nDisPose

This week's interviewee has got some balls, let me tell you!  Big ones, little ones, pink ones, and blue ones!   Hmmm, ... perhaps those statements need some clarification!   

nDisPose is pose store inworld that is owned and operated by the creator of the poses ... Sera Bellic.  I've seen Sera's awesome work inworld and know the high quality poses that she creates.  I had the pleasure of being part of the pre-opening walk through of Sera's new pose store.

In this interview you'll find links to Sera's store inworld, as well as the link to the poses she has on Marketplace.  So, c'mon!  Take a teleport ride to the landing point at Sera's store in Gravity and strike a pose!

Tell us a little about yourself, Sera.
Well I love to create, for me it's relaxing. I have very electric taste and I like to challenge myself with different things.


What inspired you to journey into the world of pose creation?
I saw a blip on the news about Second Life, came on and was hooked.  I have been in SL for 6 years and learned very early on that that I was born to create so to speak. It's cheaper to create here than in the real world.. :)   So this is my creative outlet.




Tell us about the name.  Is there a story behind nDisPose?
I use to have a store called LICK, when I began making poses, I wanted to separate the two businesses.  I had just joined Facebook and put it out there looking for names for my business. I got several good ones and this is the one I choose.


The little guy on the logo, he's interesting.
LOL, thank you.  When looking for a logo, I went to the Internet.  I searched pose ball dummy's and found several.  I just fell in love with this guy.  My logo has changed over the years but the guy remains the same.


How long has nDisPose been around?
About three years since its inception, but as a serious business, a year and half.  


nDisPose is now at a new location, when did you open there?
It opened officially on Monday, 7/22, on the Gravity sim.  Here is the map location.


What kind of poses do you create, Sera?
 I started creating poses for my own personal use.  I love taking pictures in SL and often found amazing sims but could not find either poses I liked for a specific setting or I could not rez on the sims. So, I started making poses.  At first, it was very random, just whatever I wanted for personal use.  As my inventory grew with poses, I decided to open a pose store. Then I decided I wanted to make poses that were fun, flirty, realistic looking.  Something for the photographer in all of us.





Speaking of fun and flirty, any special story behind "Country Love" or "Taken"?
Country Love:  I found this great pickup that I loved and wanted to do something with it.  I was not really thinking of poses right then.  But often like many of my poses, one idea spun off into a direction of it's own and "Wala!" ... Country Love was born.  As for Taken, smiles ...  I was partnered to a great guy at the time and was all about cozy sexy poses and created it for us to take some pictures.

What about "Carnaval" and "Attitude"?  Any story behind those?
Smiles, Attitude was my very first pose.  A good friend of mine had entered a contest for a clothing store and wanted me to do his picture.  So I went to one of my favorite sims.  Sadly no longer in SL, but it was called "The Mother Road".  I made the pose of him leaning against the church wall with a cig hanging out of his mouth in a leather jacket.  Bad boy kinda look.

As for Carnaval, that was made originally for Annie Melson, she owns Just Because.  I believe you know her.  We started working together a while back.  When she has a new collection to release, I create the set and make the poses for her.

Now for another fun and flirty one ... Fireman.  Surely there's a story there, Sera.  :)

Grins.  Well I had made a series of "Pin Up Girl" poses, vintage and decided the girls needed something to drool over.  Laughs.  Only fair.  Cowboy, Fireman, and a few more not released yet were made.

Oh so more eye candy for the ladies are in the works?
HELLO... LOL, of course!







One of your poses, Passion, pretty much speaks for itself.
Smiles, it does.  That was my first try at a bit more then PG rated.

Surfs Up is a very nice "guy" pose, I like that one a lot.
That is also part of the "eye candy", if you will, collection.  I have a few more surfer poses for both the guys and girls in the works.










What can you tell us about Troubled?
I am inspired by all kinds of things and people. A friend inspired me to make it. I think at times we are all troubled and well at that time, it was what was in my heart



Without giving away any secrets, can you walk us through the process of creating a pose?
I use a tool in world. I prefer those over the programs that can be used outside of SL.  I basically stand on a pose stand and manipulate my avatar into the position I want.  Sadly with the inworld tools there are probably more limitations on what or how far you can manipulate an Avi.  But over time I have learned little tricks to achieve some of the same effects.


Little tricks, that sound intriguing.  :)
Grins.  A girl has to have some secrets.  Winks.


