February 16, 2008 An interview with Zia Pussycat of Artistic Skinpression
In today's Feature Article we are going to be speaking with Zia Pussycat, a multi-talented woman who has mastered the art of tattoos and has now begun producing incredible, high-quality photography which is now available to the SL public. Zia's tattoos standout as some of the finest examples of tattoo work available in SL. Her creations posses a quality of details and balance which make the tattoo on the avie believable and a very beautiful adornment. Zia produces tattoos for both men and women for all regions of the body, including some beautiful, full body tattoos. The addition of Zia's photography is her latest offering and meets every bit of what you might expect in a photo. The images produced look like oil on canvas and are simply gorgeous. Do you have your own ideas and want Zia to produce them? No problem. Do you have no clue as what you want done but need something nice? No problem. Zia is accommodating to either need and will work with you to produce an image you'll love.
SLS: Hi Zia! Thank you for letting us pester you like this to do an article. I trust you got that large box of cash in the mail as we agreed upon?
Zia: It's my pleasure! I love getting pestered haha ROFL @ large box of cash! Umm I think the delivery boy ran off with it...might need to send me another one =)~
SLS: Let's start with your tattoos, which currently is your bread and butter in SL and are sold from your store Artistic Skinpression. You do some truly incredible work. How did you get your start with producing tattoos? Did you learn via self-study, or did you learn alongside a friend, discussing techniques and sharing ideas?
Zia: Tysm! I'm glad people enjoy my tattoos. I love doing them! I actually drew tattoos for people in RL as a hobby, so coming here and being able to design from pictures I see caught my attention immediately. I started doing them a few months into the game. My amazing friend, CaseyJo Giugiaro, was playing with the idea in Paintshop and found a way to do them. In return, sat down with me and another friend to teach us what she knew. And if you know me at all...teaching me anything is a job in itself LOL
Once we all got the basics down, we'd discuss with each other, the different things we did to get a certain look. That's when Skin Deep Tattoos was born.
SLS: What are your thoughts in template guides and which do you prefer to use? How do you approach the problem of seems when it comes to your full-bodied tattoos?
Zia: Trying to get the tattoos to line up is so tedious and frustrating at times. But if you're really into what you're making, the extra work put in is so worth it at the end. I haven't found any easy way to do it either lol I still work off the original templates, I still curse at the screen every time I upload to game haha It's tradition...can't touch that lol
SLS: Tattoo creation has remained consistent since the beginning; accept the customer is now demanding finer details, a broader range of designs and original full-body designs for both men and women. How have you adjusted to this new demand? What has your focus been and how do you approach each new design with that goal in mind?
Zia: Well every designer goes through moments of having mental blocks. You're always afraid you're going to put out the same old stuff, nothing that catches the customers’ eye. So I've come up with a way to get suggestions that benefit me as well as the customer. Joining my group gives you access to make a suggestion for tattoos you'd like to see. If I take your idea, you get the tattoo for free, and a mention of your name on the box. In return, it helps me get more of an idea of what people want to purchase and I can expand from there. Kind of a win-win situation LOL
SLS: What do you see as your goal this year for our tattoo designs? What aspects, from previous months experiences, have you gleaned from your efforts do you wish to grow and improve upon?
Zia: I would like to expand more on full body designs...sleeve work....etc. It seems to be quite popular and there are so many different ways to go about it. Another is prim tattoos. With the restrictions on upper body template, I would love to create a way for someone to sport a design on just one arm without it looking tacky lol Unless SL can hook all us designers up with an upper layer that allows each arm to be designed differently *wink wink* Throw in a separate tattoo layer, too and I'll be a happy camper! lmao!!
SLS: I understand that you and CaseyJo have worked together in the past and both of you have done extremely well creating and selling tattoos. How close of friends have you remained? Do you find it difficult to be in the same line of business without becoming competitive?
Zia: I just adore CaseyJo! =) She's one of a kind. If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't even be in the business I'm in. We have been friends for years now...even before SL...and i'm sure (well I hope) we'll be friends for many more years ahead. As far as our businesses are concerned....we are forever sending pics back and forth to get the others opinion lol If there's something I have trouble making for a customer, she's the first person I send them to. And she's done the same for me =) She's ventured into alot more other things as well... Custom Inkz...everyone should go check it out ;) <---had to plug my CJ LOL =)~
SLS: Let's discuss your photography now. Your photography provides beauty and believability to the subject. The images often conjure a feeling of an oil on canvas or a detailed water color when seen. What was it that led you into the already over-crowded field of SL photography?
