"Dancing Dryads" by Stephanie M. Riley

Whether or not you were the first to think of it, this is the first time I've seen an idea even remotely like it put to image. I love the way you've depicted this thought! I'll never look at swaying branches the same way again. ^_~

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "Why thank you! Like I said, I'm not sure if it's necessarily MY idea, but it certainly is a lovely one."

I could have sworn that I saw this picture before somewhere and commented on it. *shrug* I'm not accusing you of stealing or anything (it's clearly in your own style), but I thought I'd let you know that it might have been uploaded elsewhere.

...Or maybe I just saw it when you uploaded it and only THOUGHT I commented.

In either case, this is a beautiful piece with a lot of emotional and imaginative power. Very original and very well-designed. It has a lot of rhythm, so much that it really DOES seem like they're dancing. It makes me feel like I stumbled upon them in some enchanted forest and am secretly admiring them from behind a bush or something..

Okay, I'll shut up now. Anyway, great shading, composition, rhythm... Good stuff. Keep up the good work!

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "Actually I was inspired by another persons idea of the woman in the tree and I thought it was really awesome. I wanted one of my own! So I had these dancing girls lying around in an old sketch book and I decided to re-vamp them to make them into the tree-women. I really love the way it turned out and I get that feeling of having just creeped up on them, also! thanks for the awesome GIGANTIC comment!"

Wow! What an original picture! How did you draw that...it looks so complicated! Keep up the good work!

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "I drew it first with a pencil and when I thought I liked it I did all the detail with a black pen. It was a little complicated but it was a lot of fun! Thanks for the comments!"

Wow, I never imagined creatures like them dancing, but it looks amazing!
Love Rian

I think that I have changed my favorite picture to this one!!! I love it, and think that is looks super cool!!!! I love ya!

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "Thanks, Nia! I'm quite fond of this one too, it took me quite a while to get their markings right. Love you!"

This is so cool...I always wondered how they got all the leaves off...composition is realy full and the motion is great...

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "Thanks! I like to imagine my nice trees doing this after I go to bed."

I love the idea, it reminds me of being little, having such a vivid imagination as I did, I did think trees did thing like this in the wind at night, banging the windows as they went by!! maybe they did?. I can see this as an etching or a textural piece of work, with the feeling like bark off the tree!

Stephanie M. Riley replies: "I thought of this only as an adult so I guess I wasn't as imaginitive as you as a child, hahaha! I wish I were though. But still, I'm glad you like it."

WHERE ARE THE LEAVES?! Isn't that the whole Point....

I've made a similar version, but with leaves. It looks better with them.

They remind me of the willow trees near my house, similar structure I guess. The texture on the bodies is incredibly beautiful and I love the feeling of movement.