InsaneJournal

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snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games,
@ 2008-09-25 16:27:00

Entry tags:

interviews, team dragon

CHAMPION INTERVIEW # 14 - Veridian Dair!
We welcome another first-timer to the Games:

Your Name: Veridian Dair
Your Team: Dragon

1. Which HP character gives you the most trouble to draw?
Hands down, it's Snape every single time. I can never find consistency with him like other HP characters I draw repeatedly. Frankly, should I expect otherwise?

2. What was the first fandom you ever produced art for?
Harry Potter! I seem to be stuck here... (is this a problem?)

3. Has your experience in fandom changed the way you do art? How?
Absolutely! I've drawn things I would have never thought to just because people have asked. Would I have drawn Sirius' arse otherwise? Probably not. (I'm a Snape girl, but the things you do for friends) And because of two special fanfic writers, I actually had the nerve to keep going in fandom art. (Believe it or not, I'm kinda shy).

4. In a Snape/Harry/(Your team's Mascot) cage match, who wins?
Oh, please. Dragons are fierce critters, but this is Snape we're talking here. The amount of dark magic that man knows? The dragon's going to be roasting on a spit. Some nice potiony marinade applied (I bet Snape's one hell of a cook too). Harry will just be standing there with a sh*t eating grin with his fork in hand. I hear dragon tastes like chicken. And better than Phoenixes - they're too chewy. (Okay Team Phoenix...just a little friendly banter here! Don't hex me!)

5. What are your favourite mediums to work with?
Before my beloved graphic tablet arrived, it was colored pencil and guache. But my Wacom professional 6x11 tablet and the latest version of Photoshop which Santa/hubby brought me has become a rather obsessive habit. (I can quit at anytime, I keep telling people, but I'm really kidding myself).

6. What do you consider your strongest talent? Your weakest?
Strongest: Facial expressions. That comes from years of being a portrait artist. I actually worked at Disneyland! One of those jobs was cutting silhouettes. I apprenticed for six months for that job. I've done tens of thousands of faces. (But I'm not bad at the male chest either, so I'm told). Weakest: still practicing at multiple characters together. Let's face it, most portraits are done with solitary people, smiling or relaxed.

7. Is there a piece of art that you think is your absolute best so far? Would you link it for us?
I'm totally lame; I have no cool website. I've only been doing art again after a ten year sabbatical for about a year now. I only have a few Snarry pieces. The one I'm proudest of (and got some great reviews....thanks people!) is at Walking the Plank: http://www.walkingtheplank.org/archive/viewstory.php?sid=2784

8. What (or who) inspires you in Fandom?
Two writers have been instrumental for inspiring me to keep going in this. I approached ObsidianEmbrace VERY nervously about doing a pic for her WIP story she was writing at the time. (You can find her stories on fanfiction.net and a couple of other websites). She was so wonderful and ooo'd and awww'd and it gave me a ton of self confidence. Before I knew it, I was creating illustrations for many of her chapters, and that taught me a great deal. And helped me "think" of myself as an artist again.

I gushed to her about a great RaeWhit story I'd read and how I wanted to do an illustration from it but was too nervous to email her and ObsidianEmbrace literally "pushed" me to do it. (I wouldn't have put it past her to write the email herself actually...she's a firecracker, that one). So I did, and my first Snarry was born! You can see my illustration for "Down the Rabbit Hole" on WTP. Being RaeWhit, (and you people know her better than I do) are you surprised when she sent me a ton of fest suggestions and basically said, "You're entering, right?" Umm....I didn't think she was going to take no for an answer frankly. And because of her (thanks RaeWhit!) I'm here for the first time in the Games. *looks around nervously*

So ObsidianEmbrace and RaeWhit, I have big squishes for you both! Thanks for being my cheerleaders!

9. Fanfic writers often say the best compliment they can get for their stories is unsolicited fanart. What would you consider the highest form of compliment for your fanart?
Having somebody write something to go with a piece of my art! Are you kidding? I'd walk around like a strutting peacock. (And actually somebody did...you can read the accompanying piece at the above link at WTP).

10. Are you excited about being in the Games this year?
Big time! I hope I make my team proud!

Thank you, veridian_dair! Stay tuned for more interviews and some Opening Games surprises!

(Post a new comment)

	tripperfunster 2008-09-25 10:19 pm UTC (link)
	Welcome aboard, hon! Too bad you're on the team WHO'S ARSE WE'RE GOING TO KICK! :D Just kiddin', of course! I'm sure you'll do great! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-09-25 10:29 pm UTC (link)
	That's really funny, tripp, who's gonna do the kickin'? Since you weigh 80 pounds soaking wet and stand at a little over 4 feet. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	tripperfunster 2008-09-25 10:57 pm UTC (link)
	Ha! You're thinking of Gary Coleman! Add 60 lbs and 12 inches, and you're got me! :D (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

veridari
2008-09-26 11:56 am UTC (link)

Oh, you're a petite thing! I might stand a chance in a cage battle! I am *cough* not petite. And taller.

