StarmanStarman *Edited Dec 21 2008

I had to reread your comment again; I thought I'd add that of you like the "moon with atmosphere", then you should see my most recent one that Spaceweather.com posted. There is even more atmosephere here as a real street scene below the conjunction of the moon-Jupiter-Venus >

http://www.spaceweather.com/conjunctions/gallery_01dec08_page3.htm

Or direct link to sketch >

http://www.spaceweather.com/conjunctions/gallery_01dec08_page3.htm

Thanks for the compliments on my art. It is really quite easy. There are no tricks. You just get passionate and do what your heart tells you to. It does help to get a head start in childhood though as I see many adults wait till middle age and then ask, how do you do this? They are dismayed when I say stop watching TV when you are about 7 or 8 years of age and take a closer look at reality. Parents, get your kids to start looking through a telescope no later than age 9 ~ 12 but have them start to sketch by age 4 or 5. I believe that the best have really started early in childhood while the others were distracted with perceived technology. Also, what do you mean by, I skipped the queue at the talent shop? I believe "talent" is partially inherant and mostly self taught. As an art teacher responded once in class when a young student asked, how do you make such great art? The teacher exclaimed as he pointed to his temple, it takes a little of this, and then pointing to his heart he said, and it takes allot of this. I believe that pretty much says it all.

As for me being the astro-imager for photography; I am not sure which venue you saw my past astrophotographs in. I have had a couple featured as full page print in Astronomy magazine in Sept and Dec 1994; my Robs Tree photos from central Oregon with star trails (see my gallery link below here). Perhaps your spelling of my name is confusing me with someone else. I see you wrote [Mark Sibole]. My last name is spelled Seibold. I have lived in Portland Oregon all my life, but things may change soon.

Thanks much for the comments on the art as it helps direct me to what I should or might be doing with it. I get requests for its possible use on book covers, company logos, etc. I am not really set up to produce it as such but possibly need to as I am now out of work as of last week. Not to convolute here, but I spoke on NPR's Talk of the Nation earlier this week about the whole situation. I am the opening caller. I would like advice from any of you as I find that my art is drawing awareness. What should I do? -Mark >
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98339217

Also see this >
www.myspace.com/marksolarprophet

My Gallery>
http://www.cloudynights.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=37924&cat=500