Taking a more personal look at the people behind the deviantART admin symbols.

How did you first discover deviantART?

Shamefully, I think I stumbled across it on Neopets, when looking at somebody's art or on the forums.. And decided it looked like a pretty cool place and something that I wanted to be a part of!

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

I thought I was an artistic genius and wanted everyone to recognize my brilliance.
Oh man, I wish I was kidding... That was the original reason (hey, I was 12 - cut me some slack here! ) but when I became involved in the community and actually spent some time interacting with other artists I realized what a truly special site it was and learnt to look beyond just what dA could do to me. dA is a really special site and the community here is absolutely why I'm still here, I haven't found anywhere else quite like it, and wouldn't want to.

What is the story behind your username?

I used to make 'digital dolls', the pixel kind, and Pixel-Spotlight was the domain name I was going to buy and use to become world famous. With hindsight, I wish I'd picked something else but I've gotten used to it now.

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

Painting with my grandmother... And arts and crafts of all types with her.
Every time she'd come to stay I'd get a different art book out of the library and we'd spend hours recreating things from them. It's nice because now when I go to visit her, we go to life class together and still enjoy drawing and painting alongside each other.

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

My friend felicefawn introduced me to fashion photography, and I immediately fell in love. I loved the idea of having an instant result, not having to spend hours working over a piece of paper that could be destroyed when I spilt water over it accidentally (this happens a lot... I'm a little clumsy. ) At the time I didn't realize how much preparation goes into a shoot, and how much work is done retouching the photos afterwards, but I'm glad I didn't - if I'd known then I probably wouldn't have gotten involved with it and that would've been a mistake!

Who or what motivates you to continue creating?

Books. I'm a huge reader, I reread a lot of books from my childhood constantly. 'The Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton and 'Redwall' by Brian Jacques in particular.
Also, music. I love getting feelings and building concepts from them, and music is the best catalyst for this.

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

Hmm. Either :thumb182536452: or :thumb182624306: - probably the second. Both were the product of a shoot where nothing seemed to be going right and then, suddenly, there was that shot; that shot where you know that even if you don't have anything else, the day was worth it for that.

What are the duties and title of your role as an admin of deviantART?

I'm the Anthro Gallery Moderator.
I feature Anthro artworks as Daily Deviations and in news articles. I try to involved the community in these things as much as possible, and make the anthro community on dA an enjoyable and fun thing to be part of.
I also try to educate the rest on dA about what anthro is, something which not everyone understands.

What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of your position?

"lulz furry yiff plz". A lot of people are only aware of the negative stereotype of anthro - sex crazed furries wanting to yiff anything with ears and a tail.
Obviously, stereotypes have to come from somewhere, but the large majority of anthro artists are not like that, and it isn't fair for them to be portrayed like this. Fighting against this view and attempting to communicate with and display this to the community at large is a very challenging project that I doubt will ever be fully achieved, but I do my best!

It sounds silly, but I love to hear someone say "thank you" for a DD or a feature of any kind, it really means a lot to me to know that I'm doing something positive for the community, that's the whole reason I'm here. When somebody tells me how happy they were to see their work appreciated, it makes me feel happy and appreciated.

What can you reveal of projects you are working on for deviantART? Personal projects?

I'm not going to be on the CR team for much longer, my year is nearly up, but I'm working furiously at making the most of the time I have left!
projecteducate is going to be huge for anthro, seriously. Be prepared people!
Also working on some exciting new features and projects that I want to leave as a type of legacy!

What would you like to achieve in the long term and short term on dA? In life?

Oh god, if I can just make it from day to day without making too much of a fool of myself that's an achievement!

Seriously though, I really don't know. On dA, I just want to keep involved in the community and keep myself and other people motivated and caring about what's going on here.
In life? I just want to be happy and doing what I love._{And successful and rich...}

What movies did you enjoy most?

Oh dear god. Far too many to list...
Stardust, Star Trek (I'm a huge trekkie, but 6 [the latest] is my absolute favourite), 28 Days Later, I Am Legend, Adam and Howl's Moving Castle are big on my inspiration list...
When I need a cheer up or just a happy film I'll watch Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Holiday, Sweet Home Alabama, Step up 2... I'm a big fan of pointless Rom-Coms.

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

Seriously, I will listen to pretty much anything apart from some metal (mainly death/thrash.. I'm just not a fan).
Currently high on my playlist are Fall Out Boy, Lady GaGa, Joanna Briggs, Eminem, Lifehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly Furtado, Timberland, Jason Derulo, JLS, Knaan, Alexandra Burke, Pendulum, Linkin Park, Counting Crows, Basshunter, Backstreet Boys, Taylor Swift, The Fray, Flo Rida, Robbie Williams, T-Pain, Aerosmith, Michael Buble, Beyonce, The Scene Aesthetic, Dashboard Confessionals, Andy Williams, 3OH!3, Italobrothers.... Like I said, I listen to literally anything... All mashed up together.

Which books could you just not put down?

I reread 'World War Z' by Max Brooks about once every month or two - I'm a big one for rereading books.
I also love (and identify) with Jane Austin's 'Emma'. And oh dear god, 'The Painted Man' by by Peter V Brett is one of the best books I've ever read.
Garth Nix I adore, his Abhorsen books are right up there with my all time favourites.
I'm also a James Patterson fan, big fan of Alex Cross and I love 'Sundays at Tiffany's' by him and Gabrielle Charbonnet.

What foods can you never seem to resist? Drinks?

I've recently discovered cheese with picked onion in it... I lovelovelove it.
Swedish Fish are my big weakness, as is Mountain Dew - both of which you can't get here in the UK!

What are your pet peeves on dA and in general?

Unnecessary ignorance and generalizations. In life and online.

I also dislike people who believe that being more popular, or a better artist makes them a better person and so treat others poorly, I really can't stomach that.

Something random about yourself that you wish to share?

kinipelahh, isthisthingstillon and I are secretly super heroes. We're called the PANDAVANDALS. And we're freaking awesome.

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

Don't allow yourself to feel inferior because you're not as good as other artists - there will always be someone better than you but if you work hard you can always be as good as you aspire to be.
Similarly, don't believe that you have to mimic your favourite artists in every way to be successful or "good". Just because that incredible artist uses a very specific type of paper, pencils or paints doesn't mean you have to have them; just because that photographer you worship uses a specific camera or lens doesn't mean you have to - and it doesn't mean it will make your art as good as theirs, and an obsession like this can hold you back.. This is something I still struggle to remember myself.

What does ART mean to you?

Art is anything which provokes a feeling or emotion. Doesn't matter what kind and it doesn't matter what form the art is in.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

I love y'all!
Seriously though, you - yes you, reading this - are the reason I'm here. Thank you.

Thank you Pixel-Spotlight for your dedication to the community!

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