Welcome to the second issue (better late than never) of the
deviantART STAFF INTERVIEW/FEATURE
This month we speak with $chix0r
_{deviantART Prints Manager, member since 2003, subscribed till hell freezes over, and the nicest, kindest, friendliest narcotic!}



If you have read some of my previous interviews, you surely noticed I'm not a professional journalist, so I pretend them to become a friendly conversation and not a too serious, rigid talkshow.

All in all, I am trying to educate myself, and also our readers, about DA staff and administrators Some of us think about them as almighty Gods and are afraid of even sending them a note trying to contact them. Some of us think they are only nicknames on a screen and don't even try to get to know more, as long as the place works smoothly. Some of us think they're not really people but quantic alien computers with human shape, plotting an evil plan to rule the World...

So, in a (lame) try to clear things a bit, I asked some staff members to answer a few questions, in order to let us get to know them a bit better. You may think that, being a Gallery Director (volunteer staff), I would have no shame into contacting them, but I'm shy by nature, so nyah. xD;;

The very first one giving me some time for a pretty friendly interview, was $realitysquared, but today our guest is the lovely, sexy and gold-hearted $chix0r, the visible head of deviantART Prints. She was also heading the MN@ team not so long ago, so let's say she's an artist, and a manager of many talents




Personal Information:


Well, first of all, I'd like to tell you how grateful I feel, and give you my thanks again because I'm really happy to have the chance to interview you. As a staff member, with a huge responsibility on your shoulders, I can only imagine how much pending work you have, and how little free time you have to spare, so extra kudos to you for the opportunity. Firstly, please tell us a bit about yourself. What's your full name and how old are you?
My name is Fiona, and I'm turning 36 on July 4th!


Wow, happy birthday in advance, Fiona! I bet you'll get some nice fireworks! Hey, do you possess any formal artistic training?
Many, many moons ago, whilst still at high school, I did Higher Art, and was actually accepted into a few colleges. This was before I even knew that you could do anything arty on a computer of course. I've learned everything I know about digital art thanks to the community here at deviantART.


Tell us, Fiona... Some of us are curious about the meaning of your nick, even when you have explained it a few times. Again, why did you choose "chix0r"?
Mainly due to the fact that "Angelic" was already taken (and everyone know's I am sweet, innocent and angelic!!) I used to hang on IRC a lot at the time I joined dA and the "chix0r" nick seemed appropriate, as I did have a fair amount of geek status back in the day.


Do you have a personal web site, out of deviantART?
Yup, currently in redesign, you can find it on purenarcotic.com.




Your Inspiration as an artist:


To get to know you better, let's explore your artistic side: when did you first become interested in art?
I've been interested in art for as long as I can remember. I was quite a creative child and loved to draw and paint. I grew interested in digital art around 6 yrs ago when I wanted to make my own wallpapers.


Just 6 years ago? Then, where do you get your inspiration for those digital (and other) works?
Most of my inspiration comes from mood swings and music. The two go hand in hand I have also found a lot of inspiration from other artists in the community, or a piece of stock which I view and get caught up in ideas for a design. I don't really have much time to do traditional type work anymore other than doodling whilst on the phone!


I will keep it in mind if I get to call you someday! I will try to give you some inspiration! But, in case I fail, what artist do you look up to?
One of my favourite artists is *MarkWilkinson. As a teen I used to try to copy his jester character and drooled over all the album art that he did, particularly his Marillion commissions. I've been lucky enough to get to know him a bit through my job with dA. He's an amazingly talented guy, but he's also extremely humble about his talent. I like that despite people like me fangirling out over him, he can remain very down to earth and cool.


When did you personally felt you were validated as an artist, my dear Fiona?
I've only recently began to feel confident about my work. Getting positive feedback from two of my inspirations - *MarkWilkinson and ~LasseHoile was definately something which gave me a grin that didn't fade for days, and helped me gain confidence to keep going.


