#Q1: Hi Jade! First, thank you so much for participating! Second, tell us a bit about yourself!
Aeirmid: Hi! Thanks for having me. I am the CV for Photomanipulation here on deviantART, and I've been photomanipulating for about 10 years as time allows. In real life I am about halfway through with a Ph.D., and I live with a golden retriever. I enjoy things that are brightly colored, unique, and really well-done. I'm pretty outgoing and like meeting new people, and generally I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for getting things done.
#Q2: What do you aim to do in the deviantart community?
Aeirmid: I want to see more collaboration, and I want to see people reaching outside of their comfort levels and pushing themselves to learn more about their art form. I think it's too easy to become complacent around here. I want to see photomanipulation back on the front page on a regular basis, and that means that we have to work together to get more exposure and also to make art that is already good become even better. I really want to see everyone reach their artistic goals, and that only happens when we take advantage of each other's knowledge and grow from critiques as well as praise on our work.
#Q3: What do you think about deviantArt community?
Aeirmid: I am in love with the deviantART community. Seriously. I think some people really want to achieve great feats with their work. Others are here for the social aspect, and that's fine, too. Just like everywhere else, there are popularity contests and feuds and sometimes dArama, but I think it's all part of the process of growth.
#Q4: Let's talk about your group Arts-and-Health: When it was created? What about? Focus, main goal?
Aeirmid: A&H was created about a year ago to allow people who live with a health condition to tell the story of what it's like to have that health condition. Images and words on the screen speak volumes. We wanted to give people a voice and help them tell their stories. I think we can learn a lot from the wisdom of others. All of us will experience an illness of some sort during our lifetimes, and it is helpful to have a creative outlet to express the many feelings and emotions we will encounter during this experience. Moreover, by raising awareness about these conditions (which, by the way, especially includes mental illness), we encourage others to tell their stories, too, and educate people on what we experience.
#Q5: Are you making challenges in this group?
Aeirmid: Yes, we have monthly challenges in which we give the members a challenge theme or topic and have them depict what it means to them in their process of coping or recovery. January's theme is "Those who came before me," which is about mentors or others who helped show them the way.
#Q6: What would you love to add to this group? Remove?
Aeirmid: I would love to add more MEMBERS! HA! The group has been fairly inactive lately. I don't like adding other people's work to the group, as I feel that this is something that needs to be done by the member because the member wants to do so (as opposed to just adding it to get exposure for popularity's sake). But, I think I need to do a bit more recruiting to bring more folks on board and help us live out our mission.
#Q7: Is there anything you would love to tell about group? Some advices for deviants?
Aeirmid: Never be afraid to tell your story. Everyone here has a story to tell. Every journey has a lesson, and your lesson just might make someone else's a little bit easier. We weren't put on this planet so we can exist alone in our own little corners of the world. Come join us. We have cookies!
Thank you!
Thank you!
