W o r d s f r o m W e n d y | A b o u t W e n d y

Hmm. I always find it incredibly hard to talk about myself, especially when it comes to my art. I basically began making art somewhere in 03-04. I had just fallen madly in love with the Joss-verse and was take aback by the lovely walls I had found on the web. On one of the sites I found a link to Buffyworld Forums and navigated towards their fanart section, and knew that I was home. As I learned I realized the artists were using Adobe Photoshop, a program I just so happened to have on my computer, so I quickly began seeking out tutorials. Soon I was beginning to make pieces. Precariously at first, but constantly trying to improve. I was very afraid of the other artists at the time, I felt intimidated by their styles and abilities and was feeling very foolish posting my work. I was actually about to leave the community and the fanart world, however, I owe a deep debt of graditude to Lyn for taking me under her wing. Her kindness and guidance really helped me to feel more at ease, letting my know that everyone started somewhere and what I saw was generally after some very long months and even years of practice. I began asking questions and she was very eager to help. She was a great influence to me staying and put me at ease. I also began to become more brazen. Asking questions to those I felt were at the top of the art heap. Some were extremely helpful and some had lives of their own and found it harder to talk. However, Beth was always eager to help and share her tips and comments with me. She helped me to understand how to use textures/brushes, some great coloring tips, and not to mention some great ideas about image placement. She really helped evolve my style and to her I could not be more greatful. Soon, my art was excelling and I was starting to find a groove I could live with. It wasn't long before I met Shane who offered me a home on his domain. This was miraculous to me, I was in complete awe that he would give me room to post my art, and the milstone of having a site. Although knowing nothing about HTML I was very skiddish. He encouraged me though, and helped me along the way. He is truly an amzing friend and I couldn't be prouder to be a member of his domain. At this time I began learning the basics of coding, with great help from Nikki's tutorials and my site began to grow. It opened in Late July/August of 2005 and gave me a reason to make and improve my art. Soon people were asking my advice and it still amazes me people care what my opinion is or how I would change something in their piece. What technique I would offer for them to work with, what best to fit the scene. And people who try to imitate my art, asking for tutorials and particular things. It's just very flattering and very odd...well, that might be the wrong word. I believe weird might be better suited as I still don't consider myself a great or really even good artist. Personally, my art has always been made to suit me. Always the scenes I love, the shows I adore, the characters I find humorous or amazing in some way. The villains that steal my heart, the heroes that break it. It's always been liked or loathed by others. I like strong filters, crip contrast, lots of darkness or alternately lots of brightness. I like the quirks I make into pieces, the imperfections, though I still strive to match the talents of Olga, Tam and Chirs. The sheer perfection on their composition, their filters, their techiques. I am so inspired by them. And now we come to the present. I still adore other artists and try and mimic something of their skill. I drool over tutorials looking for some secret, I play with things, always changing them. Though I always read people take long pain stakingly ample time to make pieces, thinking through the concept, planning and such. This isn't how I work. I can't work through a long period of time. The more I work on a piece, the more I lose of the moment. My mind takes over versus my passion and the piece is crushed. Nothing is reflected but my mind, bashing the emotion to substitute skill. I suppose that's why I love the imperfections I always see in my art. I know they were made due to some over powering emotion, some obsession. Well, that's how my fanart has progressed. It's been a long strange trip and everyday I log onto my site, read the comments, and can't help feeling amazed and greatful to everyone who took the time to say anything at all about something I made. We are a community and anyone who doesn't realize that just can't understand what it is to make fan art. We should be helpful and respectful to all level of artist. We should help anyone who wants to learn, help to allow them to obtain the feeling that we still get from making art. Help to feedback their art and give advice, opinions, and encouragement while remaining objective. And to the artist, always remember that nothing is said in a negative light, you must be confident enough in your own skills to take from every comment some nuggets of knowledge and enlightenment, no matter what malice you think lies within. Believe me, 99.9% of the time, the only malice is in your head!