deviantDIRT is a series of news articles interviewing members of our community that are lesser known, but contribute and make a big impact. deviantDIRT is geared towards getting to know contributing members on a very personal basis, going beyond, "Thank you for the fav" and digging up the dirt... getting down to the knitty gritty. This is the second volume of what I hope to be a continuous and successful project.



When I first met Patrick, =Lone-Wolf-No-More, he was a new member who wanted to get involved with *The100DProject. I thought that that was cool, but like so many new members I didn't expect for him to really stick with such a demanding project. Months later, not only has he proven himself to be a devoted member of this community, he has become a very good friend of mine. In his short time here he has gone above and beyond the typical deviant. He cares about the community, gives lengthy feedback, and works hard to build the community. This month he gave every one of his subscribers a one month subscription as a thank you for watching him. He is a shining star on deviantART and I expect to see absolutely greatness come out of him in everything. He is sincere and compassionate.



Hey Patrick To start off the interview, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, where you are, and where you’re going?

Well, I was born in on an Army base in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and being an Army brat, I moved around a lot. I have lived from coast to coast (US). Somehow we always ended up back in the same general Georgia/South Carolina location though. I come from a lower middle class family, so we couldn't really afford for me to go to college. I probably could have gotten a scholarship, I was taking Honors and AP classes in high school, but I guess I was just having too much "extracurricular fun". My grades were mostly B's and C's. So I enlisted in the Navy in July of 2002. My current home port is in Norfolk, Virginia but at the moment, I am actually deployed overseas. I'm not allowed to say exactly where, the whole operational security thing, but let's just say I have seen my share of sand countries.

Who ARE you? [Take this question as literal or metaphorical as you want.]

That has the potential to be a very complicated question! I'll try to keep it fairly simple though.

My name is Patrick, and I'm 24 years old. I consider myself to be a pretty laid back, down to Earth kind of guy. I love animals, and I have actually never met an animal that I couldn't get along with. My passion when it comes to animals are Wolves though. I dunno, I have always just sort of felt a bond with them. I think I'll just leave this question at that...

You’re currently in the Navy, correct? What made you enlist? What have you learned from your time spent serving?

That is correct. It was really a combination of things that made me enlist: money for college, the chance to travel the world (and get out of the South), and I knew that I would have job security. I come from a military family too, so I was sort of pre-determined to end up in the military. Sure, I could have gone a different way, but it just seemed the best choice for me. I have actually grown a lot in my 6 years or so serving. I have definitely learned a lot too. Aside from the technical knowledge that I have gained, I have learned of and seen various cultures from around the world, I have learned to be more disciplined where it matters, and how to be self reliant.

Your wife is *starndark here on dA . How did you guys meet? When did you know it was love?

It's actually sort of a funny story. We met back in high school. She sort of stalked me for her best friend to find out more about me. I ended up dating her best friend at the time, and Madeleine (my wife) and I became good friends. Over the years that we knew each other, that friendship grew deeper and deeper. I have always felt strongly towards her, and it just so happens that we had the same last name before marriage! (no relations what-so-ever though, trust me - I checked lol) We became so close that people actually thought we were siblings, and we kind of ran with that idea. To be honest the thought of dating her had crossed my mind back then, but neither one of us was ever single when the other one was, so we just stayed good friends. A few years after I left to join the Navy, I came home on leave for my birthday and saw her again. It was just one of those moments in life that I knew I would regret if I didn't act on. We ended up dating about a month after that, and one year to the day later, we got married! I guess you can say that I have loved her for as long as I have known her, but kept that love in check due to both of our varying relationships over the years.

What are you twelve tattoos? Any interesting stories behind them?

You know, I really do need to get some pictures of them on here...people ask me about them a lot. Each of my tattoos has a meaning behind them, even if it is only known to me. I won't go into detail about what all of them mean (or this would be one extremely long article), but I'll tell you what they all are and what a few of them mean. I guess you should know that I consider my tattoos to represent two sides, or aspects of me. I am not Japanese at all (that I know of), but I am part Native American. I suppose it is more about representing my spiritual self with my childhood (and adult) love for the realm of fantasy. Let's see, where to start...