Oh, who am I trying to kid? It's those petite chicks you have to watch out for. They are always ruthless. You'd kick my ass. I'm a whimp.

(Note to mental self: When/if said cage battle ever happens, at least scowl at her at the end. It might just save one tiny bit of your dignity. Or bring arsenal.)

Oh, were we talking about art here?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greenishmaitai 2008-09-26 02:19 pm UTC (link)
	delurks We petite ladies are like little dogs: small but viscious! Just thought I would put that out there. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	greenishmaitai 2008-09-26 02:21 pm UTC (link)
	Oh! By the way, I love the picture you linked to! It is so beautiful! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-26 02:27 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks the pic compliment! That one really surprised me; it took on a life of it's own. And you know what makes the petite ladies so much worse? You all are so darn adorable while tearing us to shreds. Just so unfair. ;-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	tripperfunster 2008-09-26 06:52 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, I'm not nearly as petite as Cyn's made me out to be, but yeah, I'd totally fight dirty. I make no bones about it. :D (Reply to this) (Parent)

	joanwilder 2008-09-25 10:31 pm UTC (link)
	Yay!! You're gonna do Team Dragon proud, don't let dem chickens scare you! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-26 11:57 am UTC (link)
	With you cheering me on, I feel braver already. :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

inoru_no_hoshi
2008-09-25 11:07 pm UTC (link)

I could get in on that cage match. LMAO! That is such an awesome mental image!

Fandom can be pretty awesome! And festing is an experience that's still fairly new to me as well. But it's oh so fun, and my fest fics are definitely my most read! xD Anyway, don't let those deadlines loom too threateningly. (Waitaminnit, should I be trying to sooth you? If you're nervous and mess up or miss the deadline, then that means more for us Phoenixes, right? *just kidding!* >;D)

On the other hand... THAT is a GORGEOUS piece of art! Wow! I love the hair omigosh! Hee!

~Mara~

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-26 12:00 pm UTC (link)
	I have no idea how I got the image of dragon on a spit. And darn it, if the art meme came out AFTER I'd sent in my interview. I debated redoing it because that image alone would have been a riot to draw, but I didn't find the time. Thanks for the kind words on my art! That's extra special coming from the other team! ;-) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

inoru_no_hoshi
2008-09-26 05:45 pm UTC (link)

Yeah, that would be awesome in art. xDD (I didn't do the art!interview because I figured it'd be way, wayyy too fun a form of procrastination. And I am already awesome at procrastinating - two fest entries due Oct. 6, neither is finished. Haaaa.)

Hee! I've been trying to be nice to everyone, Dragon or Phoenix, with a bit of ribbing now and then. >;D And I'm a sucker for a gorgeous piece of art or awesome fic. Sad, I know, but what's a girl to do? xDD

~Mara~

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	orions_stars 2008-09-26 07:36 am UTC (link)
	I LOVE those Disneyland silhouettes! Just had to say it. Your art is gorgeous and I'm looking forward to your entry. :D (Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-26 12:03 pm UTC (link)
	That Disneyland gig was hands down the most fun job I ever had. LONG hours (do you know how many people come to Disneyland on Thanksgiving and Christmas? I'd do close to 400 people a day on those holidays! We had to keep count because I got paid per person.) Thanks for the kind words...working hard to not disappoint on this fest piece! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	alisanne 2008-09-26 08:10 pm UTC (link)
	That's a gorgeous piece you linked to! drools And is it wrong that I really want to see your rendition of Sirius' arse? ;) I can't wait to see your art! g (Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-26 09:01 pm UTC (link)
	Since you asked, I posted Sirius in my insane journal account (hey, first ever entry!) It's unlocked if you're curious! And thanks for the comments on the other one. Glad you liked it/drooled to it! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	glockgal 2008-09-27 10:32 am UTC (link)
	Hooray for being encouraged by others to keep doing the fanart thing!!! I think that is what makes fandom (and especially HP fandom) so awesome - all the love and encouragement people can find from their peers. It's slightly addictive, HEEEE. YAY TEAM DRAGON!!!!! It's only made that much more better with you on the team, wheeeee! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-27 02:49 pm UTC (link)
	You are the awesomeness, you know that right? You've been my biggest cheerleader and I'm so glad to be your teammate! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	shadowess 2008-09-27 01:39 pm UTC (link)
	You have a talent for anatomy and the little details that make a piece of art more realistic. Like in "Just let yourself feel, Severus" the detail of the depression of Severus' skin by Harry's hands. I'm greatly looking forward to what you create this time! BTW thanks for archiving at WTP! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	veridari 2008-09-27 02:52 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! blushes WTP has been so awesome to me; I love the website! Especially when I totally blew trying to get the first picture loaded and the mods had to help me out big time. I've got the next counterpart to that picture in my head waiting to see the light of day as soon as I get my fest pics done. (Reply to this) (Parent)