We invite everyone to join our new dAmn chat, #ManipEquips, to discuss photomanipulations, share recourses and advice, and much more.

=Manip-Equips is proud to present its chosen Member of the Year, =Madam-Natas!
We had the opportunity to interview =Madam-Natas, known for her amazing artistic talent and contributions through participating in contests, as well as holding some of her own. She is always happy to share advice and in addition to all that, she has a stock account where she shares stock photos and tutorials, *Madam-NatasStock.

Some of her most interesting works:


=zuzu123: Could you tell us a little about yourself?
=Madam-Natas: Tamra Gross, 26, Kansas City Mo. Married, one kid age 5...
=zuzu123: Where did you get your name?
=Madam-Natas: It has followed me from High school... Natas is Satan backwards and I was a hellion and still am I just matured into the Madam part...

=ctznfish: How did you first hear about dA and why did you decide to join?
=Madam-Natas: I fell across dA by accident through a Google search. I wasn't doing digital art yet, but I had always loved searching the web for inspiration. After about 5 minutes of wandering the site, I joined without question. I really did not have much attention at first nor did I care. Then it all changed with my joining of clubs about 3 months in and even my joining of =Manip-Equips because it inspired my stock account (*Madam-NatasStock). It has been a growing experience for me and amazing for my life and art expression.

=zuzu123: What are your favourite aspects of dA?
=Madam-Natas: Well I liked it more before dav5, it is a little too much now. But the communities and artists I have met here are what drive me, especially their knowledge and experience!!! I just wish more would actually really critique me as I love the good and bad, it helps me grow.

=ctznfish: I totally agree with you that most of the comments could have a little more thought put behind them to help the artist so they can improve and be inspired. And, on that note... who or what inspires your art?
=Madam-Natas: Well, I have one artist whose skills and capability inspire me in the digital world, *SmxDeadlyDesignz. And, a photographer well known for his emotion expressed and controversy `arachnid15. They both inspire me in so many ways to push myself to meet the level of skill I desire.

=zuzu123: That is always a good thing when there are things to inspire and better yourself... Who/What motivates you?
=Madam-Natas: You know much of my life does. Everything around me offers something. Right now my novel and I am also writing plays which both offer a great piece of motivation in my writing and digital art. Also, that I love to give something for others to admire inspires me.

=ctznfish: I think it's great to explore all different types of genres and mediums in art. It's definitely good that you have many different things going for you. On another note... what type of artistic education do you have?
=Madam-Natas: Some private study growing up, High School, and one college equivalent year. Nothing really snazzy. You can't be taught how to be an artist as much as if it comes naturally.

=zuzu123: What artistic categories do you currently work in?
=Madam-Natas: Well, Digital, of course. Also, traditional art, some sculpting, and stock photography. I find myself falling mostly into Dark which many have called a "seductive dark." I love also doing Fantasy and Surreal.

=ctznfish: What do you mainly look for in stock and resources?
=Madam-Natas: I look for strong, high quality photos even when doing reference. I want a crisp stock image, full body, expressive poses, originality, captivating as just a stock image. Clothing or nude, I like to be thought out. I love couples stock though there are little resource there.

=zuzu123: What is your opinion on the stock photos that can be found on dA?
=Madam-Natas: I think that much could be filtered out. I do not believe a snap shot or webcam pic qualifies as a stock image. Many good stocks are hidden and that makes looking for stock very hard. I have files of images I have saved from other searches for use in the future just to help avoid the typical 3 hours I might spend to find a starting picture. Frustrating is a good word for that.

=ctznfish: I was curious to know what your impression of the dA prints service is.
=Madam-Natas: I love the prints, I have a bunch of my own and I sell locally. I bought through those that are excellent quality and just breathtaking from other artists. But, they take well over the typical amount. Then on top of it we can't sell a thing because the print store is a chaotic clutter farm. People don't look through it except for top favorites. Unless you are a well known artist who has sold a lot of prints, you will never be seen.
=ctznfish: That is definitely an unfortunate trend that happens here on dA, not only in prints, but just in normal art showcases as well.
=Madam-Natas: I agree very much so.
=zuzu123: Do you think there is some way for dA to better that system?
=Madam-Natas: Organization first and foremost. Everything is all over the place and I think if minute standards were put into effect it might help with some of the clutter. I am not someone who runs a web site, but I know that other sites similar to dA don't have as much of an issue as with the chaotic clutter blocking artists from being seen.

=zuzu123: To change the subject and get back to your art, do you have a special story attached to one of your pieces?
=Madam-Natas: I do have a Novel in the works that a lot of my art is expressed from. For example, characters of mine, Sebastin and DeMina/Lysaria. A Kindred couple fighting a war of the blood, multiple species of Vampire and gangs and culture all wrapped up into on. Think Anne Rice meets Underworld...

=ctznfish: Sounds really interesting. What types of expressive messages or ideas do you try to incorporate into your work (if any)?
=Madam-Natas: Every once in awhile I slide a few in here and there. Mostly things to make the viewer go, "Huh? Is it this or is that?" I leave subtle things that each viewer's mind will see a bit of recognition within it, or at least I try.

=zuzu123: For me you're very successful at that. Can your give us some tips for working on a manipulation that you got from your own experience?
=Madam-Natas:
1. Do what works for you. There is no right or wrong way to go about working a manip and the methods all vary to each individual.
2. Duplicate and create new layers for each step and lock the old ones so you can go back. You never know what might happen.
3. Save regularly.
4. Try painting more and using the smudge tool, you will grow to love it.
5. Dodge and burn are your best friends.
6. Revise shadows and lighting makes a piece
7. There are no mistakes in art.
8. Adjusting the tools to 100% opacity or flow is never an option in my work. It makes my pieces. Now I can fix with it or create. I just adjust the flow to about 30%. Try my tut, the dark-arts 3 one, it will help in adjusting to it.

=zuzu123: what is your favourite piece you've done so far?
=Madam-Natas: Wow I have so many, but recently I did this one and am very happy with it since it is all digital painting with just reference. True Embrace


=ctznfish: What do you admire the most in art and in an artists behavior?
=Madam-Natas: Trueness. Someone who does it for them and not everyone else. A good friend of mine just joined dA a while back and is a great example of this. He is not typically what draws the watchers but he does it all for him and I get to watch him getting better as he learns. Just be yourself and express is my one rule for loving a piece of art.

=zuzu123: Who are your favorite artists?
=Madam-Natas:
*Sallow has a style that is wild with excitement
*bionic7 has wicked skill with all of what makes Digital
~Aaron-Hawks is a Photographer that makes my eyes pop and jaw drop
~gribblin makes wicked art to skin that is just to die for
*woodsac, love his insanity
*RyoRya, her Traditional almost appears digital she puts so much into it

=ctznfish: Hey just want to say thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. Is there anything else you would like to say before we conclude this interview?
=Madam-Natas: Thank you so much it means a lot that you asked me here for this and great questions, I am so glad. I love it when I can pass something on.