1. My first tattoo that I got is a sort of spiritual-looking wolf head on my left shoulder. It represents my love and the bond I feel with wolves. It is to such an extent that I have actually been told by a Native American spiritual leader, that I have the soul of a wolf.
2. Below that one, I have a crescent moon with a face in it.
3. On the front of my right bicep, sort of wrapping around it, I have a dagger. The bottom of the hilt is an eagles head and as it gets closer to the blade, it branches off into its talons.
4. On the left side of my chest I have some tribal work, sort of in the shape of a heart, with the letters USN intertwined in it. It is pretty obvious what that one is all about. (me being in the Navy)
5. Stretching from just below my left pectoral muscle down to my left hip, I have an Oriental style dragon head and front claws. It has the appearance of ripping out of my skin.
6. On my left shoulder, I have another dragon, but this one is full body. It is a more traditional-Americanized style. (in other words, not the snake-like dragons that you see).
7. Below that one, I have a sun, also with a face on it.
8. On the front of my left bicep I have the Japanese Kanji for older brother. It is actually there for my best friend though, not a blood related brother. I met my best friend back when I first joined the Navy and started the training to do the job I currently do. He has been there for me more times then I can count throughout the years, and I don't think I would be the person I am now without him. He has a matching "younger brother" tattoo interposed on top of the same dragon I have on my left shoulder. I am actually only a few weeks older then him, but he is almost a full foot taller then me (He is about 6'6" or 6'7"), so it's kind of funny that I would be the older brother. He he.
9. On my right forearm I have a dream catcher. Sticking out around the edges of it, are the points of a five sided star, and in the web is the astrological symbol for Taurus. I actually got this tattoo from one of the most vivid dreams I have ever had in my life. I don't really want to go into the details of it, but it was such a powerful dream to me that I just had to get this tattooed on me.
10. On my left forearm I have a burning scroll. On this scroll is the Japanese Kanji for...you guessed it... Taurus. Yet another tattoo to represent the two sides of me.
11. On my left calve I have an Ankh. I do believe in re-incarnation and past lives, and this is there to represent that.
12. Finally on my right calve, I have the upper body of a cloaked wizard, one hand fisted, and the other hand is raised in front of his chest, fingers splayed outward and all together smoking.

I have plans for a full back tattoo as well, so if anyone wants to draw it up for me, I would be eternally grateful!

What I want is sort of two part, on each half of my spine, but blended together. On the right side of my back, I want an anthro white tiger that looks like a Japanese Samurai and a Japanese themed background. Maybe like a bamboo forest with some Japanese architecture. On the left side I want an anthro wolf dressed as a Native American warrior with the appropriate background. I also want them to have clashing weapons. I would say give the wolf a tomahawk (possibly two) and a samurai sword for the tiger. It has a lot of significance to me (even with this brief description). If you feel up to it, drop me a note! Sorry for this little plug of mine, but I have been having a hard time trying to find someone to draw this up for me.

You’re definitely a deviant of many talents, what is your favorite artistic medium?

You know, I have never really considered myself an artist. After seeing so many people in life and on here that are just simply amazing in their fields of art, I feel undeserving of the title. I joined dA about three months ago, and have tried many different mediums (from what is available to me being deployed and all). If you asked me this question a month or two ago, I would have probably said photo manipulation. While I may not be that great at it, I find it extremely fun and love to see the outcome of reality distorted. Now, I would most definitely have to say photography. I have always loved it, but never really been more then a point and shoot kind of guy. I have been told by some before that I have an eye for it though, so I decided, "what the hell, time to jump right in it." I bought a Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 and haven't looked back since. It has become a real passion for me, and what makes it even better, is that it's a passion my wife and I both share! I foresee a lot of photography adventures between the two of us when I return from this deployment.

As a photographer, what advice would you give to someone who has never picked up a camera, but who has an interest in photography?

You know, just like the whole Artist title, I feel funny about being called a photographer. I consider myself an amateur at best. I may have the "photographer’s eye", but I lack the knowledge of photography in general, that makes a photographer truly great. I am learning though. I have read article after article of "pro" photographers who flame people like me -- someone with no real knowledge of photography, yet a DSLR owner. Or even the people who take camera phone or low quality digicam pics -- but to be honest, it doesn't matter to me. My advice... well, if you are really interested in it, ignore the people like that; don't let them get to you. If you have an interest in photography, run with it! Even if all you have is a camera phone...I have seen some simply amazing pictures taken with camera phones. When I take a picture, I take it for no one but me. I don't think about what other people will think of it, or if it will be a popular picture. If you start taking pictures and find it is something you really enjoy, then do some research on it and pursue it. There are plenty of great resources on the web and on dA specifically, that can teach you many, many things on photography - from techniques to the history of photography to the technical aspects involved.

What motivates you in art and life?

My biggest motivation would have to be my wife. Just like my best friend, she has been there for me more times then I could count. She is such a strong, caring, and capable woman, even if she doesn't always realize it herself. She is actually the one who got me back into art as well. She introduced me to dA (I don't think she realized this though). I actually just checked out her journal on here one day and was enthralled with dA in general. I have seen countless talented artists on here, many of them young, only 12-13 years old! It is truly inspiring to see such a wonderful, world wide, group of people come together to form a community like this. I have received so much support and feedback on my artistic endeavors from dA members that it really motivates me to continue with it. In the past I have dabbled into various forms of art, but I was always sort of secretive about it, and didn't share it much. Because of this, I never received any feedback or support on it, so it sort of died out in me. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, my artistic self has been reborn through the goodwill and compassion of the deviantART community.

