KenGilliland

As an artist, I do four things; Oils on Canvas (Social Commentary), Drawings of National Parks, Photography of Birds and California Native Plants and 2D/3D Digital.

Since most here will be interest in digital work, I'll talk about that. I started in the digital world with a TI-99/4a computer in the early 1980's and immediately started creating art and animation with a very limited graphic range in hexadecimal code (16 colors, 256 shapes). I eventually became a published artist for Asgard Software and a year later when out on my own to form “Notung Software” which became on of the most popular TI Software companies.

After making my switch to the PC, I started with Sketcher (the precursor to Painter) and even owned Fractal Design's "Poser 1". I didn't start seriously playing with Poser until Version 3 came around. With the advent of Poser 4, I began by creating textures and became a brokered artist at Vista Internet Products where I created my first bird model and the PoserTown series. After almost a year with Vista, I decided to go out on my own and briefly revived Notung Software.

At Siggraph 2001, I was asked if I'd be interested in being a brokered artist for the newly formed "DAZ 3D". Of course, I said yes and started as a clothes texture artist. I really didn’t find my nitch in the 3D world until I partnered with BL Render to do the Songbird ReMix Series in 2003. The following year, I came into my own blending my love and knowledge of birds with a strong environmental theme "Threatened, Endangered, Extinct". Designed specifically to raise awareness about threatened species and why they're going extinct. Songbird ReMix imagery have appeared in Duncraft’s product advertisements, in Audubon literature and even on billboards in Nebraska (for the “Omaha Reads: To kill a Mockingbird”)

Since then I’ve steadily worked on improving my texturing with Painter and my 3D modeling skills with Modo, creating a little art and animation, and of course, producing more 3D birds with a strong environmental message.

Besides being a 3D Artist, I work at home as a freelance artist/photographer and ocassional web designer and also volunteer at the Theodore Payne Foundation (a Foundation that focuses a native plant awareness). I am Gallery represented and do sell my "traditional" and digital work.

On February 12, 2010, I was inducted into the TI99ers Hall of Fame.