Sam's hope yet struggle to hold on, while Dean has found himself at peace. I found that and more in these lyrics.

I really wanted to portray this as the ballad of the winchesters. always on the road, crossing territorial lines as well as metaphysical lines (ie killing). I wanted the song lines to represent their course/fate in life. Sam clings tightly to his provided lines. While Dean has completely sidestepped his path and continues an unknown course until the end finds him. But until that time he'll make peace with himself and pray for his brother's safety.

Depending on when this closes, I may have another entry finished.

[Smth_Blue]

Second entry: Tim + Lyla
Muse: Erato
Fandom: Friday Night Lights
Pretty straight forward - boy loves girl :)
Hope there is enough roses here %)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/smthblue/423love.jpg

[Signe]

Mon entry
Hope I'm not too late, here at least it's still the 13th ;)

The thoughts etc... (Twilight book one stuff - nothing spoilery really)
So, I chose Erato: the muse of love and erotic poetry. When I think of Greek love/erotic poetry I instantly think of Sappho - which is why I used one of my favourite poems by her as the text in the piece. It's a Twilight piece (I'm just as obsessed as the next person and since I do very little art I can't seem to do anything but T. when I get the chance...). The feelings described in the poem is pretty much what any girl (or boy I guess - wouldn't know much about that though...) feels when looking upon a person they love/desire. Weakness in their knees, loss of speech (or at least loss of consonants ;)), sweatiness etc. And Bella does have the hots for Edward, bad... She looses her train of thoughts many times in his presence so to say ;) I wanted the arrows (representing Erato) to mean something. Which is why I put one arrow from Bella to Edward and vice versa. This is to show that their love is reciprocal (always looking for an excuse to use that word) and that they are connected. However, Bella's the fainter and Edward the one who laughs at her.

The whole Sappho poem is found here (http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/sappho/sappho0.htm#2) and if anyone's interested, another version here (http://www.poetry-archive.com/s/ode_to_a_loved_one.html) (if you are to truly understand a poem written in a language you can't read you should read many translations - in my oppinion).

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/wallpapers/th_sappho.jpg (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/wallpapers/sappho.jpg)
Resources:
Images - kris-stewart.org, robert-pattinson.co.uk
Brushes - Aldieb, Daydreaming, Echoica, Phantasm, The Magic Box
Textures - Aprilsky, Radiance, of the sky
Gradients - mine

Edit: Adding a different coloured version.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/wallpapers/th_sappho2.jpg (http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Pigneso/wallpapers/sappho2.jpg)
Resources:
Same resources

[galathea]

Hope I'm not too late, here at least it's still the 13th ;) No, it's not too late! :)

I close this challenge tomorrow morning (my time, GMT +1), until then it should be the 14th in all timezones. So, you all still have a couple of hours to get some last minute entries in! :)

[Ehlwyen]

Entry 2: Turn to Red (Melpomene)

Supernatural Season 3
Entry 2: Turn to Red
http://quicksand.ohstatic.net/thumb/turntoredtiny.jpg
1024 (http://quicksand.ohstatic.net/fanart/turntored.jpg)

Caps: Screencap paradise and sky_angel22
Lyrics: Atreyu - Untitled Finale

Explanation:
To me, the Dean v. Dean showdown was about two different versions of Dean rather than Dean versus his inner fears. I chose to show that by having each (denial and mad at John and fatalistic Dean) portrayed as a fractured mask, while the real Dean faces away so we can't see his true self.

However as long as these two masks (as well as others) are fighting within him the real Dean is condemned to destruction. Unfortunately the masks can neither be killed force (shotgun) nor hid in the subconsious (snapping). They are parts of Dean regardless. Dean will have to turn and face these sides and come to acceptance with each side and himself.

[galathea]

This challenge is now closed for entries!

Thanks so much all for the fantastic entries! :heart: I'll have a hard time judging this! :D I hope I'll get the awards out some time this week!

[galathea]

So, I love challenges, but I hate to judge them! :lol: I enjoyed every entry and I wished I could give an award to everyone ... but ... wait, I can! :D A little thank you for everyone who participated in my challenge:

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/participate.jpg

Now onto the awards … for the places 1-3 I used the muse the piece was associated with. Sorry for the different quality of the awards, some of the images were pretty low quality and difficult to work with. I still hope you’re all happy with them! :)

Concept&Composition

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/conceptslaygal.jpg

What I love about this piece is how you depicted Angel’s history with Lawson as pages ripped out of a book. That’s a really original way to work with Clio’s emblem. The whole piece feels disrupted and gritty and that’s fitting for the whole Angel-Lawson relationship. I also like how you laid out the quote throughout the piece. :)

