Satine Phoenix Interview

 

 

1. As you were growing up in California, when did you realize you were interested in nerd culture? What elements of nerd culture were you involved in?

I was born in 1980, we grew up with He-Man & Voltron & Gummy Bears and Saturday Morning Cartoons. The Hannah Barbara era was ending and Nerd Culture was being born. Dark Crystal, Transformers, Labyrinth and Ghostbusters were all just a part of being a kid. It wasn’t “Nerd Culture” to me, It was just what was available to us and now it’s a nostalgia thing. I don’t identify with Nerd or Geek Culture, it just happens to match the things that i’m interested in.

2. When did you decide that you wanted to work in the art field?

I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler and it wasn’t until I felt I had to pick something for college that I went in the direction of art. Originally I wanted to be a Lawyer but my dad said he’d rather me be a prostitute than a lawyer. Then I wanted to be a microbiologist, but my dad said it was a stupid idea and that they don’t make much money. Then I enrolled in Merchant Marine Academy and a month before classes started I freaked out and realized the only reason I wanted to do that at all was because my dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps (He went to that school) and to travel the world. I realized my life was my own and I could travel the world without joining the Military. And I have. Art School was perfect for me. I’m an actress and an artist in every sense.

3. In college you began to study 2d/ 3d stop motion animation. What made you pursue that type of art? What was your inspiration to get into the field of animation? Do you have a favorite animation?

I was fascinated as a kid with Stop Motion animation like the old 60’s holiday films like Rudolph the Red nose Raindeer and Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. And since I love drawing and sculpting it seemed to be a great way to express myself. As I mentioned before I love cartoons. I love the way they make me feel and I even collect old black & white animations (on vhs). Moving surreal art that evokes emotion. That is what I wanted to be a part of.

My favorite animation is Wizards, pretty much half of the Bakshi library including his version of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings… He inspires me not to make movies like he made, but to make art that speaks to me. To create based on what is bursting out of my heart even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s art. That’s the most important thing I learned from his work. Be yourself.

4. Mid-way into your college career you switched to illustrations and sculptures, was there a reason why you decided to switch?

Taking the classes at the Academy of Art University San Francisco was a big learning experience. I realized that there were nuances to the things I loved that either fit or did not fit my personality. I love 2d animation but I HATE tweening. I love 3D animation but second year Maya class I left a week early to spend time with my family in the Philippines for Xmas and I didn’t get the memo that they would erase all of the servers when school let out for winter break. My entire 3D animation work for the semester was destroyed. So I said F’U to the program and started focusing on Stop Motion. I really love sculpting on the computer so this broke my heart and I didn’t know how to deal with that kind of frustration when I was 20. I loved Stop Motion & Puppet Making class. I had the best teacher ever: Cora Craig. She will always hold a place in my heart. It wasn’t until I started having nightmares about my Stop Motion characters that I realized I should be on the Pre Production end of this stuff like concept art and Directing. So I stuck with Illustration for a couple years until one semester someone stole all of my work out of my favorite Illustration class after the teacher graded my work (I got an A). I was so frustrated that I just quit school after 5 years. I was able to do all of the things I tried so I wasn’t worried about getting a job once I decided on something. Plus, I knew I had an entire lifetime of art to make and there was no reason I had to pick just one thing.

5. After getting a degree from the Academy of Art (University) in San Francisco, where did you want to work?

I didn’t get a degree. I dropped out after 5 years. I knew I didn’t need a degree and 17 years after starting college, I love that I was right. Though, I did dream of working as a concept artist or character designer at Tippett studios or Jim Henson studios. But something in me knew that I was going to be making my own IP.

6. In recent years you have developed a website and a fan base that follows your artwork and your comics. What do you think that is owed to?