What permissions do you set on the poses you create, Sera?
On single poses I make them copy.  On couples or groups they are mod copy, so they can be adjusted for each Avi's height and size.  If someone wants a transfer item, I will sell them one without hesitation.

Do you have your poses on Marketplace?
I do have some there, here is the link ... nDisPose on Marketplace.  Honestly I need to update and put all of them on there.  I love creating.  I hate the technical end of things.  And to me MP is technical.  LOL.  


Do you favor the Reviews that are available on Marketplace?
Yes and no.  Let me explain.  Positive reviews are a no brainier.  Negative reviews ... sometimes people have a problem and it's not necessarily an issue with how it was designed but more end user and they do not contact the shop owner for assistance or help.  The names used are not SL Avi names so you can't contact them to try to help them.  I personally go out of my way to help my customers, ... to make sure they are happy with their purchase.  I am from the old school.  Without them, I would not have an SL business.


Sounds like you know a thing or two about customer service?
Laughs ... Well, yes.  I was a customer service manager RL for many many years.  I still take some calls that have been escalated in my RL work.

If you were offering suggestions to someone that wanted to start working with poses, what would those be?
Have lots of patience.  It take time to master the tools of the trade.  I am still learning and a second pair of eyes is always a good thing.

Your store, LICK, do you still operate it and what can you tell us about it?

I love LICK.  No I closed it.  LICK was about just fun stuff, home decor.  It started out with regular furniture and ended with redneck grunge stuff.  I just got bored with doing the same stuff.

When you are not working on your latest items, what do you do for fun in SL?

I love to explore and take pictures, create settings for pictures.  I enjoy live music venues, dancing, and just having fun with old and new friends.

Sera's beautiful home

Credits - Sera:

• Skin - Belleza Elle BR SK Cleavage
• Shape - custom by Sera
• Eyes - MADD Bruised Sea
• Hair - Truth Savina w/Roots Pecan
• Blouse - Blueberry Mesh Knotted T-Shirt
• Skirt - COCO Pleated Mini Skirt Red
• Feet - N-Core Barefeet with flip flops
• Jewelry - League Raven Necklace old silver
• Accessories -  COCO red leather belt, GA mesh Lashes Mysteria

Credits - Michael Jay:

• Skin - Belleza Dylan Tan 2
• Eyes - IKON Eternal Eyes Peak
• Hair - Redgrave TYLER Dark
• Shirt - meshTheory Men's Tee Shirt 3
• Shorts - meshTheory Men's Beach/Swim Boardies
• Feet - Latreia Herc Tan
• Jewelry - GG Mens Bracelet Strand, Multi bead and Leather, Titanium Hoop Earring
• Accessories - Redgrave Hairbase Tintable

Bianca Xavorin - Gedenspire

Come join me while I take a walk through a few art galleries in Second Life, searching for Mrs. Bianca Xavorin-Gedenspire.  While visiting the Bianca Xavorin Studio (see link below), I was invited to her beautiful home for the interview.

I learned during our time together, that this is Bianca's first interview.  I hope you enjoy getting to know this incredible artist as much as I have!

Cake at Bianca Xavorin Studios

Can you tell us a little about yourself, Mrs. Xavorin-Gedenspire?

I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia in a very happy home filled with music, laughter and oodles of love.  I have studied at The Philadelphia college of art, Chester County Yellow Springs Studio.  Other studies in the arts include 12 years of Piano and extensive study in Dance.  I have a background in Art in RL and with RL the way it is it drifted away from me.  I came into SL 3 years ago when I saw a story on the news about it.  I wanted to learn about Machinima and even dabbled in it looking to use it in RL.  I use to produce TV in RL and thought wow, what a great venue to use to create program.  I soon found out I was out of my league and needed to start from scratch which brought me to still photography.  After a time I met Graham Collinson who took me under his wing and taught me about the use of light and composition.  He would take me to a thing called Photo Hunt that is every Monday and Wednesday where artist have one hour to find the perfect picture and submit on a board for judging etc.  Anyways, I got the bug.  I started to see what artists did in SL and was blown away.  Graham also taught me about windlight settings and using props.  

What is your goal with your artwork?

My main goal is to introduce SL art in RL.  My goal is also to create a picture that captures a subjects soul, tells a story, and emulates a feeling.  Creating special sets from scratch is a passion for me.  Ripping apart my sim is nothing new to create the perfect atmosphere.  By the way, I have a craving for happiness. I hope it is contagious.