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/compdebbie.jpg

She Will Die – I remember that you made a piece for my last challenge from the same scene and the difference in the two wallpapers is absolutely stunning and shows how much you progressed. The composition here is very focused, simple but effective. I love that Calliope’s emblem (the book) isn’t simply an adornment here but actually refers to the Codex which foretells Buffy’s fate. I also love how you set out the text! :D

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/compsalty.jpg

In Another World – I loved how you used the globe as a backdrop for your piece, as a representation for the alternate universe and the way you arranged the caps within it. I like the progression from Cordy’s death, to Angel’s death and finally Buffys death, a devastating row of destruction. The way you softly blended the lyrics throughout the piece looks great. Good work! :)

Emotion

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/emonikki.jpg

Absolute – Man, such a heartbreaking scene. :( I love how you just chose to use no texturing at all (and I know how much you love textures :D ) but instead leave all that negative space around mourning Sam and Dean, nothing to distract from the images and the emotions they display with their expressions. The poem you chose is beautiful and fits the mood of the piece and the scene so well! :heart:

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/emojosh.jpg

That Girl – The dark and moody atmosphere you create with the colours and textures in your piece is great. I love how Veronica in her white party dress turns her back at the viewer, like her young and innocent self is leaving and a broken and devastated Veronica stays behind. It’s really a sad scene and you captured that well in your artwork.

Effects (brushes/textures/filters)

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/effectsigne.jpg

Sappho – FYI I preferred the first version of the wallpaper, the paler colouring of the background just emphasizes the colours of the images better. :) I like how you have Edward’s bigger image coloured and Bella’s image b/w while in the smaller versions it is the other way round. I love the little arrow pointing from dreaming Bella to Edward. The way you used the brushes and doodles around the images, as well as the text on the image of Bella reminded me so much of a teenage!girl’s diary/notebook entry about her first boy crush and I think that works really well. :)

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/effectaldieb.jpg

Zombie – I love how you kept the piece light, despite its moody theme. Bella looks nearly faded, which works really well as a visual for how alone she feels. I love how you have Edward lurking in the back and the little arrow running from Bella towards Edward with the lyrics line made me smile. I love the sutble work with ripped paper textures and brushes throughout the piece. Well done!

Honorable Mention

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/honorablewenj.jpg

Brilliant – The colours! I’ll never know how you manage to make a piece so incredibly colourful and still all those colours work together so well! :heart: I love the Doctor’s goofy expression, it really goes well with the quote you chose, I could hear him in my head while looking at your piece. :D The exuberant background looks great and I love how you worked so many little details from the episode in. Really a fun piece, you chose your muse well! :D

5th Place

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/5thtam.jpg

Discovery – I think this is my favourite piece of yours in the last couple of months! The gritty texture with the faded old maps looks awesome and the beige/brown colouring emphasises the earth-y quality of the piece just wonderfully. I love the symbolism of the different fruits and how you use the pergament emblem as a plate. I am especially intrigued by the key in the upper right corner, like the character opens up a whole new world, literally as well as figuratively. Love it! :heart:

4th Place

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/4thbre.jpg

Almost Got You Killed – Man, I squeed so hard when I saw your piece! :D I love the composition with adult!Dean and kid!Dean’s mirroring expressions, drawing a parallel between past and present, the Shtriga incident haunting Dean until the present day. I also love that you have adult Sam blended in, looking sympathetically at his brother as he learns of the past and gets to know a part of him that he wasn’t aware of before. The dark green colouring looks great and I love the quote you used. :heart:

3rd Place

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/3rdamy.jpg

Forever – What draws me most to your piece is the lighting! I really stared at that for the longest time. :lol: The light has a somewhat ethereal quality in this piece, making the characters appear nearly translucent and otherworldly and I love how it is concentrated in the center of the piece, slowly fading out to black at the peripheral. The very light texturing looks great and the composition is really lovely. I also love how you set out the text of the piece, the fancy fonts really vibe well with the atmosphere. Overall it’s a beautiful piece! :)

I had the hardest time deciding between the last two pieces and nearly went for 2 first places but then thought I shouldn’t cheat out of the decision process. Both pieces are equally masterful and so in the end the determining factor in my decision came down to the different use of the emblem in the respective artworks.

2nd Place

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/2ndjennilou.jpg

Where are we? - :thud: <---- That was me when I saw your entry. I wished I was the one who had that idea first, damn! :D The whole concept is beautiful; the boxed ‘puzzle pieces’ show each character as fragmented and ‘damaged’, the island disrupting their lives and I love how you have the different character images ‘cross’ each other, like their lives are suddenly intertwined by fate. The brilliant yellow and orange colours work beautifully. I also like how you used the emblem of the globe as a representation for the island as a world of its own. :heart: Great work!

