I had originally intended this as an ID piece, as it's a self portrait of sorts... but it sort of went way beyond what I'd planned, so the ID will have to wait for something else.

Named Tianhou after one of the names of the Chinese goddess of the sea (are we spotting a theme of late?) - also known as Tianfei, Matsu-po (meaning Elder Lady Matsu), and A-Ma. I love the idea that this goddess was once mortal, and isn't some wild uncontrollable force but one that helps those in trouble in the sea. Being terrified of deep water myself, it's kind of a contrast! That and I can't actually submerge myself in water as I have damaged ear canals and the pressure is intensely painful. But I've always wanted to go diving, and used to love the quiet hiss of being surrounded by water and the way it amplifies sound before the doctors screwed my ears up.

All of which was probably more than you needed to know! Other interesting tidbits... I'd originally intended to go really subdued on the colours, to fit with the DA green-gray, but these rainbow esque tones came into the equation quite unbidden, proving I can't escape my love of the more saturated colour.

Can't say how many effects and textures and layer modes I've used here... the most layers I've had in a piece for a long time. Fun to experiment though. All PS, and done over about two weeks worth of lunchtimes, so about 10 hours work in all.

Used this pic: [link] by the lovely ~ladydove7-stock And as is my artistic right, did myself a few favours along the way. Ehehe. Longest description evar.