I created this image to experiment with Maya's powerful fur plug in. I wanted to create a image of a wolf spider that almost violated the viewer. I wanted the image to evoke either fear or respect for these creatures. Almost giving the viewer 2 choices, run away, or lay down and cuddle with it....

I borrowed a specimen of a wolf spider from the local Natural History museum, this really helped with understanding/identifying the anatomy and fur patters/colors. The image was modeled in Wings by a fellow modeler, and I performed all lighting/texturing/rigging/posing. The image was rendered using mental ray, and touch up work done in photoshop.