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.

deviantDIRT Interviews v. 3: shelldevil *SPECIAL EDITION: International Women's Week*



Many of us have either met or viewed `shelldevil's work. Especially in the stock community, she's had a huge impact on dA. `shelldevil is a mom, a sister, a friend, and just a wonderful woman. Personally, I've admired her ever since I met her. She's a very strong role model in this community and she continues to help feature unknown artists as well as provide resources for all of us.

Good day Myshelle, to start off the interview why don’t you share with us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Where are you now? Where are you going?

Ok, Well, Im a 24 year old mother from Tasmania, Australia, and I'm an Australian aboriginal Ive lived here most of my life, except from a year where I lived in Western Australia with my parents and done the "travel around aus" thing. I got married, had a child and was widowed in the space of 3 months, so I like to think of myself as a strong person who can pick up the pieces no matter what. I live in a smallish house that seems to get smaller but hopefully one day in the years to come I'll have bought a place to call my own. I have 3 beautiful daughters, Lillian, Chelsea and Mykaylah and recently got engaged to my wonderful partner Nic. I guess that covers where I'm from and were I am now As to where I'm going, well I don't like to make plans too far ahead into the future, as the future has a nasty habit of biting me on the backside and thawting any plans I make. I tend to live a week at a time

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

Hmm good question! I am me. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter. A widow, a future wife and a woman. I think I'm still on the road of figuring out exactly who I am, and I'm not sure its something anyone can ever fully answer, because every time something big impacts your life, who you are changes, and you grow somewhat.

What (or who) is your most important person, possession, and memory in your life?

Person would have to be people. My partner, my children and my sister. If any one of them was to leave Id be deeply saddened. Possession, hmm well the pc I guess! Without it I wouldn't be here Memory, I have many, some wonderful and some heart wrenching but they all make me me and I don't think there [is] a single one that would top the list. Tho the birth of my girls would definitely be up there

What is love to you?

Love is a complete and devoted trust and bonding. Love is that little thing that starts in the pit of your stomach and spreads warm fuzzies throughout your body. It makes you laugh and smile in the good times, and cry in the bad.

What do you do outside of dA? What is a typical day for you?

Theres such a thing as a typical day? Well usually mornings are a rush, kids need to be fed, dressed, lunches packed. They like to move slow to stress mummy out! Then we walk Lilly to school and head back home. Usually ill grab an hour or so on and off online throughout the morning while putting washing thru the machine, doing dishes and making an attempt to clean the house. An attempt because no sooner have i put the toys away, the kids come along and pull them out again By that stage its getting close to lunch so that gets sorted, the kids have their food and Ill park myself at the kitchen table to do some sewing/painting/craft of some description until about 2 in the afternoon. Then its back on foot to go pick Lilly up from school and home again. Afternoons are spent playing about with the tykes and a little more online time, then its off to make a start on tea (dinner for all you non aus folks) After dinner its bath time, teeth brushing time and bedtime and I can finally have a rest. Ill sometimes put in another hour sewing, but if im not in the mood for that its to the pc. Im normally doing a bazzilion things at once online of a night. all the replying to notes/journals/comments, writing up features, sorting out my website, fixing posts on my local free cycle (I'm the owner for my area and there [is] usually 4 or 5 emails to sort out there) check emails, then wind down in chat with my DA pals, play a level of pharaoh or Diablo or Starcraft until about 10 or 11 when I have to wake Nic up for night shift. He goes to work, I drag myself to bed and then the cycle starts all over again 2 days a week are extra busy because Chelsea has early learning class in the afternoon. Weekends are a lot more slower and relaxed. A lot of vegging and mooching about, Saturdays we go for a drive somewhere

What are four words that describe you?

Loud, insane, comical, lovable!

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

Hmm... I have size 11-12 feet! I'm not as mean as I look. Ive been widowed. um... er.. I'm addicted to patterns

What are four of your deviations that best describe you?



What brought you to become an artist and stock artist? What is your favourite way to express yourself artistically?

Ive always been creative for as long as I can remember. One of my report cards from primary school had "a special mention is to be made about Myshelle's foil turtle" I forget the rest, but it made me proud And when I was younger I was always making new outfits for barbie with mums stockings. I don't think she was too happy about that My sister Hellen introduced me to the world of stock and DA, and I love making costumes, one goes in hand with the other and WALLAH insta stocker My art varies, I dabble into everything from digital painting to manipulation, traditional aboriginal art, textiles, had a go at fractals and even tried sculpture, tho none of it very good . Apart from stock, I don't have a specific genre I just have a go at everything. Being a stocker its easy to express yourself. You show your emotions in your pictures. Its like making a movie in still frames.

