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Welcome back to another edition of devInterviews!

This particular devInterview was done by pullingcandy .

When I signed up for devInterviews , I knew I would want to take a few moments to hopefully ask a few of my very favorite and creative, as well as supportive and outstanding horror/macabre artists a few questions about their work, what they do, and what they hope is coming to them in the future. TerraRhapsody was exceptional to work with, and for that I thank her for taking a moment of her time to answer a few things for me to share with all of you.

When I first started exploring the darker side of deviantART, I stumbled across her work while researching for myself, and fell instantly in love with her style of special effects. Soon after, I saw her dedicated attempt at supporting deviants through comments; at the time I am writing this she has amassed 71,237. It wasn't until later that I realized she was also a Message Network Operator for the site. In the four years she has been here, she has worked tirelessly, it would seem, to clean up the site and give a thumbs up to everybody she comes across.

Juggling real life work as a geologist in training, her duties to deviantART, photography, jewelry making and her support through comments must be tough, but somehow she's managed to keep it all under control and even took the time to answer sixteen questions that I came up with.

1) What prompted you to start exploring horror/macabre photography?

When i joined deviantART, i found EveryNextDream as well as a few other deviants with some kick-ass horror photography and make up. I felt so inspired by a number of artists and decided to try it out myself

2) And what about special effects? What got you started on that?

Horror photography was pretty much hand in hand with the special effects. I didn't know anyone that could dp SFX make up, so I started exploring ways to make fake blood (since it wasn't Halloween at the time). I've always been a fan of gore in movies and how it looks so real, so I decided to try it out myself on a low level. My first horror piece called 'Anarchy' was my first real concept and application of SFX make up, and it went on from there!

Mature Content

3) You're a message network operator. What does that entail?

MNs are basically the operators for the chatrooms and forums, so we spend our time helping and moderating chatrooms, helping deviants with dA problems in #help and #MNAdmin . We lock threads that are out of place in the forums and approving quotes for dAmnIT.

4) What made you start commenting, and how have you found time to keep that up?

I've always loved commenting on peoples art- it has always been so rewarding to do it, and I must say, it is quite an addiction now! I think I comment on about 99% of the deviations that come into my devwatch- perhaps I have too many things to say! I think at the moment I neglect some of my own messages on my page, but comments are replied to at some point! I just love supporting people, since I've received so much support from others. I guess it is my way of giving something back.

5) You're a trainee geologist for your real life job. What made you wish to become one?

My family has always been very scientific. My father is very mathematical-minded and can fix just about anything! My mum was a teacher, so I've always been encouraged to learn and progress with science. I found geography interesting at school, but hated the human aspects of it- population and things like that, so geology was more in-depth in the physical side of geography. When I went to college, the geography teachers were crap, and I hated it, so I went on to do geology in university- which is the same thing my brother did 7 years before me!

6) What are some of your hobbies when you're not taking photographs and mixing up vats of blood?

Ha ha! I don't get up to that much aside from my photography. When I'm not working, I'm either making jewelery or moderating the chatrooms. On weekends, I spend time with my boyfriend, since we live apart from each other. I watch as much TV and movies as I can with him, as well as reading of playing games on the xbox or DS.

7) Have you got your driver's yet?

Not yet, but fingers crossed the next test will be better.

8) What would you like to see yourself doing in 5 years?

In an ideal world, I'd love to have my own business for jewelery and photography, but I doubt it's ever going to happen. In 5 years, I can hope I'm living with my boyfriend in Manchester (where we first met), working, driving, paying for a house and mortgage as well as starting off my family in the form of cats and chickens. That seems the more realistic approach, but I can hope and dream I might have my own business one day.

9) Have you really produced blood from a stone?

I haven't, but my 'Heart Of Stone' photograph is about as close as I have gotten! I like to feel it's a little motto to live my, since I always strive to make the impossible possible- and since the quote combines both my hobby and my career, I thought it would be fitting!