Originally I think I lured people online from the adult work I did in my 20’s after quitting college. I knew I was only going to be in my 20’s for a short while so I took full advantage of it by experimenting with stripping, bdsm & pornography. It was SO MUCH FUN! and when I was ready to get back to being an artist, I did. Luckily people have been so supportive in my return to art in 2010. Most people have no idea that I was so… playful in my past. Now most people I talk to know me as this nutty Table top Dungeons and Dragons Gamer. It is true. I’m a fanatic.

7. You are an illustrator on different comics. When did you start to read comics? What was the first comic that you read?

I started reading the Sunday comics at a really young age at my grandma’s house. I was always that girl with glasses who would lock herself in her room and devour piles of books. I remember my collection of Grimm Fairy tales. I loved the illustrations in them. Then one day I fell in love with Bloom County. I must have been 6 or 7. I think my dad collected them and I still have his whole collection. I’ve treasured it my entire life. The comic that got me out of that mode was Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comics. I was obsessed with Death: The High Cost of Living. So much in fact that I wrote Neil when i was 15/16 on the old CC email system and asked him for permission to adapt his book into a play for me to direct in high school. He said yes and I had my boyfriend play the lead male part and my best friend play Didi. It was amazing. I think I still have the VHS around here somewhere.

8. When you first entered the comic industry, who was a mentor to you?

Right around the time I started developing New Praetorians with RK Syrus I somehow ended up being best pals with David Mack. Good friendships just happen. I had been a huge fan of his comic Kabuki since I was in college. I love his inking style. He is unique and his approach to comics is so much more fantastic than I was used to. We would join other artists at life drawing events and he probably didn’t even mean to be a mentor to me, but he was so supportive and encouraging and I learned from the way he drew that he just accidentally fell into the role of mentor. I value his opinion, his experience and his kindness.

9. You have co-created and illustrated the graphic novel New Praetorians. How did you meet your writer RK Syrus?

I mentioned I am a table top gamer, but I’m also crazy about video games. I am very specific about the games I enjoy. Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Puzzle games & World of Warcraft. I met RK over World of Warcraft.

10. How did you come up with the concept?

Both RK & I have the same taste in Science, Sci-Fi, fantasy and entertainment. We were discussing our favorite shows (mine are Dr. Who & Fringe) and as we threw around crazy ideas, that really sprouted from us acting like 6 year olds playing, we realized we wanted something specific. Strong female lead Sci-Fi story that uses the ideas that scientists are developing now to ground our ideas of what the future might hold and how powers might work. I want Science AND emotionally deep characters in one story. I was hanging out at Meltdown Comics at the time and I asked them to recommend a comic like we were looking for. They couldn’t, so we agreed that it was our duty to make it. And we are. We spent an entire year creating the story which we will tell in 27, 60 page issues. I love being a co-creator. RK is a dream to work with. We have our own style working together. He writes, I interpret and edit then Illustrate. He provides images to help nudge the direction he explains. Its pretty rad!

11. In developing this graphic novel what challenges have you faced in creating a strong female character in the sci-fi genre? What are the easy aspects of creating this type of character?

Because I am a strong female character in real life I decided to model the character after myself. A: I’m always around as a model to take pictures of and use as reference so that’s pretty handy. B: As a female who has a vast arsenal of varying experiences and has had to endure pains that most humans don’t have to face (I would never wish 10 years of being molested on any one) I felt that I had a pretty good idea what a multi dimensional character like me would do in a given situation. How she would think internally & what she would do externally. A man only has an idea what a woman would do as a strong female lead. By being a strong female lead I can present a more honest interpretation. I’m not saying that men writing women characters do it wrong, I just feel that I might be able to bring a different perspective to the table. We value the duality of human existence and hope to express that as well, with all of our characters. Nothing in real life is black and white, none of the characters in our book are that simple.

 

 

 

12. This is a sci-fi book, what was your inspiration for creating this graphic novel?

I love pretty much all sci-fi stories that come in the form of movies, tv shows, novels & comics. Good and bad ones. Being a Dungeons and Dragons Game Master for 20 years and an actress who does improv the ideas for the book just comes from RK & my brains. As storytellers our brains work like that :).