What motivates you in art and life?

Hmm, well my family and friends motivate me greatly. They push me to be the best I can be, I guess that's it

Since it is International Women’s Week on dA, do you see any problems with today’s society online and offline that women have to face?

I think the one that personally touches me is the drive for women to be thinner, slimmer, prettier. It really pisses me off that people can have these ideals of how a woman should look. I mean come on if we all looked the same it would be pretty boring. I don't like the way media push it, and media definitely has an influence on people. You see it both on and offline. Online the "holy cow your fat" comments to the offline "Christ lose some weight" being yelled out a car window. So some of us carry a few spare tyres about, big deal.

As a female stock artist who is constantly in the limelight here on dA, what would you like to personally change?

Oh I wouldn't say in the limelight On DA? Hmm more acceptance and more community involvement. After all this is a community and just like one in real life, you need to get involved in it to see the full effect and love. More love people!

What advice would you give a deviant who would like to begin submitting stock, but is self conscious on how he or she will be received by the community?

Just do it Nike! (oh shit don't sue me!) Firstly remember that it doesn't matter what you look like, because somewhere someone might possibly have a use for what you want to submit. The stock community on a whole is a wonderful place. A great bunch of friendly people who are always willing to offer advice and an ear I'd suggest getting yourself known (not in a "popular" way) but with fellow stockers. Join in the forums, pop into chat. These guys are my rocks and if you show them some love they will be yours as well

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

Quite a few! I work closely with my sister :helly7307-stock: at *one-stop-stock There [is] always something going on over there. Promotion, pimpage, contests, articles. I'm involved with the 100D project. International Women's Week as well. I'm about to start a collaboration with some mates for a .. well I cant say that ones a secret There [is] always a feature here and there, news articles to be done. I support a lot of contests as well. And also I'm hoping to get Stock for a cause back up and running again this year, bigger and better then ever. Offline I'm finding out about a project that involves giving new life to old rejected dolls, scrubbing them up, making some outfits for them and shipping them to various charities across the nation, and even internationally! Hopefully I can drum up some support for this one. Theres a few more things I have in the waterworks at the moment, mainly for the stock community but some for everyone, but as above they are secrets at the moment as well

As a contributing member on deviantART (and one who has influenced and inspired so many artists of so many mediums), what advice would you give to a deviant who would like to be more involved in the community?

The first three things that come to mind are forums, chat and features. Forums for your particular gallery are a great way to interact within your own genre, meet people who are on the same wavelength and offer some advice if you can give it. Chat! Pop into a chat room (you can always come visit me at #ARSTOCK ) Alot of events and projects start from simple conversations in chat. So get in there, have a blast and share your thoughts. Features give you the opportunity to go outside your genre and go wild. And featuring people makes them happy, which in turn makes you happy. Comments are important too, if you can leave a constructive comment do it! If you can join in a project or offer your time for something do it. Its a rewarding experience for yourself and others

What are your goals on deviantART?

After pondering over this question for a good 20 minutes, I still don't have a hard and fast answer. Obviously to get better at stock, and create stock people will find useful. Id love to see a little ^ one day, but on the same hand I'm not overly fussed it that doesn't eventuate either. I'm just happy doing what I do and helping where I can.

What two things do you love the most about deviantART?

The friends and the spirit. Funny that I don't say art being an art site, but i see DA as much much more then that. The friendships I have made here will last a lifetime. And the way people come together, bring each other hope, help others get stronger, better, support in their hour of need. We only need to look at the way we all came together for A weekend to end breast cancer to see exactly how much hope and spirit this community has and to see what together as one we are all capable of! United we stand In all seriousness tho, what other site of this size would you see so many people, that have never even met one another band together and rise to bring awareness and strive to find an answer. Its truly amazing.

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

I want the move to scraps button back! Seriously this one irks me to no end! I know its sounds small and trivial but I was lost when it left.
Aside from that more projects More things for everyone on any level to get involved in. Gee I'm easily pleased

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

Oh I know much gossip But i think that's best left for a more private convo

What would you like other deviants to know about you?

Oh I think they already know too much! Anymore and Ill have to start assassinating people

Nah if people want to know anything about me, in general or in regards to anything I've wrote here then they can note me I don't bite hard and I don't mind answering any question. Easy or hard, after all sharing is growing too I'm a very open person and nothing is taboo so really its a free for all

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Next time on deviantDIRT: =aksdareflection
Please note me if you would like to nominate anyone to be interviewed for deviantDIRT!

Until next time,

deviantDIRT