the-photographicpoet

How did you first discover deviantART?

I was speaking to someone I found through a different writing website, and they suggested I sign up for deviantArt which was over 5 years ago now. So glad she did!

What was it about dA that made you want to stay?

The community, because no matter how much drama there is going on or the politics people bring, I love the fact that we're all in this together and we all have similar goals. I love the fact that people will bend over backwards to help you, and there are so many rewards both personally and artistically so I just can't ever bring myself to be away from deviantArt. I've also met some wonderful people over the years, some of which are really amazing friends and bigger inspirations.

What is the story behind your username?

Someone commented my poetry once and they said something like, "you actually create photographic memories and images with your writing" which at the time really boosted my confidence and made me want to be more mature with my writing, so I changed my deviantArt account to have the name. It's a constant reminder of that comment and always keeps me going.

What do you remember of your childhood in regards to art?

I could never draw! I'm the only person in my family who can't draw and this frustrated me, but then I found a way with words. I could write poems in two minutes, obviously they aren't what they're like now but it was a release for me. I've been using words to express how I feel for as long as I can remember. I think they're important in life, not just for writing.

Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?

I'm not sure really, maybe my parents? They've always encouraged me to say how I feel or write it down, which is where most of my art comes from but I think it's just down to personal pleasure and release.

Who or what motivates you to continue creating?

My heart, and everyone who is in it. Everything I write is about a memory, or based upon a memory that I have with an individual or an emotion and these are never ending, so I'm always writing.

Of your own work, which has the most meaning to you and why?

Oh gosh, this questions hard! I have two, but I think the one right now would be :thumb179045196: because of all the changes in my life throughout 2010. My whole would has changed, it's completely flipped around with everything going right and although this was written about my baby brother, it applies to everything that's happened this year. All the little things have amounted to huge, and it's a tribute to everything I've been through – good and bad.

Do you have any personal goals in relation to deviantART?

Yes, some trivial and some big. On a personal level on deviantArt, I want my work to reach many, and have my own book published which I'm working on. I also love getting constructive feedback on my work and being able to continue growing with my writing skills. On deviantArt, I'd like to support literature and the writer's here more. I'm already involved in three literature groups, with my own, LitResources just getting on it's feet and through this I hope to give more to the community, but I still feel like I'm not doing enough and I'm itching to find my real niche.

Are you working on any projects or wish to promote some projects?

I have lots of projects stored but I'm keeping them secret for LitResources but there will be lots of focusing on writer's and the literature community, but I'm currently doing the A,B,C's of Literature, which is now at F but I've recently posted the  Special Edition
Also I'd like to promote ATrue's project, Literature Community Fundraiser as it's a wonderful scheme designed to support literature groups and projects. Also LadyLincoln's Ladies of Lit, WorldWar-Tori's LitBits IV and last but not least pullingcandy's A,B,C's of Horror

Which movies did you enjoy most?

That's not a fair question! I've watched so many films but I think my favourites have to be Pretty Woman, The Hills Have Eyes, The Swing Kids, Remember Me, Finding Nemo, The Krays, Resevoir Dogs, A Bridge Too Far, Queen of the Damned, Silence of the Lambs, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, We Were Soldiers and of course, Disney films!
I also like Twilight, and although this may mean I lose some cool points, I don't care!

What type of music do you listen to? Specific groups/artists?

Anything and everything, apart from classical/opera. My favourite bands are One Republic, Muse, Silversun Pickups, The Script and I also like Westlife whilst my favourite artists are Cheryl Cole, Kristian Leontiou, Marie Digby, Bruno Mars, Diana Vickers. I'm addicted to Papa Roach at the moment though

Which books could you just not put down?

Nicci French's Killing Me Softly, all of Josephine Cox's books are fantastic and also Wuthering Heights. The Granta Book of Reportage is a fascinating, if a bit gruesome, novel and also the Twilight books – I wanted to find out what happened at the end!

What foods can you just never seem to resist? Drinks?

Chicken. I love chicken dinners, whether it be Sunday roasts, a chicken salad, chicken pasta. Also ice-cream and apples, though not together. Drinks… I love a cup of tea. I think I drink about 6 cups a day, sometimes more haha and lemonade too is my biggest weakness.

What are your pet peeves on dA and in general?

In general, I have many. People walking slow, people who chew with their mouth open, people who eat noisily, and people who make really loud noises for no reason. On deviantArt, people who do things for personal gain, which I know we're all guilty of but when things are done purely for pageviews, purely for points, purely for the attention… I don't like it. Also when people flame other people's art work with "this is not good" because I don't see how that benefits anybody. If you don't like a piece, fair enough but have the decency to act about it with respect and dignity.

Something random about yourself you wish to share?

I have a scar on my foot from when I stood on glass, and now I never walk anywhere with something on my feet, a real challenge when I went to South Korea!

What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art?

Don't ever stop believing in yourself, and don't ever put limits on your creativity. So what if someone doesn't like it, because I can bet that loads of people do. The thing to remember is that art is your key to creativity, your way of expressing who you are and no one can take that away from you apart from you, so just be yourself, and this goes for every day things, not just art.

What does Art mean to you?

It's not my whole life, but it is who I am. It's my shoulder to cry on, and my way of being someone with no restraints. It's like taking a bath.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

Thank you so much for this opportunity PurpelBlur! I really enjoyed this interview, and also the deviantArt community. I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for all of you.

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A list of previous Devious Minds can be found in a widget on my page.

If you have a recommendation of someone you think I should interview for this series please send me a note with a subject of "DM Rec"