Greetings,

My name is KL Marsala and I joined DA in 2005 . During my time on DA I have met various artists and have often wanted to know more about them. I find as artists that in order for us to increase and expand our perceptions we need to take time to understand how other artists have developed. In developing those observations the natural progression is then to view your world and interpret it at other levels. Humans are designed to communally learn from each other and reading about one another extends our borders so that we can unchain ourselves possibly from our own preconceived boxes.

It is my desire to get to know various artists on DA not only to help myself expand, but to share my chats with them to help you if you so desire to join in the read.

My background lies in photojournalism. During the 1980’s I worked for various music rags, websites and newspapers photographing and interviewing multiple popular music artists of the day. Leaving the music industry I then began to write extensively on cultural, social and political forays of the day. Writing on the last three presidencies and opinions on our time in history left me with a disdain for politics largely, but every so often I belt out another round for old times sake. Now as I settle back I am working on trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. Photography brings me a great deal of pleasure, so I continue to see the world through my lens. Having several published works, two books and a new journey with my mate I am looking to the day when I am sponsored to travel and bring back the world of global culture to begin sharing it with young students and expand my art gallery. I believe if we can achieve unity if we can bring the world to the eyes of our youth and let them experience the lives of one another- understanding is key.

For this interview I chose the Australian DA talent named Julie, her DA name is Skipychic Skipy is what I call her most of the time and it is what will be used in this interview. So, sit back and enjoy getting to know other talents here on Deviant…

KL: The first thing I noticed about your DA page was the subheading...
"Angelina Jolie Fetishist" care to elaborate on this title?

Skipy: She was the only choice that could describe the type of art I do.. Strong
smart savvy sexy women.. Except mine come with the appropriate muscles to do the things that Hollywood makes these women do

KL: When did you join DA? Why did you join DA? Where you introduced by a friend?

Skipy: I think I joined in 2004, although I never did anything with the membership until 2005. I was impressed by the artwork here, and the focus on ART and not poser products that I found was so prevalent on the other art galleries that I was associated with. A person on R'osity suggested that I come over here, and low and behold I found a lot of the artists that I had in my "watch" list at R'osity here, so I started posting regularly.

KL: Did you have a particular goal in mind when you joined DA?

Skipy: To learn more and hone my art skills to a degree that I can be happy with..
It’s a huge learning curve.

KL: Has your initial works of art changed dramatically since the beginning of
your DA inception? How has it changed or not changed? What influences were there to change or not change?

Skipy: When I first started posting here I did very little in the way of post work
on my pieces, now, with more experience and a confidence that is slowly
growing, I am doing more and more post work.. Don’t get me wrong; there is a great deal of skill in just getting a piece ready for the initial render.. Then the post work comes in if I think its good enough..

KL: How many artists would you say you have come to know since joining DA?

Skipy: Getting to know someone takes time and on this place it is much easier than on other sites as you can respond to peoples comments and a lot of the time the conversation can get very deep or very light and funny..I would be stretching the limit if I said I'd come to know 20 ppl on here.. But I have come to know and admire at least a hundred persons and their work.

KL: Any memorable moments during your time on DA?

Skipy: My first feature.. I had no idea what was going on.. Actually I had no idea what was going on with all these messages that were piling up, lol..


KL: Has there been a particular artist on DA who has influenced you or has
become someone you admire greatly?

Skipy: There are a lot.. Fredy Wenzel for his use of, what is now coined “Fredy Colour”, Guido Leber for his extensive use of post work in his poser images, Louise for her ability to bring out such deep emotion in her work, Steven Perry a photographer who pushes the boundaries with his nudes and always manages to make me think, and laugh. Paula because if you don’t pay attention she’ll get her crop out and swat you silly and last but not least Adrian such a lovely guy and constantly writes stuff in his journals that make you really think.. You may not agree with what he says, but he does make you think.

KL: How has the area of Australia where you reside influenced your work?

Skipy: Actually no. I grew up in a rural area of Australia, and as much as I love
photographing it, I have never been able to get the lighting to give an
Australian feel Poser.

KL: Aside from your drawing creations what other art mediums do you enjoy?

Skipy: O that’s a curly question, ‘cos I don’t draw my creations.. I use a medium
called Poser, its a 3D digital art program, for post work I use PSPX and PS
CS2. I am actually getting back to traditional art styles and have my drawing
stuff set up on the dining table and get to practice whenever my husband needs the computer.

