Description
Like many of you I was shocked and saddened to hear that one of my favorite artists, Prince, passed away suddenly on Thursday. As a huge music fan and a lover of unbridled creativity in all its wonderful forms, losing Prince feels like someone turned down the lights a little on our world.
I’ve loved Prince’s music since his “Little Red Corvette” days in the early 80s. One of the things that always most fascinated me about him was that he taught himself to play the piano (at age 7), the guitar (at age 13) and the drums (at 14). As a young person he gave me hope that I could teach myself to succeed creatively.
If you’ve followed my work over the years you know that I try not let the world intrude into my gallery. I’ve always wanted DB to be a place to escape the pains of real life. This is an exception.
I was working on this render when I heard the news Thursday and I immediately started adapting it to become a tribute to his genius. I hope you enjoy it.
Rest in peace Prince!
DebraKadabra [lifer]
Three years. My bad.
DebraKadabra [lifer]
So hard to believe it’s already been two years since Prince left this existence. I saw something recently with a quote that I’m not sure was really from him before he died, but that if we needed to look for him to look for and listen to his music, and that he’d still be there. I remember my reaction when I first saw this, and I still think it’s a wonderful tribute to a talented musician I’ve dug since 1982. RIP, Prince–you’re still loved and sorely missed.
Honu68 [nonmonthly]
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life”. Sending you all of my Aloha. Stay strong brother.
Tyler J [basicmember]
Hey I like what I see, because if you know the story he was a community activist and traveled under the guise of musician to help change the world for better. For that this picture is absolute perfect, because trees give life back to the world and so did Prince.
Edwardg0603 [basicmember]
Very nice. 🙂
Mike D [lifer]
Loved Prince. Still do really. It’s a great image yet feels like a “Price Weirwood” with the white bark. Should feel more comforting, or darker colors in the sky.
Susan [nonmonthly]
I liked some of his songs, but not all. I’m like that with most singers.
Same as I like some of this picture, but I don’t like the blue sky and I’m not sure why. Perhaps it needs more of a lilac hue to it.
horcruxhp [nonmonthly]
I’ve always enjoyed his music, some more than others. He was a very talented and creative musician and the world is a smaller place without his contributions… he will be missed.
zoomaven [basicmember]
Although I’m not a big Prince fan there still were some of his songs I really liked. Purple Rain was one I especially liked. What a wonderful tribute to your favorite artist Ryan. I absolutely love this render and would not change a thing!
Matt [lifer]
Lovely tribute, Ryan. It’s interesting that you also created Lavender not more than a couple of weeks ago, and it actually had me thinking of Prince even before this untimely incident. You were onto something and didn’t even know it…
Laura [liferplus]
Wonderful. One of my favorite colors also. Thank you Ryan.
Ty Lambert [nonmonthly]
Thats a lovely way to commemorate a great artist, thanks Ryan 🙂
Ty Lambert [nonmonthly]
Thats a lovely way to commemorate a great artist, thanks Ryan 🙂
Jenanne [liferplus]
Agreed; this is a great render in its own right. I’m hoping for a sunset version. What do you think, Ryan?
Rodewaryer [nonmonthly]
I like that you tribute this but not being a follower I think this is great as a stand alone piece. Quite striking and honestly it makes me think of the Peter Gabriel tune from Wall-e before Purple Rain. No offense to the departed…
Rodewaryer [nonmonthly]
Yep, whilst the foreground on Lavender was better the sunset takes it overall, it just overwhelms as they usually do…
wildthotz [liferplus]
I’ve been enjoying this render all day, listening to Prince, reminiscing, and have been rather wishing it had many more petals blowing in the wind. They seem like tears to me, and there just aren’t enough. The sea of flowers is fantastic, the tree unparalleled, the impact of the scene striking. I’m much more of an audience than artist. Just a thought. Thanks again SO much <3
drow [nonmonthly]
my music tastes are too techno and electronica to really enjoy prince’s music, but there was never denying his talent and artistry. the world’s lost a light, for certain.
you’ve created a fitting tribute.
