The gift of Bel Studios (eBay screen name: Bumo2007 (click this link to view his work).
Bumo2007 is a gifted painter, who shares his works with the world on eBay. It remains a mystery to me how such quality and skill shows in such a small piece.
Forest Pond, By Bumo2007
Medium: Oil.
Type: ACEO (Art cards, editions and originals)
After wandering deep into the wilds of Utaemia, in search of what everyone had promised me was only myth and legend, being weary, and overcome with thirst, I fell to my knees before a pool of clear, inviting water. Fatigue must have overcome my senses, for I did not, at first, notice what lay beyond. After satisfying my thirst, and gaining some strength, I wearily looked up, noticing for the first time a shimmer -- no, more than that! After a lifetime of searching, I had found it; the entrance into the realm of the Eldishar . . . the doorway into Utaemia!
My life's quest was at an end . . . a beginning!
Little Falls, By Bumo2007
Medium: Oil.
Type: ACEO (Art cards, editions and originals)
I gaze into this little gem as if seeing, for the first time, another place, and whisper, "Perhaps Little Falls be a secreted place in the world of Utaemia -- a place that even the elves have yet to discover".
Moon Light Pond, By Bumo2007
Medium: Oil.
Type: ACEO (Art cards, editions and originals)
THIRD DRAFT:
Making herself comfortable, she waited for the rising of the moon in all its splendor and glory, her eyes gazing at the darkened horizon, petrified, unmoving. Since she took her first step, she had always come here.
Waiting, she squinted at the illuminating night sky until a crest of white tipped the horizon. As it did, she felt the euphoria that would soon fill her entire being . . . the power of transformation.
Lifting her fair hands up before her, she gazed in ernest at them, smiling as lengthy fur grew from hands that shifted and transformed before her eyes.
The feeling of change outweighed the pain she felt as her fingers lengthened. Grimacing in ecstasy, she grit her teeth as razor-like talons replaced the common fingernails of a human. A crack in the back of her neck caused her to wince, followed by many other changes to her once human beauty.
Within a short time, she felt the last of the pain, and the euphoria diminish.
Again, she settled down as the moon slowly crept into the night sky. She greeted the moon; her closest friend. Inhaling, she prepared to speak with it, as she had with every rising since she was very young, but a subtle movement in the trees, across the water, silenced her communication before it began. Quickly crouching, she froze in place and watched, lengthy ears scanning the clearing and forest beyond as hackles began to rise.
She did not wait long before a male human emerged into the grass and stopped, dropping a heavy load of wood and un-shouldering a large pack. Kneeling down, he opened his pack and pulled something from it.
Through unblinking eyes, she scrutinized the trespasser for a time as he built a fire and began cooking something on a stick.
An hour passed in silence.
As the human finished eating a small meal, she stalked around the pond with a silent grace, no more than a percieveable breath of gentle wind through the trees.
Soon, she was in the darkness of the trees directly behind the man. Licking her muzzle, she tensed, then silently leapt onto his back, instantly pinning him to the ground, face down. A muffled cry came from her victim, before she gripped his shoulder in a vice-like hold and flipped him over.
"Face me human!" She snarled. The shock of surprise when she turned him over made her howl with laughter. She stepped away, eyeing him warily through narrowing eyes. "Your human blindness could have gotten you killed Jarstel. You really need to fine tune your awareness." The young man, took in a deep breath, then released it quickly, visibly shaken.
"Shree . . . " He sounded relieved. "Well," he shuddered, "I'll keep that in mind. By the way, Shree, what took you so long? I thought lycanthrope are never late." She shook her head vigorously, attempting to calm her hackles, and bore her teeth at him.
"Well," she shuddered, obviously mocking Jarstel, I was enjoying the scenery. Jarstel blushed, which was something she really liked about him.
She remember when they had first met. It was at a meat market in the human village. His manners quickly attracted her to him, sparking a friendship that deepened within a short time.
Now, over the past three moons, they had taken to exploring the wilds in search of fame and fortune. He really wasn't that skilled, but showed improvement through training.
Jarstel's eyes nervously darted to the left, then right.
"What?" He reluctantly stated. She shook her head, clearing the daydream from her mind.
"Nothing. Just browsing." Jarstel blushed again.
"Stop it. I feel like a fish on a hook," he whispered. She snickered; a soft, deep rumbling.
"Okay, I'll stop. Shall we begin? I have everything planned . . . did you bring torches? I don't want you to trip on a root and hurt yourself before we arrive." Jarstel nodded, ignoring the sarcasm.
"Small candle lantern." Nodding in approval, she closed her eyes and willed herself back into human form. Within a few moments, she was, again, changed. Stepping up to him, she looked up and smiled, capturing his undivided attention. Shree knew she was not so intimidating in this form.
Clearing his throat, Jarstel threw her a grin, filled with charmed admiration.
"I'm ready," he said with some difficulty. She grinned and suddenly hugged him.
"Me too. Tonight, I want to introduce you to the pack." A look of surprise instantly crossed his face. For a minute, he seemed to struggle with the idea. Then he slowly embraced her in return. She could smell his sudden fear.
"Will they accept me? You told me outsiders are strictly forbidden. We are not supposed to know -" Snapping her teeth loudly, she cut him off.
"Jarstel, it's okay. You are no longer an outsider. I know you are worthy of this secret. If it would make you feel better, I'll shift back into lycan form and bite you. Then you won't have to worry about anything but living in the village." Jarstel's eyes widened, then he smiled brightly.
"I don't mind if you bite me." Instantly, Jarstel's smile faded and his face turned purple. "I mean, oh boy -- I meant . . ." Shree laughed with delight and took his hand, squinting up at him and biting her bottom lip.
"Get your lantern out. We need to be there shortly. Oh, and I hope you still have room for more food, because my parents told me they want you for dinner." She paused for a moment, watching his anxiety rise at the way she stated the invitation. Based on the relationship existing between their two very different races, she never could resist teasing him. Shaking his head, he burst out in sudden, nervous laughter, but made no reply.
"My mother has prepared a feast to celebrate the waxing of the moon." She smiled brightly and released his hand, so he could retrieve the small lantern.
After the lantern was burning steadily, Shree took Jarstel's hand and led him into the darkness of the forest.
That evening, Shree and Jarstel enjoyed a huge feast. The part Shree loved the most was the look of childlike awe that filled Jarstel's face as he mingled with those most humans would flee in terror from. She remained in human form to ease his anxiety, holding his hand most of the time.
After dinner, the entire pack sat about a bonfire as her father recited the ancient legend of their pack's history. Other stories and legends were then told by skilled entertainers and lycan bards, filling the night air with music and stories of adventure.
Two moons after introducing Jarstel to her pack, he asked for her hand in marriage, which she gladly accepted. Of course, she made him go ask her father, which turned out in his favor.
Life was good.
Morning Glow, By Bumo2007
Medium: Oil.
Type: ACEO (Art cards, editions and originals)
There were lights in the forest that night; I dared not take the road. But I did not leave. I watched on in wonder as they moved through the trees. Then, in my heart, came the warning to flee -- get away! And so, I ran, but as I turned, I found myself unable to turn away. As if in a dream, I followed the lights beckoning . . .
Through The Trees, By Bumo2007
Medium: Oil.
Type: ACEO (Art cards, editions and originals)
. . . deep into the forest I followed, until at last I came to my senses. If it were not for you, happening upon me, I should have been lead into the Dire Swamplands to join the ranks of victims caught in the entrancing web of the wisps.