KL: Do you have a profession outside of art?

Skipy: no.. But seriously, I was going to go to Uni and major in Photography
and Pottery.. But alas due to lack of funds and part-time work about, I wasn’t
able to go, so those dreams were never realized..

KL: Have you ever exhibited your works? If you have what was the experience like? If you haven’t would you like to?

Skipy: No, if you discount the school exhibition...Actually the thought of it
makes my nipples shrivel.

KL: Growing up where you encouraged to see the world the way you see it now?

Skipy: I was influenced greatly by the voice of my father, although it does not
permeate my art in an obvious way.

KL: Are there other artists in your family?

Skipy: Not really.. Most of my brothers and sisters (there's six of us) are good
with their hands, but never chose art as a profession.

KL: Do you have other hobbies outside of the realm of art?

Skipy: When I’m not on the computer working with one of my art programs, I am usually at the Gym.

KL: If you could create a work of art that would be completely free of any
inhibiting thoughts and boundaries what would you create?

Skipy: The only boundaries that constrict my work are what my computer will let me do, and I am trying to find a way around that without forking out bucket loads of money.

KL: What is your favorite style of music?

Skipy: I have a wide variety of music that I like. Mainly music with intelligent
lyrics. Inxs, Deborah Conway, The Cat Empire, have lyrics that are grabbing my attention at the moment.

KL: What do you listen to when you create?

Skipy: Nothing mostly unless I’m creating a mood image, then it’s the same song over and over again, lol

KL: Where do you think the future in digital art is going?

Skipy: Digital Art is and adolescent at present.. Slowly gaining acceptance in the wider art community. Pretty much like the birth of Photography as an individual art form.

KL: Are you excited about the possible future of creativity available?

Skipy: Oh, yes, things are only getting better and better.

KL: What book do you own that is the book that you cannot live without?

Skipy: There are two books that I don’t think I could live without.. One is the
“New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures”. And the other is a book by a
local comedian Richard Stubbs called “Still Life - Thoughts of a man hurriedly
going nowhere” There are others that I would pack in my survival kit, but those two are definitely on top of the list.

KL: Describe your favorite article of clothing that you must keep? How old is that article of clothing?

Skipy: My comfy pair of track pants, but they're not old

KL: If you could meet one person in this life past or present who would that be?

Skipy: There are many Famous persons I would love to interview but someone immediate to my life would have to be: My Grandmother, on my mother’s side.. She died when my mum was 9yrs old. I hear so many tid bits about her and her personality.

KL: Household size, pets, kids, etc... Where did you grow up? Schooling?

Skipy: Married almost 6 yrs now, no kids, just one beautiful Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I grew up in a largish family, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, a multitude of animals on a small farmlet in a farming community. Our house was an old “Injured Soldiers Settlement” home my Grandfather got when he returned from WW1 and married.

I went to the same primary school my father went to and at one stage we only had 9 students in total and the school almost closed. Although today it is still open and has over 200 students. Secondary school was tough as the change from going to a 40-student school to a 1000 student school in an underprivileged area was almost overwhelming and disheartening. I really didn’t fit in.. Until year 10 when we were allowed to choose our subjects, so I chose a streamline Art course. I had always thought I’d end up in an art field of work, so it was a logical choice for me to take.. But alas, my parents weren’t wealthy enough to send their two oldest daughters to university, so I had to find a job…. Blah.. Meanwhile my sister lasted 2 years at uni then got a job.. I was quietly soooooooo annoyed at her for wasting my opportunity.. but
it’s all good now.

KL: What in the future would you like to do with your artwork?

Skipy: Grow.. I would love to feel at ease using my wacom as I am with using a
pencil, so my post work would look more fluid and natural (in my eyes)

KL: Any tips or advice to pass along to other DA portfolio users?

Skipy: Learn, Learn, Learn, don’t be afraid to follow a tutorial or two. And take
time to breathe, it helps the brain to function.

KL: Anything else you would like to add?

Skipy: Naaa, not really, my brain is about to explode as it is, lol..

I hope you enjoyed getting to know another artist. There will be many more interviews to follow. If you would be interested in getting to know more about a fellow Deviant feel free to shoot me a note with their DA link.~ KL [link]