May, 2015, Vendor of the Month - VYKTOHRIA

The Vendor of the Month for May, 2015, is Vyktohria. This imaginative artist joined renderosity in 2008 and since then has uploaded over 400 images which has resulted in over 200,000 views. She is an exclusive Renderosity vendor working primarily with Poser and Daz3D: only at Renderosity.com can you view and purchase her carefully crafted digital artworks. I was fortunate to get an interview with Vyktohria, who's charming personality and honest responses were a delight. Â

Renderosity: One of the things I really like about your work is the personality and mood of your characters. You really feel as if they are people and not just images. How did you learn to create images like this?

Vyktohria: Thank you so much! Expressing myself through digital art is a fundamental part of who I am, and everything I know about 3D content creation has been completely self-taught. I study the nuts and bolts of the different software I use and constantly experiment to try and find new ways of doing things. In terms of digital art, I read books on art history and art theory and study the images of my favorite artists (both digital and traditional). Lately, my best friend, Jennifer Rehnay, has been very helpful in giving me some informal lessons on the "behind-the-scenes" processes of creating art.

Victoria Renderosity: How did you get started as a digital artist, Vyktohria?

Vyktohria: I first became interested in digital art in 1995 when my dad gave me a CD package containing some new, up-and-coming computer software which at the time included Aldus Photostyler and KAI PowerTools. I went home and spent the afternoon creating my first digital art piece. After that I was totally hooked. A few years later a friend introduced me to Photoshop, and it was love at first sight. My interest in the 3D side of digital artistry happened in 2008 when I came across an ad in a magazine for some free 3D software. I had always been intimidated by 3D, thinking it was way too difficult to learn, but was fascinated by its potential use in art, so, I decided to give it a try. Now I'm equally obsessed â€“ if not more so â€“ with all things 3D as well. In fact, it was my passion for 3D art that eventually inspired me to become a vendor here at Renderosity.

Renderosity: Where do your ideas for your characters and clothing come from?

Vyktohria: Like so many others have already said, I find inspiration everywhere I go. My fellow vendors and artists are a huge source of inspiration, as are my personal friends outside the 3D community. I'm kind of a big sci-fi and fantasy nerd, and find tons of inspiration in these types of books and movies. Whenever I hit a creative "block", I like to go to local bookstores and browse the art and photography sections; that never fails to reignite the creative "spark" in me. Sometimes, even something as simple as listening to music can send waves of inspiration through me. I believe we are fortunate enough to live in a world that is filled with beauty. Sadly we sometimes get so caught up in our day-to-day existences, that we forget to appreciate the little gifts life has to offer. I try to make it a part of my daily life to consciously take a step back from the mundane and become inspired by the beauty in things.

Renderosity: "Ellis for Petra" is your most favored image; how did you create that image and what was your inspiration?

Vyktohria: Well, I kind of have a wide span of interests when it comes to the various art genres, but one of my most favorites is the black and white movies and publicity stills from the 1930s and 40s. In my opinion, there's something magical about these images that transcends time and allows the viewer to be completely engulfed in the glamour of the era. Also, black and white images have a way of stripping away any distractions and making light and shadow become physical characters in the scene. In that particular image, I was hoping to channel some of the glamour and mystery of that era through P3Design's gorgeous character, Ellis, which reminds me of a young Elizabeth Taylor.

Renderosity: How has being a Renderosity vendor made a difference in your life? Do you make a living as a vendor?

Vyktohria: I was always amazed by the quality and diversity of products Renderosity offered and thought it would be awesome to one day become part of that community. So I worked hard, taught myself everything I could about 3D content creation, and eventually turned out some products. The support I received from fellow artists, vendors and staff members here at Renderosity served to encourage me to continue this pursuit and eventually take it to a place where I could make it my full time job. I can honestly say without hesitation that being a vendor here at Renderosity is the best job I've ever had. Besides the obvious benefits of being my own boss and working from home, I get to be creative all day and work with some of the most talented people in the business. I have made so many friends through Renderosity that at the end of the day, I am grateful to know that of all the things I am doing with my life, working for Renderosity is one of the things I truly love and enjoy. Not many people can say that about their jobs. I am sincerely grateful to be one of the lucky ones who can.

Renderosity: If someone wanted to become a Renderosity Vendor, what advice would you give them?

Vyktohria: Go for it! Seriously--if becoming a vendor at Renderosity is your dream, create your own reality and do it. Being a successful vendor takes hard work and dedication, but know that Renderosity is a welcoming environment filled with people who are willing to help and who will support you in your efforts. Never stop learning and challenging yourself. And above all else, don't be afraid to think outside the box and try something new.

Renderosity: And, finally, what do you want the Renderosity community to know about you?

Vyktohria: 3D content creation is my primary focus of work; however, there are many other things that I enjoy doing as well, so I have a tendency to wear several different hats in my day-to-day life. I'm currently a part-time anthropologist for a local non-profit organization teaching computer skills to the San Bushmen in Namibia, which sometimes requires me to travel to Africa for extended lengths of time. I am also a professional artist; I design book covers, create works for various e-zines, and recently published my first art book titled "Virtually Yours: The Pin-Ups Volume 1." I am also very approachable. I love seeing the images customers create with my products and am open to suggestions and ideas for new projects.