What are four words that describe you?

hmm... complex, eclectic, open-minded, compassionate

What are four things someone wouldn’t know about you just by looking at you?

I absolutely love children, I’m the kind of guy that when I see some kids playing I really want to go play with them.

I taught myself to read when I was about 4. I have no idea how…my mom told me that she came home from work one day and I was just reading a book out loud. She thought I had just memorized it because it was a book she read to me often, so she pulled one of her Stephen King books off of the shelf and asked me to read some of it to her….and I did!

I actually hate needles… even though I have so many tattoos.

I used to write a lot of poetry…though I don’t have much of it on here.

What are four of your deviations that best describe you?


Unbreakable Bonds


Just Smile


Let Her Fly

and at the moment….

Alone

You’re a very busy deviant! What projects are you involved in?

Well I guess to start out, I am the Contest Commissioner for *The100DProject It was one of the first things I really became involved in on this great site, and you should definitely check it out! I am in the process of getting our first contest together with the help of the other admin and founders of 100D (=bewarecalamity, =SesshysRose, =lostinmyworld, and *IcySleepwalker). Aside from that I am also a member of *SkyAndNatureClub. It’s not exactly a project but it is a really cool club that is worth a look into. Another really awesome club that I am a member of is *here-to-help. To quote from their page:

"This Club is for everyone who has a problem, who needs/wants advice with something, or who needs to get something off of their chest."

It’s another one of the many clubs based on the compassion and caring of our fellow deviants. Probably my biggest “ project ” that keeps me busy though, is this thing I call Life. He he. Seriously though, the Navy keeps me busy, but dA is sort of my home away from home, and I am ever grateful for it.

As a contributing member on deviantART (and one who has impacted so many in such a short period of time), what advice would you give to a deviant who would like to be more involved in the community?

Just do everything that you can to support your fellow deviants. That could be anything really. Try expanding your comments on peoples work and journals. I know I was guilty of the simple “Nice Job” or “Awesome” comments in the past, but I have tried to start leaving more detailed and specific comments. You’d be surprised how much more people appreciate those kind of comments vice the more simple ones. That is probably the biggest thing you can do to become more involved, it makes you stand out more, and people take notice of you. Some other ways could be maybe making a piece of art for a deviant you particularly like… i.e. a stamp, emoticon, css, or whatever your medium is. Personally, I have gifted about 30 or so subscriptions to various deviants in my short time on here. I understand that not everyone can afford to do something like that, but it is just my way of showing my appreciation for everything my watchers and friends on here have given me. (Not to mention, being deployed and all, I’m not really spending my money on much else ) Find a club with similar interests as your own and give it a go, or even start your own! The ways to get involved in this community are literally endless, it’s all just on how you decide to invest your time.

What are your goals on deviantART?

I wouldn’t really say that I have “goals” on deviantART. Instead, I would say “hopes”.
I hope to become a better photographer and artist, but if it doesn’t happen, I will still be happy with who I am.
I hope to be able to make more good, long-term friends on here, but if I don’t, I still have the friends that I have already have now.
I hope to be able to make a difference in people’s lives, whether it is though my art, my actions, or my words. If I can’t…well…life will go on.

What two things do you love the most about deviantART?

First and fore-most, the community! I have traveled the world over, and have never seen such a group of people that are so passionate about something and still leave room in their hearts for their fellow man (or in this case, deviants).
Secondly, the Art obviously! As far as I know, deviantART is the world’s largest art gallery, and it has given me the chance to see some simply superb stuff that I would have had no idea otherwise existed! dA has changed my life and for that I am truly grateful.

What two things would you like to see changed on deviantART?

Well, seeing as how I have only been a member for about 3 months now, I don’t have the knowledge of the history of dA to put it all in comparison, but to put it simply…
Less dArama and more compassion towards your fellow deviant.

Have you heard any juicy gossip about other deviants that you'd like to share?

Well, I’m really not much of a gossiper, but if you enjoy a bit of it yourself, I would recommend checking out =bewarecalamity’s journal. She has a whole section of it dedicated to the Gossip and dArama going on around dA!

What would you like other deviants to know about you?

Just that I am truly honored to be interviewed like this…

Red pill or blue pill?

Red pill…no doubt about it. It’s a metaphor for life. I could take the blue pill and live an average, ordinary, and mundane life, or I could take the red pill and truly experience what life has to offer me. I am a strong believer in a “Carpe Diem” sort of life. I mean what is the point of it all if you don’t live life to the fullest?

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If you would like to suggest a deviant who is an outstanding member of this community for an interview, please note me.

Special feature...

*Tantsui who is constantly noting me with outstanding ideas for questions for this project. He is always there to help out with projects and I appreciate his input.



If you would like to be featured, please note me with ideas or stamps for deviantDIRT. Thanks! I hope you guys enjoyed the second volume of...

deviantDIRT