Mature Content

10) What are some common misconceptions people have about you, especially if they see your work?

There are indeed! Most people think horror photographers or make up artists have some sort of mental problem, which is really not the case. Some people find me scary, some people find me awesome. I do horror photography as a way to get away from problems, or to let out my rage if I'm angry. I used to be a very unhappy person for one reason or another, and even though I'm ridiculously happy these days, we all have those annoying times when you could just explode! Rather than exploding, I get inspiration for pictures and do them when I have the time and items I need. I have no real anger to carry to other situations then- so rather than shouting at someone if I'm annoyed about something else, my soul is somewhat calmed by doing photos. I find it therapeutic.

11) Is it hard being a volunteer here at deviantArt?

It's not so bad. There are always those challenging moments when you have 10 people to help in a chatroom and no-one else is available to help. There are sometimes very angry people if you lock their thread, but it's a really rewarding thing to do, since the positive comments and chats I have more than outweigh the bad experience I have had volunteering. It was very hard to do at the start, but once you know what you're doing, it gets a bit easier!

Mature Content

12) How do you manage your time, what with almost 70,000 comments made, while doing your work here?

In the mornings when I get to work, I lock any threads I can see in the forums that are out of place, and check back through the day while I work. At lunchtime, I try to clear some of the deviations in my devwatch- they are a priority to make sure they get cleared and not deleted! I reply to a few comments made on my own work later through the day while keeping an eye on the forums. When I get home, I head straight for the chatrooms and stay there for the rest of the evening, checking messages and forums every so often. It works out well for me.

13) Are you happy with your niche in the community, or did you see yourself when you started as something else other then a mainly horror/macabre photographer?

When I started photography, I didn't see it going anywhere other than getting nature picture A B and C, and it's actually quite refreshing to know I'm taking photos of my own horrific ideas, some of which are pretty unique. I think this style of art suits me well, and although I do other types of art, I do see myself as a macabre artist, which suits me down to the ground. I still have ideas and inspiration, and I haven't gotten bored of it yet, either, which is always a good thing! I think this niche is good, because there is a lot of support and something of a close-knit feel to it as well.

14) How does it feel to be the source of many budding horror/macabre artists inspiration?

It feels amazing. I love knowing that people are inspired by my work- and anything I can do to get more horror photography out there- or other work for that matter- is a bonus! It's quite humbling sometimes to see all these wonderful comments, and I so enjoy people linking me to a horror photo that I've helped them create. So long as people are adding their own mark to their horror photography, I couldn't be happier.

15) How did you discover deviant art?

Years ago when I was younger, perhaps 14 or 15, I asked my brother if he knew any good places to find wallpapers for my computer and he pointed out deviantART. I didn't join at the time, since I was about as artistic as a shoe. When I was 18, my boyfriend at the time joined, so I did the same, thinking that my art classes at school or my crappy digital art might have an impact on the site- how wrong was I!!

16) Do you have a dream, goal or particular inspiration that you're striving towards, and what will you do once you get to it?

The only dreams I have at the moment seem really unrealistic, since I'd love a business of my own, or a job doing SFX make up, but that seems to be out of reach due to it being a hard profession to get into without working for free and having an extensive skill-set for special effects. If I ever get to have a small business, I'd have a small gallery for my photos- both nature and horror, and a display for my jewellery. If I ever got to that point, I'd try and get my stuff exhibited at various shows or events, such as festivals, craft fairs and garden shows. I've always wanted to have my own place at a garden show- I've been to so many with my mother, and I dream of being able to sell my stuff in a craft marquee at one.

When perusing her gallery to find images to feature with this interview, I found that she is much more then just a horror photographer. She writes, she makes jewelry, she has many other sides and aspects to her that I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't have had the chance to have a few words with her. If you haven't already had her in your radar, it's worth a few moments to go and see her gallery.

This concludes this week's interview with TerraRhapsody .

