Tag: Art 2026

Currently open at The Whisper of Phoenix Gallery, operated by Princess Venusia (Venusia McMahon) is an exhibition of art by Carelyna, which she had called Double Sided. It carries with it a simple yet nuanced idea: why have an image on one side of a canvas and leave the reverse blank when you can have two images, ostensibly of the same scene but each somewhat different on nature, one to either side of the canvas?

The result is a series of  paired images with each picture in a pair having its own story to tell.

Take She Sails Against the Wind as an example; in one version, the sky is brighter, the mainsail more fully set, the waters calmer, all of which give a sense of excitement: a sailboat cutting through the water, its pilot likely at ease as she sail towards ports. In the other, the mainsail is taller, thinner, the clouds darker and more roiled, the water heavier, all of which carry a hint of a gathering storm. Thus in one we have a story of carefree times on the open waters, in the other a more uncertain sense of foreboding for the boat and its mistress.

But there is also perhaps something of a nuanced exploration of choice to be found within this collection. Each pair of images gently asks us to compare / contrast their two sides and deliver a verdict as to which we prefer. In doing so, they gently nudge us to consider why we are drawn to one over the other, and the emotional processes at work within us which drive us to that choice.

And even if if such Deep Thought is not something we want to plumb when visiting Double Sided,  there is a third element in this approach: should we be moved to purchase a piece, we in fact have two images we can hang at home and change according to our mood or the changing of the environment in which we live in-world.

All of which makes for an engaging collection.

SLurl Details

• The Whisper of Phoenix Gallery (Papercut, rated Moderate)

Summer continues at Mysterious Isle, Cica Ghost’s Homestead region, as she opened her installation for August 2026 on the 13th of the month.

Called Summer Dream it’s another charming setting blending whimsy with fun in which we’re asked to frolic over hill and dale and under the boughs of tall trees, spot the local wildlife and perhaps lie among the daisies and flowers.

However, this isn’t any ordinary landscape; almost everything we can see appears to have been knitted or perhaps formed from pipe cleaners and wads of foam that have been twisted and glued together, cut and shaped and painted to become knobbly bushes, tall trees and mushrooms wearing their caps like wizard’s hats.

The result is a magical setting reminding us of childhood summers, when the days stretched away before us, bright with opportunity and adventure and without the clouds of school to cast a shadow over us.

Here is a world without a care within it; a place where a bear can enjoy time fishing from the end of a pier; ducks can paddle waters rippled by sunshine and a rowing boat offers the chance to just dip one’s feet in the water and keep them cool. It’s a place where even the tree houses are precisely that – houses perched in trees!

Summer Dream is not a place you want to walk through – it’s a place where you want to start skipping and running, filling the air with laughter and shouts of joy; where the houses and fir trees suggest a game of hid-and-seek might be in order.

It’s always summer somewhere, a quote from Lilly Pulitzer, the fashion entrepreneur famous for her colourful, summery clothing, reminds us.

With Cica, it’s fair to say a good part of summer resides in her heart, and we’re all fortunate to have it shine on us through Second Life.

 Slurl Details

• Summer Dream (Mysterious Isle, rated Moderate)

It’s been a while since I’ve directly written about the work of Sisi Biedermann, an artist working in multiple mediums to present captivating art from Second Life and the physical world and presenting them in-world.

Given this, it was a delight to be able to take an opportunity to drop into an exhibition by Sisi which is currently being hosted by Owl Dragonash at her excellent boutique gallery, Maison de la Chouette, and also to visit Sisi’s new personal gallery space, Magic Art.

Sisi has worked in multiple mediums over the years – watercolours, oils, digital, acrylics – presenting pieces covering landscape art, still life, portraiture, digital mosaics and more.

I joined Second Life in 2007, and back then I never realised how much this would mean to me. Back then I had just started painting with acrylics after a very long break where I raised my children and looked after my family and my work. I started taking photos in Second Life in 2008, and have developed my style ever since.

– Sisi Biedermann on her art, 2017

Since first introduced to her art almost a decade ago, I’ve been a confirmed fan; all of her work is utterly unique and inspirational – and frankly, I at times feel I haven’t covered it as much as perhaps I should. With her most recent exhibition at Maison de la Chouette, Sisi has chosen the same title as her new personal gallery space: Magic Art, neatly linking both gallery and exhibition together in both name and theme.

Both present Sisi’s still life art with a focus – I believe I’m correct in saying – on watercolour pieces. At Maison, the theme is largely that of beautiful pieces of plants and flowers, whilst at Sisi’s personal gallery space this also broadens into studies of cats  – whether her own or not, I’ve no idea, but given she does appear to be a cat lover (something we have in common!), I would not be surprised if they were.

What is clear is that all of these pieces have been beautifully executed as paintings, and then framed and uploaded to Second Life as outstanding pieces of art fit to grace any SL home.