To keep going, yes. But, then, what do you do when you come across an "art block?"
I don't do anything. I only create when I feel the need, or when I have a commission. Most of the commissioned work I get is artwork for bands, and if I'm struggling to get going, I'll focus on their music for a bit - something usually falls into place.


Where are you planning on going in the future with your art?
I'd like to learn how to do vector work in illustrator, but I'm also eager to learn more about photography so I can create more personal pieces using my own stock.




About Media:


Of the different mediums of art that you have tried, what is your favorite and why?
I love digital art, particularly photomanipulation. I like the fact that I can take something that someone else made and turn it into something completely different.


Also, what medium haven't you tried that you'd like to experiment with?
I'd like to try body painting!!


Hehe, if you someday need a model to paint on, please drop me a call Then, which media do you like the least?
I can't really think of any!


Now, Fiona, please share with us your favorite piece from your gallery, and explain why you favor it.



"Once" - inspired by the blackfield song of the same name. I like it so much because it came out exactly as I intended it to and looks awesome in print on my wall.


Evil as I am, I challenge you to try something new. If you have the time, what might you try?
If I had time, I'd try some animation or flash - those look like fun.




Concerning your work being the Prints Manager:


Being an experienced staff member right now, do you like how deviantART has evolved in the past years? What did you like the most, and what do you think we could have done better?
I think deviantART is better than ever - and I get notes and emails from deviants on a daily basis to confirm this. We're constantly listening to the community and implementing ideas which come directly from deviants. For me, the best part is hearing all the stories from people who have gained employment, met a lover or a best friend through the community and had life changing experiences. These are the moments that give me goosebumps. I think we can always do better - and that's what keeps us all going.


When we mention Prints, many people get to think that's only an automatic online service not really needing maintenance... In a few lines, to let our members understand it better, what does the Prints Manager do, exactly?
Amongst many things, I have the pleasure of working alongside $fangedfem, $spinegrinder and $godofodd -the guys who provide Customer Service and Quality Control for Prints. I try to make sure that we're providing the best quality of service to both our artistic community as well as the people who buy your prints. If you are interested, I wrote a journal once all about a typical day for me here.


We know you were also heading the MN@ not so long ago. How was your experience there? Why to leave it? Do you miss it already?
I loved being in MN@ - I was a volunteer with the team before I became Manager and it's something I look back on very fondly. I had been on the team for 3 yrs and my other work commitments with retail customer service and prints meant that I really did need to review my role there. The time was right for me to move on and despite feeling like I was giving up one of my kids for adoption, I knew that I made the right decision. I don't really miss it that much because I am still in contact with the team, and I am focussing so much on other projects now.


Keeping you busy, I bet! So, multi-task as you are, what do you do in an average day? We're curious about your schedule and how do you do your work (at home, at an office....)
WIf you read the link I gave earlier, you'll get a feel for a typical day. I do work at home and I have teenagers who live with me ( someone said they were related to me..!) but I've been doing it for 3 yrs now and can't really imagine going back to an office environment. I'd miss the loud music for starters!


With all your work managing the prints department, do you find it hard balancing your official dA work with simply browsing the site and creating your own artwork?
My official work always takes priority - but I am lucky enough to work in a department where we do take time out to regularly look for artists and deviations to promote, so I think it's balanced. I do sometimes wish I had more time to create my own artwork but having minimal time forces me to be focussed and not just churn out random works here and there for the sake of it.




DeviantART as a Community:


What did you do before your DA life, Was it art related? Computer related? Did it involve pasties, thongs and 4inch pumps?
Hahaha. Well -- I've got a BA in Community Development. Before deviantART, I worked in Social Work Project Management - mainly for sexual health/criminal justice services. It did involve thongs and different types of pumps but they are all covered under client confidentiality!


Wow, it seems your life has been interesting since the very first minute! So, if had such a cool job, when did you first become aware of deviantArt?
I remember being on IRC and noticing a few people linking to it for winamp skins and wallpapers.