Community; what deviantART is all about! — Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Welcome back to another edition of devInterviews!

This particular devInterview was done by pullingcandy .

When I signed up for devInterviews , I knew I would want to take a few moments to hopefully ask a few of my very favorite and creative, as well as supportive and outstanding horror/macabre artists a few questions about their work, what they do, and what they hope is coming to them in the future. TerraRhapsody was exceptional to work with, and for that I thank her for taking a moment of her time to answer a few things for me to share with all of you.

When I first started exploring the darker side of deviantART, I stumbled across her work while researching for myself, and fell instantly in love with her style of special effects. Soon after, I saw her dedicated attempt at supporting deviants through comments; at the time I am writing this she has amassed 71,237. It wasn't until later that I realized she was also a Message Network Operator for the site. In the four years she has been here, she has worked tirelessly, it would seem, to clean up the site and give a thumbs up to everybody she comes across.

Juggling real life work as a geologist in training, her duties to deviantART, photography, jewelry making and her support through comments must be tough, but somehow she's managed to keep it all under control and even took the time to answer sixteen questions that I came up with.

1) What prompted you to start exploring horror/macabre photography?

When i joined deviantART, i found EveryNextDream as well as a few other deviants with some kick-ass horror photography and make up. I felt so inspired by a number of artists and decided to try it out myself

2) And what about special effects? What got you started on that?

Horror photography was pretty much hand in hand with the special effects. I didn't know anyone that could dp SFX make up, so I started exploring ways to make fake blood (since it wasn't Halloween at the time). I've always been a fan of gore in movies and how it looks so real, so I decided to try it out myself on a low level. My first horror piece called 'Anarchy' was my first real concept and application of SFX make up, and it went on from there!

Mature Content

3) You're a message network operator. What does that entail?

MNs are basically the operators for the chatrooms and forums, so we spend our time helping and moderating chatrooms, helping deviants with dA problems in #help and #MNAdmin . We lock threads that are out of place in the forums and approving quotes for dAmnIT.

4) What made you start commenting, and how have you found time to keep that up?

I've always loved commenting on peoples art- it has always been so rewarding to do it, and I must say, it is quite an addiction now! I think I comment on about 99% of the deviations that come into my devwatch- perhaps I have too many things to say! I think at the moment I neglect some of my own messages on my page, but comments are replied to at some point! I just love supporting people, since I've received so much support from others. I guess it is my way of giving something back.

5) You're a trainee geologist for your real life job. What made you wish to become one?

My family has always been very scientific. My father is very mathematical-minded and can fix just about anything! My mum was a teacher, so I've always been encouraged to learn and progress with science. I found geography interesting at school, but hated the human aspects of it- population and things like that, so geology was more in-depth in the physical side of geography. When I went to college, the geography teachers were crap, and I hated it, so I went on to do geology in university- which is the same thing my brother did 7 years before me!

6) What are some of your hobbies when you're not taking photographs and mixing up vats of blood?

Ha ha! I don't get up to that much aside from my photography. When I'm not working, I'm either making jewelery or moderating the chatrooms. On weekends, I spend time with my boyfriend, since we live apart from each other. I watch as much TV and movies as I can with him, as well as reading of playing games on the xbox or DS.

7) Have you got your driver's yet?

Not yet, but fingers crossed the next test will be better.

8) What would you like to see yourself doing in 5 years?

In an ideal world, I'd love to have my own business for jewelery and photography, but I doubt it's ever going to happen. In 5 years, I can hope I'm living with my boyfriend in Manchester (where we first met), working, driving, paying for a house and mortgage as well as starting off my family in the form of cats and chickens. That seems the more realistic approach, but I can hope and dream I might have my own business one day.

9) Have you really produced blood from a stone?

I haven't, but my 'Heart Of Stone' photograph is about as close as I have gotten! I like to feel it's a little motto to live my, since I always strive to make the impossible possible- and since the quote combines both my hobby and my career, I thought it would be fitting!