The move to the new gallery space seems to reflect the start of a new chapter in Sisi Second Life in which she has scaled back on the overall size of her gallery – which she also used to host exhibitions by other artists – which, after almost 20 years of activity in Second life is perfectly understandable! The important thing here is that Sisi has not withdrawn from SL as a medium for artistic expression and its ability to help promote physical world art; she’s simply refocused.

On an entirely personal note, I will admit to missing elements of Sisi’s digital art within her new gallery space; perhaps this will come with a changing of exhibition theme. I say this not because Sisi’s paintings are lacking in any way, but simply because her digital art and collages are very much a part of her artistic expressiveness and also a joy to behold, so I hope there is an opportunity to see some of them in the future.

In the meantime, Magic Art, whether seen at Sisi’s own space or at Owl’s Maison de la Chouette, is a magical exploration of paintings from the physical world, offered for appreciation in the digital and not to be missed!

Slurl Details

• Maison de la Chouette (Novatron, rated Moderate)
• Magic Art (Modest, rated Moderate)

Maven Art Collective is a new arts community in Second Life open to all those who produce and present art via the platform Life, be they in-world photographer-artists, physical world artists using Second life as a medium to reach a broader audience and / or 3D artists working in prims or mesh.

Founded by Amari Maven of Maven’s rentals, working with artist Janus Fall (the collective’s Art Director), the collective is based in one quarter of Maven Isle. Focused on a large main events and exhibition hall, together with a garden space for 3D art,  the Maven Art Quarter also provides individual boutique gallery spaces free of charge for artists wishing to display and sell their art.

However, there is one small catch (so to speak): Maven Art Collective is about involvement, not just providing space. Those joining will be asked to actively engage with the Collective by participating in group events, mounting their own (or joint) exhibitions and helping promote the Collective and art in Second Life as a whole. Which, in return for a free gallery space is a very fair exchange.

If you are interested in joining the Collective, please contact Janus Fall or Amari Maven in-world.

Inaugural Exhibition

Friday, August 7, 2026 saw the opening of the Collective’s inaugural exhibition within the main gallery space, featuring current Collective members Anja (Neobookie); Sisi Biedermann; Zia Branner; Cass (cassandra Ushimawa); Alexandra Costanza; Duraya; Hadiya Draper;  Eta (etamae); Sharon Emerald (3d Dismantled); Janus Fall; Leica Frame (LeicaFrame); Kayly Iali ; JakeloveAdeer; Life Suki and WVP (Traci Ultsch). Together, the artists offer a rich blending of art and expression to present an excellent and engaging exhibition.

As well as exhibitions like this, the main gallery and spaces within the Collective’s Art Quarter will be used to promote art in Second Life through special events, showcases and celebrations across the artistic medium.

Again, if you are an artist interested in becoming an active member of the Maven Art Collective, do be sure to contact Janus or Amari in-world.

If you appreciate artistic expression in Second Life, do be sure to pop along to the gallery for this first exhibition – and, if you are so minded, don’t forget to subscribe to the Collective’s in-world Group to keep abreast of news and updates!

Slurl Details

• Maven Art Collective (Maven Isle, rated Moderate)

Currently being hosted through until the end of August 2026 at the Savoy Rooftop Gallery, Creations Park is Atmospheric Second Life, a collection of photographs captured by Babs Belmonte (Babette Bellios) from across Second Life.

This is an engaging collection of 40+ images showing Second life in its many facets as a world of natural beauty by capturing popular locations across the grid and presenting them in a manner which encourages the eye and imagination.

Presented in a variety of styles from near-watercolour in look and wash (such as Deadwood, Forgotten Waters, and Still Among the Reeds) through to bordering on photo-real (e.g. Silent Anchorage, Towards Tranquillity, The Sentinels and Moonlight), thee collection is reached varied in its approach to its subject as befitting the nature of Second Life. In doing so, they also underscore the artist’s sensitivity to the places she captures and her use of both EEP and post-processing to create both mood and narrative.

The latter two – mood and narrative – is evidenced throughout. These are not only pieces intended to reflect Second Life, but to draw one into it;  framing, cropping, focus all serve to generate a story behind each piece, one that reaches beyond its title to draw the audience into it. As a further individual example – The Quiet Way – it immediately draws the eye across the rickety bridge and instils a desire to see what lies within the grove of trees on the other side.

I have been capturing the beauty of Second Life through photography for several years, and I continue to be inspired by the incredible diversity I discover as I explore its ever-changing landscapes and communities. Every image is a reflection of the unique moments, creativity, and atmosphere that make Second Life such a remarkable virtual world.

– Babs Belmonte describing her Second life photography and her inspiration

I also confess to loving the appearance of photobombing within Welcome to the Beach. This is just utterly delightful and, being alongside the exhibition’s landing / entry point, it really opens the mind to appreciating all that Babs has brought together for this exhibition.

Loosely split into a series of themed elements – nature, seascapes, and the “artistic every day”, all of which flow one into the next such that they gently overlap rather than being rigidly demarked, Atmospheric Second Life is a richly engaging collection.

Slurl Details

• Atmospheric Second Life (Creations Park, rated Moderate)