I don't mind answering your question here, but in the future, you can also ask questions related to this contest
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As stated in the banner rules section of the contest thread, the banner should contain the "Summer Art Contest" and the MangaHelpers community logo (look at the very top, left-hand corner of this page) and must look summery. All of the specifications for the banner should be listed in the top part of my opening post in that thread, but if you find yourself more questions, I'm always happy to answer!
The soul sig contest is complete, and the one whose entry touched the souls of the most voters is
~Coffee~!
The first thing that one notices when viewing "Pandemonium" is the technical prowess like the strong use of basic colors. The reliance on essentially only red, white, and black (with some shading and flesh tones) really makes the image pop out at you and seem much more engaging. If you look closely, you'll notice there are small diagonal lines running across the image. These lines in tandem with brilliant use of shading give the image a texture, adding a new dimension of depth and creating an illusion that one is viewing something more than just a simple computer-generated image.
The main figure in this image is an androgynous (presumably female) android. At first glace, the machinery on her right arm seems to be some sort of weapon of great destructive potential, but moving up the arm, a red cross is visible suggesting that there may be some sort of medical nature. In this context, the box on the other arm as well as the white design of the clothes and hair further support the role of a healer, but the menacing gaze in her glowing, blood-red eyes emanate an aura of danger. One can clearly see incongruities in her nature, supporting the inner turmoil suggested by the caption "chaotic soul" (written in a very appropriate font that underscores the futuristic feel of the piece).
I especially like all of the subtle and interesting ways that the image ties into the soul theme. Firstly, the choice of using an android gives "Pandemonium" a sort of
Ghost in the Shell feeling to me, a connection enhanced by the glowing strands of white hair in the background reminiscent of the depiction of digital space in the anime. For those unfamiliar with that series, it depicts a futuristic society in which humans have the capabilities to cybernetically enhance themselves, both physically and mentally, to the point where issues of their own humanity and conscience in relation to artificial intelligence becomes prevalent. A definite must-see anime metaseries for those into science fiction, it is relevant here as one wonders whether or not machines can have souls or not.
Furthermore, the small spheres of black, white, and red floating about not only add a really cool effect but also invoke imagery of hitodama, the small, ethereal balls of light said to be made of human souls in Japanese mythology. The previously mentioned glowing, gossamer strands of white hair in the background could be viewed as soul threads, branching out into the ether.
Overall, "Pandemonium" is another example of ~Coffee~'s masterful skills as a graphic artist. It has been said that the soul of an artist can be viewed through his art, and having gotten to know ~Coffee~ the little bit that I have, I feel like his soul shines through his work. While I hope he is currently not facing any sort of inner chaos like the girl in the image, I will say that this image showcases the dynamic nature of his heart and the complexity of his spirit that make him such a wonderful person with whom to interact.
Thank you, ~Coffee~, for making such a powerful signature. May it hopefully speak to the soul of some viewer who currently finds himself or herself in a state of pandemonium and alleviates their troubles!
Please be sure to wish ~Coffee~ your own congratulations and let him know if/how the winning entry resonated with your soul!
There is still one week left on the dance theme contest. Hopefully, there will be some entries soon. Don't save the last dance until the last minute!
, but if you have the spare time and interest, it would be great if you could submit something. The thread is 
