Hey guys,

My name is Steven Palmesano and my buddy who is going to join me for this friendly competition is Andrew Leslie. We both started using Maya at around the same time (I started in 2006). However, I was young and stupid and did not take 3D art as seriously as I should have. Now that I only have a year left in school I realize the need to be more serious about my artwork so I have decided to get back onto forums.

The reason we are doing this is because we are both on break and have some free time. Instead of partying and relaxing, I thought it would be better to work on a project. We are going to start this competition on Tuesday, 9/27. Here are the rules we have decided on:

•Environment related
•CGSociety, Polycount, and SimplyMaya forums
•Begin time is 8/9 AM (CST/EST) and end time is 8/9 PM
•WIP shots can be posted as frequently as the gentleman wants to post them
•Final images are to be posted before this deadline, no exceptions
•Topic for voting will be made shortly after the competition is finished, with the final renders from both of us
•Voting period is three days, so it will approximately end on 9/30 at 8/9 PM
•Winner is determined by the sum of the sites' total votes combined
•No work can be done on the project prior to the starting time
•No previous models can be implemented
•References can be collected before start time
•How the artist presents his work is up to him
•No PaintFX!

However, we have not decided on a defined topic yet. I wanted to do some kind of animal hybrid with mechanical elements. Andy did not think this was as cool as I did though, so I brought up the alternative of doing an interior scene. We thought it was best to leave the decision of a topic up to the community, so you guys can decide what you want us to do! I am short on time tonight, but I wanted to get this topic out there. If anyone wants to know anything else or has a recommendation, please do not keep quiet!

Thanks,
Steven Palmesano