13. Besides working on this graphic novel, you have done other things in the art field. One of these was part time for Loyal Subjects. How did you get this job?

The Loyal Subjects are so much fun to work with! My friend Digger Mesch (director of Agent  88) recommended me to them and they liked my work. After working on the first gig with them we realized that we totally understood each other and it was just meant to be. Right now you can see my art on their box covers for Transformers Series 2 & 3.

14. At Loyal Subjects what were the parameters of your job there as an artist?

Make the product they want and make it fast. (luckily I work really fast.)

15. Loyal Subjects focuses on many different brands that are specific. As an artist do you feel that you are limited by these parameters?

Artists are nutty, give us too much leeway and it’ll take us forever to make something. If you want something specific, be specific. I love lots of parameters. If i’m making something for someone else I need that. It helps me focus. If i’m allowed to day dream I will. The drawings I make for them are based on characters and I often have the exact image to make a drawing from and in different angles. It really helps!

16. You have also created artwork for different bands. How do you receive jobs designing for bands?

Usually a friend contacts me directly saying they need a logo. Others, I never ask how they found me, but they just send me an email saying they like my work and want art. So I make art 🙂

17. What are the challenges for designing for a band like Charles Miller or DRTYLVRS? What do you find is easy about designing artwork for these bands?

Bands know exactly what they want. That helps a whole lot! These two bands are close personal friends of mine. The hardest part is the pressure I put on myself to make sure it is super good. I don’t know why it is like that, it just is.

18. Besides illustrating comics, and designing for bands, you also paint. How would you describe your painting style? In your paintings what type of colors do you use primarily? What is your favorite type of subject you enjoy painting?

I don’t think i’m that great of a painter but I love doing it. I’m still finding my style as a painter. I love ink. LOVE LOVE LOVE ink! and glaze. I’m not so good with color but I haven’t done as much of it as I have other mediums. I usually paint on the computer but I have a couple of commissions due that are full color traditional paintings and I use whatever color palate and style the item calls for. If I need something cartoony I will use bright colors. If I need something more realistic then i’ll make it look like that. My favorite stuff of mine are the black and white inks of fantasy characters with clear glaze. Love drawing elves and dragons!

19. Outside of the art world you have been involved in acting and modeling.  How did you first come across modeling?

I did some modeling for friends in high school and college and even did some runway modeling for bridal fashion shows. It was a fun hobby and a way my friends hang out. Photoshoot and a movie. Dinner and a photoshoot. Creative people are like that. I don’t really know how to just hang out, i’m learning, but its not as much fun as the way my artist friends play. Its just a hobby. … although I wouldn’t mind getting paid for it now.

20. When did you start Cosplaying? When did you begin to Cosplay as characters from the Dungeon & Dragon series? In developing these Cosplay outfits did you have any help? Out of all the characters you have Cosplayed do you have a favorite? If you could Cosplay as any character which character would it be and why?

I just like playing dress up. I never really dressed up as a specific character until recently for the “Women of Geekdom” calendar (I was Didi) and then again for Neil Gaiman’s ALS ice bucket challenge… where I was also dressed up as Didi. The characters I do dress up as are my Dungeons and Dragon Characters. Or just elven characters I dream up in my head. I really REALLY REALLY want to figure out how to make Sienna McKnight’s costume from New Praetorians. I may have designed it to one day cosplay .

21. Your acting career has been aimed at the video game and tabletop subcultures. How did you get involved in “Pen, Paper & Laser Guns”?

 

 

My friend Bruce Monach, from the Dungeons and Dragons group I started at Meltdown Comics (DnDMelt) said “Hey, do you want to be in my web series?”. I said yes!

 

22. You have also appeared as Elf at the “Goblin Tea Party” produced by Geek & Sundry, how did you receive this job? What did you enjoy about appearing in this video?

