Landscapes. Some of the most gorgeous works of art, both historically:

and in the modern world:

are landscapes.

Robertson

The natural beauty found in this world is more than admired. It is emulated, copied and, in some cases, mutilated to create the perfect center piece. So why the obsession with what you could see by going outside? In some cases, it’s a way to recognize the physical source of everything we need to survive. From trees to water, the Earth provides us with oxygen, food, clothing and (let’s not be coy) even our less than basic needs like oil.

 

Given all the Earth does for us in reality, it only makes sense that in the realms of fantasy, it is Gaia (Mother Earth) that fuels all those wondrous magical abilities. In games like “Magic: The Gathering,” the mana that provides the magically abilities to cast spells is represented by lands, specifically, Mountains, Plains, Islands and Swamps. Like all the other cards in this expansive game, these land cards are decorated with beautiful art.

So, it’s no surprise really that artists all over the globe have taken up the hobby of altering the art on these cards, some to wide acclaim. We even have a local artist here that has tried his hand at it.

McNay

Christian McNay is a Quincy native who grew up with a love of dinosaurs and architecture, which grew into a window for him to discover his talent with classic mediums like charcoal, ink and paints. Beyond his love of art, he also enjoys unraveling puzzles, which is what drew him to “Magic: The Gathering” 16 years ago. Luckily for us, those two things have come together and blossomed into an incredibly cool new art. From forest and swamps to magical creatures, he has tackled the Altered Card Art challenge with an inspiring zeal. Check out some of his early works in the genre below. You can view his other alters by looking him up on Facebook.

 

Clara Robertson