Mature Content

10) What are some common misconceptions people have about you, especially if they see your work?

There are indeed! Most people think horror photographers or make up artists have some sort of mental problem, which is really not the case. Some people find me scary, some people find me awesome. I do horror photography as a way to get away from problems, or to let out my rage if I'm angry. I used to be a very unhappy person for one reason or another, and even though I'm ridiculously happy these days, we all have those annoying times when you could just explode! Rather than exploding, I get inspiration for pictures and do them when I have the time and items I need. I have no real anger to carry to other situations then- so rather than shouting at someone if I'm annoyed about something else, my soul is somewhat calmed by doing photos. I find it therapeutic.

11) Is it hard being a volunteer here at deviantArt?

It's not so bad. There are always those challenging moments when you have 10 people to help in a chatroom and no-one else is available to help. There are sometimes very angry people if you lock their thread, but it's a really rewarding thing to do, since the positive comments and chats I have more than outweigh the bad experience I have had volunteering. It was very hard to do at the start, but once you know what you're doing, it gets a bit easier!

Mature Content

12) How do you manage your time, what with almost 70,000 comments made, while doing your work here?

In the mornings when I get to work, I lock any threads I can see in the forums that are out of place, and check back through the day while I work. At lunchtime, I try to clear some of the deviations in my devwatch- they are a priority to make sure they get cleared and not deleted! I reply to a few comments made on my own work later through the day while keeping an eye on the forums. When I get home, I head straight for the chatrooms and stay there for the rest of the evening, checking messages and forums every so often. It works out well for me.

13) Are you happy with your niche in the community, or did you see yourself when you started as something else other then a mainly horror/macabre photographer?

When I started photography, I didn't see it going anywhere other than getting nature picture A B and C, and it's actually quite refreshing to know I'm taking photos of my own horrific ideas, some of which are pretty unique. I think this style of art suits me well, and although I do other types of art, I do see myself as a macabre artist, which suits me down to the ground. I still have ideas and inspiration, and I haven't gotten bored of it yet, either, which is always a good thing! I think this niche is good, because there is a lot of support and something of a close-knit feel to it as well.

14) How does it feel to be the source of many budding horror/macabre artists inspiration?

It feels amazing. I love knowing that people are inspired by my work- and anything I can do to get more horror photography out there- or other work for that matter- is a bonus! It's quite humbling sometimes to see all these wonderful comments, and I so enjoy people linking me to a horror photo that I've helped them create. So long as people are adding their own mark to their horror photography, I couldn't be happier.

15) How did you discover deviant art?

Years ago when I was younger, perhaps 14 or 15, I asked my brother if he knew any good places to find wallpapers for my computer and he pointed out deviantART. I didn't join at the time, since I was about as artistic as a shoe. When I was 18, my boyfriend at the time joined, so I did the same, thinking that my art classes at school or my crappy digital art might have an impact on the site- how wrong was I!!

16) Do you have a dream, goal or particular inspiration that you're striving towards, and what will you do once you get to it?

The only dreams I have at the moment seem really unrealistic, since I'd love a business of my own, or a job doing SFX make up, but that seems to be out of reach due to it being a hard profession to get into without working for free and having an extensive skill-set for special effects. If I ever get to have a small business, I'd have a small gallery for my photos- both nature and horror, and a display for my jewellery. If I ever got to that point, I'd try and get my stuff exhibited at various shows or events, such as festivals, craft fairs and garden shows. I've always wanted to have my own place at a garden show- I've been to so many with my mother, and I dream of being able to sell my stuff in a craft marquee at one.

When perusing her gallery to find images to feature with this interview, I found that she is much more then just a horror photographer. She writes, she makes jewelry, she has many other sides and aspects to her that I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't have had the chance to have a few words with her. If you haven't already had her in your radar, it's worth a few moments to go and see her gallery.

This concludes this week's interview with TerraRhapsody .