My friend Shawn Strider said “Hey, do you want to be in this fun tea party video i’m making?” I said yes. (i’m the BIGGEST Labyrinth Masquerade fan so anything I can do to help them I do.. also their crew are so incredibly fun to play with! #lojmasquerade labyrinthmasquerade.com)

23. In the gaming sub-culture you have developed a web-series “I Hit It with My Axe”, which was distributed through the online magazine the Escapist. How did you formulate the idea for the show? When you were the filming the web-series was it challenging or was it like a typical game of D&D?

I didn’t develop it, I was just one of the fun ladies in it. My friend Zak Smith put it together. I’ve been playing D&D for 20 years now though there was a brief moment I took a break from playing. Back in 2006 I moved to Australia with a boyfriend and we started playing games out there. I came back to America all amped up and explained to Zak & Mandy how awesome the game was and they too fell in love with it and started the show “I Hit it With my Axe.”

24. Growing up you have been involved in table top games how did you first come across these games? Which was your first game that you played?

I remember my dad pulling out the Dungeons and Dragons RED BOX from our basement storage and explaining it to me. I started making characters immediately. I was really young. It wasn’t until I was 15 that I found friends who also played. I love Dungeons and Dragons. I’m very particular. I’ve tried other games but am obsessed with specifically this game.

25. You are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons.  Do you have a favorite class or creature you like to play?

Since I was 15 i’d been making the same character with slightly different names: Vlahnya, Lahnya, Ahnya.. etc. Elf multiclass Theif/Mage. There was a time I liked making catwomen lycanthropes. I do love my character: Mirror from I Hit it With My Axe. And this Melee Warlock i’ve been playing for the past two years: Stone Amber. Bruce Monach is the DM for that game and he even made a MFC (Magic Fighting Championships) tournament based off UFC rules.

26. Playing D&D and being part of the Masonic Fraternity, how supportive are they to the D & D community?

My D&D and Masonic life have never crossed. I was a rainbow girl from 11-18 and never played with anyone in the group though I knew that some of the boys in DeMolay played. Now as an Eastern Star it just doesn’t come up in conversation. They are two different hobbies that fulfill two different parts of me. I do know a lot of Masons who do play D&D.

27. You have created the charity CelebrityChariD20.com, which puts on a custom D & D event with celebrities. How did you develop the concept for this idea?

Growing up in the Masonic Fraternity my youth was filled with Charity events and a life of service to the community. My 20s were void of that kind of kindness so I wanted to put together a Charity event where my friends could hang out and do the things they love doing (getting together and playing) and raise money for a children’s literacy program at the same time. Since reuniting with the part of me that is actively dedicated to Charity and Service my soul is much happier.

28. Who is involved in helping you create these games and how are they modified based on the celebrities who are willing to play? If you could have any celebrity play D & D who would it be?

I am a HUGE Keith Baker fan. He created Eberron, one of the 4 worlds of Dungeons and Dragons. We’ve become close friends over the years and we love any reason to create and game together. He’s been kind enough to create custom adventures for us to play for the event.

We live stream this at Meltdown Comics. The owners are like family to me and have been so supportive about throwing this kind of event!

I would love for SO MANY more people to play in our games but we only have room for 20 people. The humans I would love to join our table at the next game would be Wil Wheaton, Kevin Smith, Felicia Day & Vin Diesel.

29. How did you decide the money raised would go to Reach Out and Read?

I specifically wanted to promote Childhood literacy. My Grandmother was my best friend growing up and she was a huge book nerd and encouraged that in me too. I would tell her what my favorite stories were and she would be my own personal storyteller, creating stories for me to illustrate. It was very bonding and reading is such a huge part of my life even today. If I can help other children experience that kind of happiness that leads to a life full of imagination and creativity, I must.

Reach out and Read specifically puts books into pediatricians offices and trains pediatricians to teach Parents the importance of reading to children and putting books in the hands of children as young as 6 months old. The doctors then give the books to the families so they have them in their possession.