Post by $Visigoth on Jun 6, 2006 21:05:04 GMT
by Whitney
SolidSnakeDesigns: So let's start from the beginning... how did you find SSD?
Visigoth: Well, I work on as an administrator at Digital Inflection, so naturally the SSD name came up from time to time. I knew all about the site, but never had actually seen it, mostly because I had no idea what server you were hiding on. Then one day, someone posted a link to some thread on the site, and I followed like the little sheep I am. I browsed around, and decided I'd like some feedback on one of my images, so I signed up!
SSD:So I take it you're a designer?
V:You could say that.
SSD:What type of art do you do?
V:Well I started with the same as most other forum-kiddies, with signatures and other various "filter images" to learn the in's and out's of Photoshop. I got pretty good, it was actually how I got my first job on DI. Eventually, I came across some terraspace work and fell in love. Not knowing much about creating the "terra-" part, I used many stock Terragen landscapes. But one day, I decided some weren't quite fitting my needs, so I got the program myself, and spent the next couple of months there. Lately, though, I've turned to photography and even a little more pure space work, though you probably won't see any of that.
SSD: What got you interested in becoming the interview moderator?
V: Good question, actually. I think it was just more of the fact that I was tired of holding positions attained through graphics, and I wanted something to sort of expand my horizons in an administrative sense. It didn't hurt that it gave me a chance to interview one of my favorite Terragen artists, Tigaer, either. I was also tired of people across the 'net using pathetic degenerations of the english language, and wanted to do something to keep it alive.
SSD: Do you feel that you've been able to learn from the "higher up" artists (such as Tigaer) that you've interviewed?
V: Most definitely. Even if its not always a formal interview, and you're just chatting with them via chatrooms or something else, its always beneficial to get that insight into the minds of those we are inspired by. It's almost like Bernard of Chartres said way back when: "We're standing on the shoulders of giants".
SSD: Do you prefer digital or traditional art?
V: I have to say I'm partial to digital, but only because that's where I have my roots. Many of my friends began with traditional media, and I'm totally in love with it, but my heart lies with my computer. There's just something about being able to use information the world over to bring your vision to life. I know that many of my ideas wouldn't have been possible, but as I said earlier, I'm in a photo stint right now, mostly because I've had a huge, unexplained influx of ideas. So I love 'em both, though digital is my homeboy.
SSD: How long do you plan to continue your art career?
V: As long as I can, actually. Eventually, I can imagine my music career monopolizing my day-to-day, but I can't imagine a time where I don't have some miscellaneous files laying around I'm working on, or I'm not snapping the occasional photo.
SSD: Are you hoping to take your art to a higher level (commissions, job, etc)?
V: Well, wouldn't that be nice? I just sit around and draw things, and people buy them? I don't really think I have the talent or originality to be a professional artist, though. It really takes something to make you stand apart, and even just with what I do (Terragen, etc), there's next to no real demand for it. I wouldn't mind selling the occasional piece in a local art shop or something, though.
SSD: This is something I’ve always wondered: just where did you get the name Visigoth?
V: Haha, I knew this was coming. One night, my dad was watching the History Channel and there was a show about the Roman Empire on at the time, and the word "visigoth" was mentioned once or twice. My curious brain did some research, and I liked what I found. The Visigoths were one of two ancient Germanic tribes under the heading "goth", the other being the Ostrogoths. They had some play in the fall of the Empire, and were a dominant force for the next two hundred years. Liking what I saw, I enlisted a new AIM Screenname, Visigoth Angel. As for the latter, I feel its too personal even for this. But since I began my forum use, I've shortened it to Visigoth, and even more commonly, Visi.
SSD: Do you have any future goals revolving around SSD?
V: Other than the classic "Overthrow Oliver and run the place myself" idea? Not really. I can't say I know much about the forum's past, but I like where its at and where its going. I can't see anything that I could have a major impact on at this point, but who knows what the future holds?
SSD: Do you have any tips you’d like to share with new artists just beginning their career?
V: I think that a huge problem for beginning artists is the concept of everything being so new. They open Photoshop for the first time, and are amazed at all the menus, or they get a new camera and all the dials send their heads spinning. As a result, they lose their focus. Which is why I think that for fresh faces, Alyn Hunter's words are best: "See the art, not the tool"
SSD: Well that about wraps this up. Thanks for letting me interview you.
V: Awesome, thanks for doing it!