Anubis Stalking

Where do you get your inspiration, Bianca?

I love doing pictures of other avatars.  When I do others from their essence, I want to pull more than just a pretty picture.  I want to evoke some type of feeling.  I even interview the person(s) prior to a shoot then create a setting customized just for the shoot.  One of my favorite shoots was when Shamas Maximas came to me and asked for a Bianca Original.  The deal was I could not sell it.  He wanted an Egyptian theme.  I ripped apart my land over night to create this for him.

The Wheel That Squeaks Gets Greased
at Timamoon Arts

You had a submission for the Artists for SL photo contest, The Wheel That Squeaks Gets Greased.  What can you share with us about this artwork?

Hahahahaha.  Funny story about that.  

I did it for the contest and was so proud.  Then, I found out I did it wrong.

Tell us a little about your studio.  What are some of your favorite tools to use when you are doing a photo shoot?

As you can see I work in 3D and do not use a studio.  I also love playing with reflection.

Do you have a gallery inworld where we can see some of your work?

My first Gallery to give me a break in SL was Ernie Farstrider's East Gallery.  Yes I am in 6 Galleries now.  

• Bianca Xavorin Studios at zExposure Gallery 
• EAST Galleries / West Galleries
• Timamoon Arts
• Bohemian Eclectic Gallery

I have four, what are the other two?     
The wonderful Artists for SL Gallery owned by Jim Slater and The Fainting Goat owned by Graham Collinson.  I also have several cafes, and galleries letting me hang my work for sale in them as well. 

Wheelerwood in a Box
with Wheelerwood Oppewall

One of your pieces of artwork is titled Wheelerwood in a Box.  Do you work with other SL artists often? 

Hahahaha!  Wheeler.  Yes, I love working with fellow artists.  I model for several and they for me.  Sometimes it is nice to work on the other side of the camera.  Wheeler use to love that I understood the process.  Hair sticking out of your chest and so on.  Graham Collison and I have done many project together as well.  Recently I have been working some great projects with Walter Gedenspire.  He is a great model and inspiration for my last show INTO THE WOODS.

Shadows and light ... what are your thoughts on using these elements in photography?

In RL Art School that was the first thing they drilled in us.  Every still life was black and white so we learned about light and shadow.  I believe it gives it a 3D feel to the art, along with creating a mood.  In the beginning I used only face lights.  Then I met LarryB Writer who taught me about LumiPro.  LumiPro is a camera system in SL that is amazing.  It is like carrying your studio with you everywhere.  You can pose your models, light them, and even control their eyes.  LumiPro works on any sim.  It took my work to a new level.

After you've created a set and taken your photo(s), do you have tools or processes that you use while post-processing?
Ah you mean like PS, ... I use a program called Photo Explosion.  I do so much preparation during a shoot my time in editing is little.  I do hope in the future to play more with editing.

What are your thoughts on morphing photos?
I am not a huge fan ... but respect the craft.


Are there online sites that your artwork is also visible, Bianca?

Yes you can find my work on flickr and Koinup.

Boys and Their Toys

Looking through your flickr photos, I see several awesome nudes.  What would you like to share with us about your nudes?
I have always been a fan of Michael Angelo.   My father use to read the Agony and the Ecstasy after dinner as a child...   I remember how he studied the human body even down to the veins.  I always felt the human body is beautiful.  In art school we worked with nude models often.  Back to Angelo ... when he painted the Sistine chapel the people were nude.
The priest or who ever made him cover all the people.  So, he painted that priest in hell to get even after he put drapes and clothes on.

What pointers or guidance can you offer someone wanting to explore the world of photography in Second Life?

Anyone can start with a facelight that you can get free on MarketPlace and windlight settings.  Also Artists for SL has live classes for beginners.  That is one of the best groups in SL for Art.

Tiny Dancer

Have you sold any of your artwork in SL or RL?

I have already printed out some of my work ... and have sold one piece, Tiny Dancer, for $50.00.

What are your favorites activities in SL when you are not working in your studio?

Walter and I visit many Gallery openings along with plenty of parties.  I am usually very busy.

Anything else that you'd like to add, Bianca?
I do want to add that I will get to Machinima, my orginal goal, and play with short video clips.  I was just contacted by a producer looking to see where I was at with that project.


How can someone reach you?

Facebook is a sure way to get my attention.  In SL a notecard and IM are perfect.  Though, please be patient in SL because when I am in a shoot I can not get to my IM.