How has DeviantART aided you in developing your artistic talent since you joined?
By engaging with other artists, and asking them how they made specific pieces - I was able to then go away and put my own spin on things. I've also made very many friends in the community, and have enjoyed collaborating with people who are not afraid of sharing their own tricks and tips.


And as a person?
I've developed a greater appreciation for art in general, and learned a lot about other countries and customs around the world. I've also learned that people find my accent very amusing!


Indeed, Fiona, indeed What do you enjoy most about being a member here?
The fact that everyday is completely different and that we regularely demonstrate just how strong our community is by helping out others in times of need.


And about being a staff member?
I love the fact that we can help other people in the community make their dreams come true by raising awareness of contests or events in our journals, or by promoting their artwork. I'm very humbled at times by the notes I receive from people who've been featured or who've won a contest, for example.


As you know, I'm the Anthro Gallery Director, so I can't help to ask you a bit about it, and what do you think about our little corner of deviantART. So, what do you know about the Anthro Gallery or Anthro Art? You can also feature Daily Deviations, so do you like this kind of art enough to promote it?
I'll be honest here and say that this is probably the gallery that I spend least time in! Maybe you can help me learn more and show me the way


Could you give us your thoughts on how the anthro community is progressing? Its always interesting to get an outside opinion.
For me, I think the anthro community is currently very strong but like all other sub genres within the community, will go through phases of ups and downs. I like the way that over the past few months there's been more features in the community that try to break down the negative stereoptypes of anthro art - the Gallery Directors have a lot of respect within the community too so that's a great position to be in.


What would you like to see changed in order to improve the Anthropomorphic Art Community?
I wish the lil kids would stop making furrysex channels on dAmn!
Lol





Community Questions:
_{(asked by the anthro and non anthro community)}


If you could bring one celebrity alive or dead to dA and have them be active memebers of the community who would it be and why?
Jim Morrison. Boy oh boy would I be his number 1 fangirl


If you had one wish, what would it be and why?
I'd wish that everyone in the world had a roof over their head at night, and access to affordable health care.


You're just a sweety pie Do you sing in the shower?
Depends if I am in there alone or not!


If you could expand your forms of artistic expression into any new area, which would it be?
I'd like to hang with some of the big names in graffiti and take part in large scale tagging.

Some members keep hearing what the deviants would like to see the staff and site do differently, what i want to know is what she as a staff member would like to see the deviants do differently?
I'd like deviants to take time to read, digest and then form their own opinions on things before getting caught up in drama. It worries me at times that people see the word "petition" and automatically sign it before even considering what they are putting their name to.


After so many jokes by $lolly, how tall are you really?
Oh man, I am tall enough to kick his ass without a step ladder for sure!! I'm actually 5'6". Not short in the slightest!


Describe your perfect morning
I can't, this is PG rated, right?


Oh, err..... Then... Would you like to get in to a pudding wrestling match with for charity? (Blame $FallenRox for this question!)
Only if $FallenRox joins me!




Last Thoughts:


Well, Fiona, now that we're close to the end, have you any advice for our members to enjoy the deviantART experience even more?
Make the most of your time - don't just browse art, join a chatroom, hang in the forums, get to know the people behind the art and your world will be a brighter place.


You know this interview will get a lot of exposure: What other wisdom would you like to impart to our readers?
Listen to Porcupine Tree!


Aaaaand before we end this nice interview I have enjoyed a lot, do you have any other comments you would like to share?
Not for now, but I welcome anyone to contact me vie note if they would like to know anything else. I may not answer straight away, but I will do eventually. Thank you for asking me to take part in your series of interviews!
My pleassure, hon


~

Share the ,
an article you like!



...

PS: asked: thongs or bikini briefs?
Depends on where she's taking me!!


PS2: 'If the answer was 32 1/2 with a sprinkling of parsnips and a giant set of oil pastels, what is your question?'
What did $lolly offer @shutdown for a pair of his Mother's pants?