Zia: Windlight haha I decided to download the version and was blown away. The lighting and the colors are amazing. You don't even need Photoshop if you do it right. (I still use Photoshop though haha) My friend Leila Carroll gave me some tips on certain functions in Photoshop to increase what was already taken on the pic...so I snapped away, taking pics of myself and testing the different options, colors, lights etc... and it snowballed from there. By the way… Leila does amazing photos as well! =)
SLS: Your work has been seen on the profile of CaseyJo, Devil, Keirsten, Kyle, Pryncess, and I. Working with you was incredibly easy. I had no pre-conceived ideas and let you pose and work how you wished. The process couldn't have been easier and you work very quickly. What is your idea of an ideal sitting? Would you rather a client tell you their preference more? And was it standard procedure for all male clients to remove their clothing and show their bits for you? hehe, jk, jk =)
Zia: Well of course that's one of the many perks I get ;) hahha But I just want everyone to be comfortable enough that they have that "nude" option and not feel so awkward about bringing it up lol I love to hear what people want to see in the pic. It makes things run a little more smoothly only b/c I now have an idea of what’s in their head. I also don't mind someone coming in and going “Do with me what you will" lmaoo Gets my creative side flowing and it becomes a surprise for the client in the end as well. I'm still learning my way around doing pictures, but I really do love the black background. It gives such a classy look to the pic and allows the focus to be exactly where it needs to be....on your avi.
SLS: What more do you see coming from your photography efforts? How more can you further pioneer and advance beyond the imagery that you are producing today?
Zia: I would love to explore SL a little more to find outdoor scenes I can incorporate into the picture. Kinda like taking my clients on little field trips for their photo shoots haha Windlight does amazing things to the colors of the sky, sun, clouds...etc I believe the outdoor shots will intrigue more people into wanting their pictures taken....either alone or with another.
SLS: Ok, so we know you know how to work in SL. What do you do for fun?
Zia: Well, when I'm not being humped furiously by Devil...lmfao (told ya I was gonna do it) I'm a very laid back kinda person. I'll hit up a few events here and there. Mostly hang out with close friends, finding weird themes we can do for a photo LOL But I'm forever shopping somewhere! Hair, shoes, clothes....even other's tattoos haha Spending crazy amounts of lindens on things I know I don't need makes me very happy! haha
SLS: Looking long term, what are your plans and goals in SL? Do you wish to purchase a sim, build and run a mall? Expand on current skill sets or discover new ones? What would you like to do?
Zia: I'm always up for learning different things. Would love to learn clothes! Shoes and hair as well. I think more for my own benefit than as a business venture lol I enjoy building but not very good at it. But I can make one hell of a box though lmaoooo
Sooner or later I would love to purchase a sim. More so just to set up different areas in diff themes for picture taking purposes. Would be a great spot for people to come visit and take their own as well, I think.
SLS: Thank you Zia for your time today. We are very happy to have you as part of the Society family and enjoy seeing you post images of your new work. It's all very good work and sexy too. And you know that we enjoy that here =) Hey, here's an idea, if someone does a shoot with you and says "I saw you on Society and that's why I've come to you", will you give them a discounted sitting fee? Hey, not a bad idea =)
Zia: LMAO Absolutely! Mention the fact that you actually sat and read my article and I'll throw in 1 pic free. Of course a small pop quiz might be given though LOL j/k
Tysm for giving me this opportunity! I'm so flattered to be asked and even more flattered that my work is enjoyed by many =)
A few notes regarding Zia’s business: Artistic Skinpression Tattoos & Studio
Business hours: Any time you catch me on ;)
Available for customs Plz send notecards with all details. IM's don't seem to go through all the time
GIFT CERTIFICATES available (Y/N) Contact: Most items are transferable
REFUND policy (Y/N): Negotiable
As mentioned, I will be doing a series of articles focusing on content creators in Second Life. If you have input in regards to good subjects for these articles please email me here for consideration. Thank you =)
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