Twin Ghost

www.twinghost.com

This week's posting is about an artist known as Twin Ghost.   Twin Ghost brings to us a very soulful ambiance that feels natural and soothing.  Take a walk with Twin Ghost and let's get to know him and his musical journey!





Thank you, Twin Ghost, for taking the time out of your schedule to talk with us for a few moments.  As I shared with your inworld manager, Staci (Staciface Schwarz), I welcome the opportunity to highlight the fine work of your musical career.

Tell us about your influences.  Who helped guide you in your musical career to make you the artist that you are today?
I love all kinds of music.   Big soul music fan.  Stevie wonder is a huge influence for me, but so many others as well.  Who helped guide me ... I'd have to say ... me!  Where I come from there are no guides ... it's a working class town.  It's the kind of neighborhood where you had to search and find your own identity.  Music was my escape, my "own" thing.  It belonged to me and no one could take it.  In essence, it's all I ever had.

Music has really helped you see yourself and allow others to see you?
Every single day.

You did a cover of a John Fogerty tune, from when he was with Creedence Clearwater Revival, Who'll Stop the Rain.  Tell us a little about what inspired that cover ... ?
Well, it's a great song and really fun and emotional to sing.  The lyrics are a great snapshot in time, the way people were feeling about the politics at that time, simple and yet still vague enough to be applied to anytime.

What can you share with us about your first album, Twin Ghost - The Album?

Twin Ghost - The Album

I don't know.. it was then.  A pretty homegrown record.  I did most of the raw tracks live in SL (SecondLife) and then layered (multi-tracked) on top.

Let's talk about one of your originals for a moment.  Spirit Dancer, what was the inspiration for this awesome song?

Thank you.  Sometimes I like to leave certain things to the listener.  I'll say this about it:  it came of a real experience that was very traumatic for a lot of people who had to witness it.  The song is asking a few questions.. of course "why", but it's also struggling to understand how a person could go to these extremes.  What is it that drives them so intensely that they are willing to give up there lives and in some cases take others with them?

I understand that you have a new album being released soon, Spirit Dancer.  What can you tell us about this new work of yours?
I'm really excited and proud of it!  It's been a 6 month project, and I had a great group of musicians on it.  A lot of SL cats too ... Voodoo Shilton, Pilgrim Swashbukler aka Pete Mroz, Buckley Moonwall aka Gordon Vincent, Colton Cadell aka Joe Tosolt, and many others.

When will your new album be released, Twin Ghost?
The official release party is in Second Life at the Boom Pony venue (owned and operated by the lovely Kiran Sporg and Andi Karsin) on Saturday, the 13th of July at 7PM PST (SL time).  Boom Pony can be found inworld here.

Release Party!

Cool Facebook picture, by the way.  Captain Picard is one of my favorites.  I could watch STNG over and over!
Haha!  Me too!

Is there a story behind the name "Twin Ghost"?

Yes.

Howlin' Wolf
Son House
Blind Willie
Prince
Sting
Bo Diddy
Slim Harpo
Guitar Watson
Muddy Waters
Twin Ghost!

:)

How often do you have live performances in real life?
All the time.  I play solo gigs at least once or twice a week now.  I play with the full band a couple times a month.

TwinGhost Ronas

How often do you perform inworld (in Second Life)?
Three or four times a week.



Do you perform duets inworld, as well?
I do.  I dual stream with a couple cats in SL all the time, also triple stream with them as well.  Funky Freddy Republic, Voodoo Shilton, and Colton Cadell.  Always a blast! 



Where can we purchase your music?
The easiest way is from my website, www.twinghost.com.  Click on Music, then follow the links. 

A lot of artists today are using social media to help promote themselves, do you have a presence on Facebook or another place?

Yes, I am on Facebook, Twitter, Reverberation, and Youtube.

What nuggets or words of wisdom could you offer to someone with the dream of being a musician?
Well ... be true to yourself and pure at heart and you will never fail at your own personal art.
There are no mistakes only missed opportunities.  Don't be afraid.  And finally, don't litter.

What is the best way to reach you for bookings and/or private house performances?
In SL, contact Staciface Schwarz or Jamie Parkin.  In RL, I can be contacted at twinghost@comcast.net.