1st Place

http://saltnburn.misplaced.co.uk/media/1stehlwyen.jpg

Turn to Red – Your piece was the only artwork that not only used the emblem (the tragic mask) as the main symbolic theme of the piece, you even turned the character itself into the emblem, which went even beyond what I expected/wanted to see in this challenge. :heart: I love how you melted the 2 masks together in the forefront and have the ‘real’ Dean turned away from the viewer, his expression hidden. I love how you multiplied that image, showing the different layers to Dean’s complex personality. The colouring is stunning, the violent red and vivid blue enhance the theme beautifully. His bloodsplattered face and fingers add a disturbing feel to the art and resonate well with the brutality of the scene. Overall one of my new favourite pieces of yours! :heart:

Thanks all and hopefully I see you in my next challenge! :D

[Pandora's_Box]

Congratulations to the winners, especially Jenni and Ehlwyen whose pieces were truly inspiring.
Great challenge Galathea and beautiful awards.

[Josh Grey]

Wow, amazing awards :) Congrats to all the winners, amazing entries!
and thanks for my award :)

Awesome, awesome challenge.

[Spillow]

Nice awards! Congratulations winners!

[slaycandy]

Holy crap, Chris you have outdone yourself with these awards, they are freaking unbelievable!!!
Huge congrats to all of the winners, there were some really fab pieces!
SJ
xox

[Fuzzy]

Congrats to the winners!! It was a very good challenge, way above my head though hehehe...

The awards are booty-ful, great job on them galathea! :D

[Smth_Blue]

Thanks a lot for the pretty award! It was really challenging challenge :)
Congrats to you all guys, so many interesting art *goes admire it again*

[amy1234]

Oh wow, thanks alot hun, they are some gorgeous awards! Im glad you liked my piece:D and again thanks for the award, congratulations to everyone else ;) it was an ace challenge xox

[debbiefm]

OMG! *passes out in shock* Thanks soo much for the award and the amazing comments you gave me. This really surprised me as the quality of the entries was soo freaking high. The awards are awesome. Congrats to all the winners and to everyone who entered so many amazing pieces. :D

[Signe]

Ooh! Yay an award :D Me = happy ;) Also, I find it funny that Anna and I got a prize in the same category, but that's just me (probably her as well when she finds out - but who knows?^^) Also, you've made some totally brilliant awards so I'll just :worthy:

[Jenni Lou]

I will jump on the bandwagon to exclaim how beautiful the awards are! Thanks so much for mine. I was repped at least five times for that piece and that is just so amazing to me...that it was so well received. And I am happy because it took so very, very long. :lol:

This was a fantastic challenge concept and there were tons of just brilliant entries. I'm sure it was a pain to judge. But I really liked watching as they all came in. Congrats everyone on yet another challenge well done!!!! :celebration:

[Bre]

Thank you for the amazing award, you have outdone yourself, again, with these! Congratulations to the other winners and thank you, Chris, for yet another amazing challenge! I can't wait for your next! :hug: :heart:

[wenj]

Wow! Those awards are beautiful! Thank you so much for mine, and this challenge was brilliant! Congrats to all, the entries were fabulous! :D:heart:

[~*Marilyne*~]

congrats guys ! the awards are freaking awesome !!! you and your hawt concepts Chris ! ;) I'm lame, I should have entered :( *slaps herself* Anyway congrats again! Especially to you Ehlwyen, your entry's marvelous ! :D

[Nikki]

Thanks for my beautiful award hon, really enjoyed your challenge and the amazing entries you had :heart:

[aldieb]

Awesome awards, simply gorgeous! Marvelous challenge, and the entries... wow :heart:! And thanks for the pretty award (and yes Signe... very funny ^^).

[Ehlwyen]

The awards are stunning Chris! I love the parchment and the vibrant coloring! Thank you so much for the award! :hug: I really had no idea how such a piece would recieved since it's a bit scary looking. So I'm surprised and elated! :heart:

Especially since I'm like wow Jenni Lou! I really was amazed at your Where Are We piece! :heart: The colors and design! Whoa! (and pretty much everything else Chris said) :hug:

Amazing entries all around and I had a lot of fun coming up with my pieces. Lookin' forward to your next challenge Chris!

[SaltyGoodness]

Wow - stunning awards! Great challenge - just sorry I couldn't enter more pieces. Thank you for my beautiful award!

Congratulations to all winners :)