Artist Interview #1: =vacuumslayer by *Le-Visage



If you haven't come across Beth aka =vacuumslayer yet on dA, then you are missing out. Not only is she one of the slickest and most original photomanipulation artists around, but also a very committed community member, who takes the time to comment on other artist's work as often as she can and feature their work in her journals too.

Her style is particularly unique, elegant, eye catching, extremely well constructed and totally original. So much so, that to date, she has received three Daily Deviations and been featured in Layer's Magazine.

The visage is a favourite subject for her and her 'faces' all carry her own particular and original signature style. So, with no further ado, on with the interview:

1. So, what bought you to deviantART, how did you find the community?

I used to have my own graphics forum, where folks of any skill level could talk about digital design and photography. If I remember correctly, I think an online friend of mine pointed me to the site. I joined in 2005, but didn't begin uploading art until Dec. 2006.

2. What are your personal artistic motivations?

I'm motivated by the notion of doing stuff that's completely original. I'm constantly trying new things. I think it's lazy to do variations on the same thing over and over and OVER again.

I'm so very motivated by color. To me, a good sense of color is of the upmost importance. If you don't have a good sense of color, and how colors work with other colors, it doesn't matter how good the work is, it just won't resonate.

3. What are your favourite tools of the trade?

Adobe Photoshop CS, Wacom Graphire Tablet.

4. What is your working methodology (e.g. how do you approach a new piece of work)?

I look at art, stock, sometimes even things like commercials...can cause inspiration to strike. Something will catch my eye. I'll try to construct a piece in my head, using a great piece of stock or a great color combination as a jumping off point.

5. What/who are your sources of inspiration both on and off deviantART?

Too many to name, but I'm a total fangirl of *artandghosts, =Foxfires, *lolitaAgogo, *anubis and *Firemane. I'm actually pretty much a fangirl of the whole of dA. I'm blown away--and frequently humbled by--the immense talent I see on this site.

I'm also a HUGE stock whore. I could not put into words how inspired I am by the amazing stock photography on this site.

6. How excited were you to be featured in Layers Magazine and what difference has it made to you?

I was embarrassingly excited. It was immensely gratifying. Frankly, I was stunned a "professional" outlet like Layers was impressed enough with my work to publish it, especially considering that everything I know about Photoshop and digital design is self-taught, and that I only begin making digital art in earnest in late 2006. I am not a professional graphic designer. So anyway, it was just a thrill.

7. What did receiving your Daily Deviations mean to you?

Considering the level of talent I see displayed on this site every day, it was ridiculously flattering. I think I said for all three that my "day was made," but it was really more like a month! I'm just thrilled my work resonates with some folks.

8. What are your artistic goals and plans for the future?

I'd like to transition a bit more into straight-up digital painting. I'd also like to perfect my manipulations. I'd like to get to where I feel very very confident about both my more cartoonish, illustration-like works and my more traditional manipulations.

I may also delve back into doing some more abstract mixed media stuff.

9. What advice do you have for other manipulation artists?

For crying out loud, be creative. It doesn't matter if something's aesthetically pleasing if it's been done a billion times before.

Work hard. I often feel like some of dA's photomanipulators feel like manipulation is the "art" for people who aren't artists. WRONG. GOOD photomanipulation takes an AMAZING amount of work. I put HOURS AND HOURS into all my works. (And often feel insecure about them after uploading them!) I sweat the details. So sweat the details. And experiment, experiment, experiment. If you try hard enough, you might get things just right.

=vacuumslayer's Personal Picks


I would like to thank =vacuumslayer for taking the time to be interviewed and choosing her own favourite deviations for us.

If you have a suggestion for an artist interview, and one who specialises in the portrayal of the face, then please contact us.