Each month the Renderosity community votes on the Renderosity Artist Of The Month [AOM] ... August's AOM is MrsRatbag!

We congratulate MrsRatbag for an outstanding collection of works in the Photography Gallery!

Who is 'MrsRatbag' ?

I've been "MrsRatbag" ever since the birth of the internet; having grown up on Monty Python's Flying Circus it was a no-brainer. I currently live in the Seattle area, although I have moved back and forth across the US quite a few times, growing up in LA, several years in Portland, Oregon, then college in Virginia, many years in Minnesota, back to California, up to Seattle, back to Virginia, back to California and finally up here again.  Must be gypsy blood in me somewhere.  I've spent most of my working life as a medical lab professional, mostly in the infertility field, and now as a hematology tech in an oncology clinic. 

How long have you been working in photography?

Art has always been part of my life; I painted as a teenager and young adult, but found that my creativity had to take a hiatus while I earned a living.  When I was laid off from my job in 2008 shortly after moving back to the Seattle area I made the conscious decision to take up photography, and starting with a cheap point-and-shoot I worked my way up through camera complexity to the Canon 40D I have now. 

 

Wispy

 

Who, or what, inspires you, and what do you enjoy most about photography?

Those who know me know my love of lines, light, geometry and wildlife, and I've been really thrilled to get to know the big cats at the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, Washington. There's something magical about connecting with these wild creatures, and I try to share those brief glimpses of personality in my shots. 

 

Pillow Pal

 

What do you think your best piece of work is and why?

My favourite piece of work would have to be the one I just shot; I fall in love with something on every shoot, only to have it supplanted by the next one; I think it has to be that way, or we don't evolve.  My dream is to shoot the aurora borealis in Iceland. 

Leadenhall Market

 

Do you have any tips you would be willing to share on shooting?

I don't know enough about photography to feel I can give tips to anyone, but the one thing I would say to everyone is ALWAYS be prepared.  My camera is always with me; I used to use my camera bag as my purse, but with the 40D and all the "must-have" lenses I've had to start leaving it in my car, which is always with me ;)  Likewise I always have a tripod and a monopod as part of my "emergency pack" in the trunk.  You just never know what you're going to come across, and there's nothing worse than that feeling of missing "THE" shot!

 

My favourite creek

 

How has this online community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and learning?

I've made many friends here on Renderosity, and had the pleasure of meeting quite a few in person, both here and in England.  I've been in a relationship with Ronnie (Adobe_One_Kenobi) for five years now, and I'm ever-indebted to him for his generousity and patience in tutoring me in photography and Photoshop.  Renderosity has been a wonderful and supportive community for my development, and I think that evolution is pretty apparent if you go back and look at my early work and compare it to my work today. 

 

EMP

 

We invite you to have a further look at MrsRatbag's Renderosity Gallery!

Be sure to visit:

• MrsRatbag's Renderosity homepage
• MrsRatbag's Renderosity Gallery
• Renderosity Photography Gallery
• Renderosity Photography Forum

Artist of the Month is highlighting a talented Renderosity artist that has been nominated by mods and admins, and voted by the community. Recognition is given to this member for their collection of works for that year.

Since we only select one AOM per month, it is not about their works for that particular month. Instead, it is about highlighting a talented artist's works for that year, and they are recognized during that month.

To learn more about Renderosity's Artist Of The Month [AOM] award, and to view our past AOM's, please visit the AOM page.

Please note: If you find the color of the text hard to read, please click on "Printer-friendly" and black text will appear on a white background.

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