Deb Walker has fast become a well-known figure here on dA, pushing for that which is good and meaningful, always courteous, and with a real heart for other artists in trouble. Now one of dA's Seniors, she is the founder of Ripped Art Task Force and has formed a wonderful team of administrators and helpers who dedicate much of their time to investigating cases of art theft which has been reported by our members. Several sites have been closed down as a result, and much information is coming to light on the extent of, and the damage caused by, unscrupulous people who blatantly steal artwork with no concern or respect for the original artists and their personal wishes.

She has also spent many hours producing Spotlights and features for the benefit of artists across the board, and I have the highest regard for her professionalism and thoroughness in what she has taken on.

Besides all this, she herself is a great fractal-artist, and I shall be featuring just a few examples of these works under the following interview.

The Interview

1. How long have you been creating art and when did you begin creating digital/fractal art?

When I first began using the computer I did some surfing and found some beautiful art, and decided that I wanted to try it. I have actively been doing fractal art for about 1 year. I had experimented with it in the past with Fractal Explorer and Fractint, just never felt confident enough to do it. Computers graphics were a major interest to me and for a time I designed logos and webpages for other people.

2. What got you started?

My life was very complicated at certain points, so I began to use art as a way to deal with the painful issues in my life. I found it was healthier and made me feel better about what was going on at the time.

3. Do you have any formal training either as a traditional artist or in digital art?

I have had no form of training other than art class in high school. I did however win a scholarship when I was 15 due to my ability to draw and sketch to a very renowned art school. My parents at the time, could not afford to send me so consequently, I could not go.

4. What software do you normally like to use?

The software programs I prefer to use are Apophysis, Ultra Fractal, and Fractal Explorer for my fractals, and PSP8, Corel X, Photoshop 7.0 for post work, Gimp, as well as Bryce 5.0 for other mediums with different effects.

5. Do you have a preference for the type of picture you like to create?

Something colorful, and pleasing to my eye. The world is much better with color in it. Occasionally, I get an idea that pops into my head and I just cannot rest until I have seen it to completion. Most of the time, each piece is an empty canvas, and I put on it what my instincts tell me.

6. Can you give a brief overview of your technique?

In Apophysis, I load the program and pick a parameter with as little on it as possible. I change numbers in it until I can get the image to begin looking like it is more than a line. When it finally has some substance to it, I begin manipulating the triangle, and change number equations to enhance or take away from whatever the effect is that I have created. Sometimes, I will enhance the fractal with a script created for the program. It does take me weeks at times to create one outstanding image. I usually have 10 images at a time (over several weeks) in process, but not completed.

7. What sort of things inspire your artwork?

That is a difficult question. My friends inspire me with the art they create. When I see a new way to make a fractal, I like to try it for myself, mainly because we all learn from one another many different ways to create our own artwork. I find that I am inspired by the beautiful pieces that are made by those whom I admire. Many of the fractal artists on DA set a mark to reach that is slightly higher than the one previous....it is a personal goal to achieve it.

8. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

The one thing I always tell everyone is to "pay attention to details." it always amazes me what you can find if you only take the time to look at it. Never give up, try something different, stand back and look at the image from a different angle. Never be afraid to try something new.

9. Do you have any future plans for diversifying your artwork?

At this moment, I would like to purchase a few of the images from my print account and see if I can sell them locally. If anything, see if there is an interest.

10. Is there anything else you'd like to add about what you do?

Only that I like to be a positive influence and inspiration to others. Give back to the community what has been given to me.

11. I understand you are the team leader of RATF.. Tell us something about this, and what it's functions are?

The purpose of the Ripped Art Task Force (RATF) is to assist artists who have had their work stolen to resolve the theft issues by providing important information, support, and intervention if requested.

12. What was the reason behind you and your team starting this up?

My art had been stolen and sold on eBay and the only one to profit was the thief. I did not like the way things were handled in my particular case, and decided to resolve the issue myself. In the meantime, I am hearing stories of others, reading journals, and receiving notes regarding a theft from my friends and asking me to help. The founding of the RATF was due to the Fresh-Paper rip, which had at one time 5 websites. When I started investigating this on my own, found out that 11 of my own images were taken. Well, I could not see my friends and fellow artists suffer with this the way I did, so I decided to do something about it. My friends Anita and Lauren both said if I were to start a new site, they wanted to be part of it as both knew how I felt since they had their own art ripped…and there you have it!

13. How can other dA members (and even staff) best help you in furthering this mission and keeping its high level of success?

At this moment we are very short-handed on having enough serious volunteers from all parts of DA to search for the ripped art, and identify the original on DA. For example, I am familiar with the fractal community and can identify the work of other artists on DA easily whereas someone from the vector art category would not. We need as many eyes on the net as possible. We realize we cannot police the entire internet, but hopefully we can get the word spread that DA artists do not want their work stolen.

We also need others to research specific information. Currently Anita and myself spend countless hours searching for information we need when we could concentrate our efforts on other areas.

14. What advice would you give dA artists with regards protecting their works (insofar as this is possible)?

My suggestion to everyone is to watermark everything. Put a copyright notice under each and every deviation, and display it in the footer of their journals. It may not stop the theft, but it will make it a little more difficult for thieves to put their own names on everyone’s hard work. Even if your work has not been stolen, become familiar with what you need to do to take care of the issue, and prevention.

15. Any final thoughts?

Get as much information out there to benefit the artists with educational articles, protection, prevention, and resolution of theft issues. Lead and learn by example. Teach everyone about copyright laws. Above all, I would like to continue to run the RATF with the highest ethical standards possible to seek out facts and truths instead of rumors and misinformation.

RATF now has its own external site, so that it can better lay out the pages and serve everyone who needs help with more clarity. Click Here to go to this site.

Here are some of Deb's artworks from her gallery

OMGosh - do go and visit her gallery - it's full of absolute treasures!!!

And here are some of her wonderful floral photos!