Thank you again, Twin Ghost!  Now it's time for some tea.
"Tea.  Earl Grey.  Hot." 

meshTheory and Little Ones Couture

on SL Marketplace

on SL Marketplace

This is an exclusive interview with Larissa Favell (Risa Resident).  Risa hasn't given a single interview to anyone up to this point, so I am very fortunate to have this opportunity!  She didn't want to do it, and claimed that she is shy.  Though, I reminded her of the first time we met and how she gave me a tour of the stores and her studio.  This interview is an expansion of that and will give you some insight into part of the team behind the success that is meshTheory and Little Ones Couture.  Be sure to visit the inworld stores to see the full line of outfits offered.

You are co-owner of meshTheory and Little Ones Couture with Jules (Juliet Tairov (Juliet Belgar)), how did the creation of your two stores come about?
Little Ones Couture was created back in 2009.  I was a mother in Second Life and I would take my kids shopping.  I didn't like the clothes I'd find and decided to make little kids clothing.  I based the creations off of my real life daughter and how I dressed her.

As for meshTheory, in 2012 Jules had been asking me for about six months to make adult clothing.  I kept saying "no, no no, I don't wanna do adult clothing".  Then the children's clothing business started to slow down and I reconsidered adult clothing.  Jules came up with name meshTheory.  We were throwing names out and that one stuck.  I hopped into PhotoShop and created the logo.  Thus was born meshTheory.

Is there anything that you'd do differently with meshTheory or Little Ones Couture?
No, I find both very enjoyable and it is a lot of fun. I don't have the pressure of trying to make real life money out of this.  I wouldn't change anything at all and I'd do it all the same!

What is your favorite thing about being a designer?
Coming up with the textures for the clothes.

What do you use for your texturing?
Adobe PhotoShop.  I've been working in PhotoShop for over 15 years and I'm still learning! :)   

Have you ever worked as a graphic designer?
Yes, I managed a graphic design team in real life.  My team made the brochures, presentations, and the web site for the company.

What suggestions would you offer someone trying to start out designing in SL?
Do your research about what's out there in the design world.  Research what people really want, ask your friends, for example.  I like Nordstroms, I go to their website for material, look in my own closet, and I ask my friends.  They have a huge amount of input.  Use your sources.

What would you say is your most memorable accomplishments as a designer?
There was a cute little tye-dyed dress that my real life daughter had that i wanted to duplicate.  And ... I did it!  That was two years ago and it is still selling!  As well, the formal dresses in the kids line have been fun and I adore doing those.  People will ask for custom colors and I like doing that.  I love to make my customers smile.

What's the latest line that you are working on?
We just released it!  It is a line of swimwear.  Bikini's for the ladies and trunks for the guys.  It's summer and time for swimming.

The biggest joy in all of this for me is making sure that my customers are happy with what I am giving them.  That is the most important thing to me.  I want them to walk away happy.  I want them to keep coming back.  I want them to enjoy my designs.  I cannot put a price on that.

meshTheory has a VIP group inworld with a small one-time membership fee.  Group membership comes with monthly exclusive members gifts (female and male), occasional sales,  updates, and VIP privileges.

Credits - Risa

• Bikini:  Bikini 1 - Solid - Red - meshTheory, Bikini 2 - Hawaiian - Turquoise - meshTheory, Bikini 3 - Swirl - Orange Sherbet - meshTheory
• Hair:  Bikini 1 - Candy - Truth (Red Bikini), Bikini 2 - Bobbie - Truth (Orange Sherbet Bikini), Bikini 3 - Pocahontas - LeLutka (Turquoise Bikini)
• Eyelashes:  41 Redgrave
• Eyes:  Eternal Eyes - Hazel - IKON
• Skin:  Elsa - Dark - Lara Hurley
• Shape:  Custom - Risa
• Feet:  Barefeet & Flip-Flops - N-Core
• Nails:  Ultra Mesh Fingernails - Jamman

Credits - MichaelJay

• Shirt:  [mT] (meshTheory) Men's T-Shirt 2 Pink
• Shorts:  [mT] (meshTheory) Men's Plaid Shorts 1 - Blue
• Skin: Belleza Dylan Tan 2
• Hair: Redgrave TYLER Dark, Redgrave Tyler Hairbase tintable, BrowsShape TYLER Redgrave
• Eyes:  IKON Eternal Eyes - Peak
• Feet:  Latreia Herc Tan
• Accessories:  MAYWAY Mens Watch - Brown, Titanium Hoop Earring, Multi bead and Leather Cord Necklace, and GG Mens Bracelet strands Black