Default Userpic Poll

[qos]

My default userpic -- which I don't use very often on actual posts or comments -- is a cropped version of the Queen of Swords card from the Robin Wood Tarot. This has been my default image the entire time I've been on LJ, even though I have a large and constantly updated collection of icons.

Recently I found this icon, made by popehippo from an image by fantasy artist Stephanie Law:


She's also a Queen of Swords, but in a whole different key. Perhaps one better suited to who I am right now: more flowing than I was, more daring to be brightly-colored and dramatic, but not losing my grip on my sword of reason and discernment.

On the other hand, the original image connects very directly to a well-known tool and symbol set which are very important to me, and I've had people visit my journal primarily because they recognize the image and it has meaning to them.

So here's a poll, so you can contribute to my decision-making:

[Poll #1008286]

Comments

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

man, I didn't scroll down far enough - missed the "Cate" button entirely!

_that_'s a hard decision...

fwiw, though, the QoS from Robin Wood (the deck _I_ use, btw) is still incredibly colorful (butterflies!), dignified, strong, and looking to the future. I like the icon very much.

[kateri-thinks.livejournal.com]

I am partial to this new image, but...Cate! I HEART Cate! Oy! To choose between one of these and Cate -- the agony! Many Oh Noes!!!

[royalbananafish.livejournal.com]

I love Stephanie Law! She is an excellent artist. I met her in person at GenCon a few years ago, when she was working with this combination chess/card strategy game (which I think never really got off the ground), and interviewed her for the virtual GenCon. Not sure if that interview ever made it to the website, but it was a good one.

[a-belletrist.livejournal.com]

I love Cate, but the image of her is very specific to a certain character in my mind. The image by Stephanie Law (whose work I adore, as you know), is more fluid in interpretation ...

I like it.

[rachel-y.livejournal.com]

I didn't vote (it's been ages since we talked and I don't have a read of you beyond the posts I see), but here's what I see in the two images:

Robin Wood QoS icon: steadfast, static.
Stephanie Law QoS icon: dynamic, acted upon.

The Robin Wood image strikes me as the stronger, more in control of the two. There's more movement and uncertainty in the Stephanie Law image.

[qos.livejournal.com]

Thanks!