'It's crazy': Edmonton artist lands two nominations at World Photography Cup

A local artist has captured global recognition for her fantastic photography.

Renee Robyn, a digital artist in Edmonton, is representing Canada at the 2024 World Photography Cup with two fantasy-inspired composite artworks.

"I'm the definition of a kid that grew up on video games and fantasy novels, and I'm always basically trying to feed the little-kid version of myself," Robyn said.

Robyn and her partner, also an artist, entered the international competition on a whim just before submissions closed.

"I entered five images and they're slowly getting eliminated one by one," Robyn said. "Then, all of sudden, you get the email: 'Hey, you're representing Canada on team Canada.'

"It's crazy."

Robyn has been nominated in illustrative digital art and illustrative portrait art. She is one of the only photographers who will represent a country in two categories.

Her work involves photographing her subjects and backgrounds before layering multiple images together to create ethereal composite artworks.

Robyn's partner Curtis Jones was also nominated.

A representative for Robyn said the pair are the first couple to represent the same country, in the same year in separate categories.

There are 42 countries with submissions to the World Photography Cup.

The top 10 submissions will be announced at the end of January, and the winners will be declared in Texas in the spring.

"Fingers super crossed," Robyn said. "We have some anxious time ahead of us."

Robyn is expecting to launch her first art book in summer. For more information on her or her work, visit her website here.