Jenanne [liferplus]
Even if I hadn’t loved Prince’s music, I’d still have loved this render (my favorite color). Thank you for this tribute, Ryan; 57 is much too young for anyone to leave this world, but particularly someone with Prince’s talent.
Ken Huglin [plusmember]
When you let the “pain of the real world,” as you describe it, into your work the result is always spectacular. The tributes to the Sandy Hook victims and now Prince are very moving and beautiful. Thanks, Ryan.
Mason [nonmonthly]
I love purple, and this is just so beautiful. RIP Prince.
Celmendo [nonmonthly]
Such a loss and it’s so wonderful to see everyone loves his artistry as much as I do. Love this. Thank you
Mario Carini [basicmember]
I believe that purple was Prince’s favorite color. I have never listened to his music so I’m not in a position to praise that music, but it certainly seems like he touched many hearts.
Kazz [nonmonthly]
I’ve been a Prince fan since “I Wanna Be Your Lover” back in ’79 and his passing was a nasty shock. This is a beautiful, fitting tribute for His Purple Badness. I think he would have liked it.
Penny [nonmonthly]
Thank You, Ryan. Lovely tribute for a Lovely Man. Peacefull.
Littlemom [liferplus]
This is a beautiful render. Although I’m not a Prince fan, this is a beautiful render to honor his talent and memory.
wildthotz [liferplus]
The beauty of art is that it lives on and on… yours & his, and touches so many people in ways that tantalize the imagination. What an awesome tribute. Thanks for sharing with us.
Tim [lifer]
This is absolutely amazing. I just love your work, as always. This, to remember Prince by, is just absolutely beautiful!!
Oracle Kai (Malachi) [liferplus]
This is a great tribute, Ryan. His passing hit me hard as well. However, your wallpaper gives a different, more serene spin on his passing. Absolutely B-E-A-Utiful!
Clifton Wood [lifer]
I too have a heavy heart after hearing about Prince’s sudden passing on Thursday. It still hasn’t settled in that we’ve lost such a talent. I have been playing his songs non-stop since I’ve heard the news, and now I can put this image on my screen and feel some measure of peace.
Thank you, Ryan.
Thomas [lifer]
Hi Ryan, indeed a loss that left me speechless. Right when David Bowie passed away, I thought this year couldn’t become worse. And now here we are. I’ve been a fan of Prince since the 80s and was really touched by what people mentioned regarding what he and his work meant to them. It’s abig loss in so many different ways, not to mention “art” by itself.
You said that you didn’t want the world to intrude in your gallery, and this is one of the (many) reasons I admire your work and have become a lifetime member. DB always felt (and feels) like an escape from the world outside, but then again… isn’t your art an interpretation, somehow, of how the outside world impacts on you? 🙂
Okay, anyways – you know, sometimes we might need to escape from our *inside* too. Like when there is too much going on and we seem to not be able to step away from having our minds revolve around the same mess again and again.
This render is not only a very tacful tribute with a most personal touch but also a wonderful example on how you manage to make this magic happen: You are able to lift us off the ground into time and space and sometimes, at the right time, you manage to get our feet back on the ground.
Keep it going, Ryan, wishing you all the best from across the big pond, albeit on a sad occasion. Thanks for contributing a big deal of visual peacefulness to my life. Cheers, Thomas
Tinangel [basicmember]
Oh my gosh! Beautiful
OpelCarl [nonmonthly]
A phantastic wallpaper for an really phantastic artist – Prince will never be forgotten!
Dave [nonmonthly]
I always enjoy your work. This tribute is wonderful and as usual your passion comes out in your work. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Cheryl [nonmonthly]
Prince passing ht me hard to. Your tribute to him is amazing. Congrats to you, you taught your self and you have succeeded creatively. I have always enjoyed your work. Thank you for the tribute.
Amanda B. [lifer]
This could not be more perfect. Prince’s passing has hit me rather hard – I loved his music so much. Thanks for taking your work-in-progress in a different direction for such a great tribute – you’re the best!