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I received an email from a lovely individual by the name of Arianna, who is working on a project for the aromantic community. She asked if I wouldn’t mind giving her a signal boost and I agreed. Note this is open to all members of the aromantic community, not just aromantic asexuals.
Hi! I am currently working on a project for the aromantic community, and am looking for aromantic artists willing to share their work. I am looking for visual art such as (paintings, drawings, etc.), poetry, books, and music. I will disclose the project in more detail for interested parties. Contact me [at] assemble-the-fangirls or through my email, arospecinitative@gmail.com. All artists will be credited and linked.
So if you’re interested, please drop Arianna a line. I’m super interested to see what comes of this project 😀
Today we’re joined by Midnightcity. Midnightcity is an amazingly talented visual artist. They work professionally in animation and they sent along some incredibly striking images that I really enjoyed looking over. One can just see the creative mind shining through. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Zero 2
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
My art tends to feature monsters, wizards and/or robots (my three fave food groups).
I started drawing with ink and markers at an early age, and slowly shifted to digital art somewhere in my teens. I was never partial to realism, so most of what I draw tends to be very fantasy based.
What inspires you?
Inspiration comes from a lot of different sources. Growing up, I devoured animated films like Miyazaki’s Spirited Away and Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas. Those definitely left creative impressions on me in terms of the kind of aesthetic I enjoy in art, and also the kind of whimsy I enjoy in story-telling.
As I got older, I became more interested in stuff like theoretical sciences and philosophy. I like to attempt to use those abstract themes in my own stories and characters.
Zero
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been drawing since as long as I can remember. As soon as I became old enough to realize that I’d have to pretend to be competent at something in exchange for money, I was determined to turn my hobby into a career, because to be honest, I had no idea what else I would be able to do, haha.
Animation was the field I focused on in particular, because I have always loved creating characters and telling stories about their lives, and I wanted to be a part of that process on a collaborative scale.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
EYES. Weird eyes, small eyes, eyes of an incorrect number. I’ll put eyes on anything so WATCH OUT.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Draw what you love, write what you love — make what you love! The more you enjoy creating, the more your passion will shine through in your artwork. It’s a real, quantifiable thing that people can see.
Marine
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I am asexual + aromantic.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not so much out-right prejudice, but ignorance certainly seems to be pretty much everywhere. It’s definitely tough to find narratives that feature canon asexual characters. I would love to be a contributor to change in that way.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Usually either that asexuality isn’t a real thing, or that it is a disorder of some sort. Also, I think a lot of the underlying assumption about asexuality is that it means ace individuals are somehow ‘immature’. Sex and the desire to participate is such an overused, overrated aspect of what it means to be mature.
Cro
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Don’t let people erase your identity just because they don’t understand it. You are the only person who knows who you truly are, and you’re the only person who has any right to label yourself. Your identity can change as you grow, too, so you should never feel rushed into figuring it all out.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Teresa Santos. Teresa is an amateur writer and photographer. She’s a very versatile photographer and the images she sent along are absolutely lovely. Her writing isn’t public yet, but if her photography is anything to go by, this is an artist who has an incredibly bright future ahead of her. My thanks to her for taking part in this interview.
Cosplay photos
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I’m an amateur writer and photographer, two types of art I have dabbled in for years but never quite took to the next level. Fingers crossed that’ll change soon! In terms of writing, I write mostly short fantasy stories and have been slowly writing two YA novels, one fantasy, one contemporary.
As for photography, I do a little bit of everything: landscape, wildlife, urban, portrait – when I manage to go to a con or a medieval fair -, experimental, and travel photography. It all depends on where I go and what happens there that captures my eye.
What inspires you?
Nature, first and foremost. I’m a biologist by trade, so animals and the environment always seem to sneak into whatever I do. As do fairytales and everything magic. It may sound like a contradiction, but I’ve found that if there is a contrast between magic and science, there are also points where the two meet. Both the contrast and the blur, and the feelings they evoke, pique my interest. Current affairs and people’s perception also play a huge part in everything I make, especially LGBTQ+ issues and politics.
But nothing at all would come of it, if it wasn’t for the work of greater artists, whom I shan’t name because there are so many of them I’m bound to forget some and then chastise myself for it. Let’s just say it’s a combination of books, music (and musicals), films, and Flickr/DeviantArt artists.
Dwarf Mongoose I
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’m not quite sure, to be honest. I have liked writing and photography ever since I was a child. At the age of nine, I would make little illustrated books in the winter, and cut my family’s heads in a group photo in the summer. Even when my notebooks were full and my parents had hold of the camera, I’d be begging for more paper and a camera of my own so I could capture everything. At fourteen, I knew that the only way to be happy was to pursue science without letting go of art. At nineteen, I’d be binge reading a series instead of studying for exams and taking my camera to every field trip. Now, I use every free moment I can to immerse myself in colour and storytelling. Art was always part of me, I suppose. I just never learned how to turn it into a “job”.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Not that I’m aware of. However, some friends have told me I have the tendency to heighten colours and contrasts, and use a lot of greens and browns (is that the influence of Biology again?) in my photography. Looking at it, it is probably a very good point.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Take your tools of the trade everywhere, be it a camera or a notebook (unless it’s very heavy, in which case, don’t or you’ll seriously damage your back and shoulders – nobody ever warns you about that!). Live life with wide eyes and pay attention. When you feel like giving up, take a walk. You never know what might happen. Sometimes the simple blowing of a leaf or the angle of the light can spark a brand new idea or breathe life into an old one.
Owl
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as aromantic asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
All writers I communicate with are either 100% fine with LGBTQ+ or part of the community themselves, so I never spotted much prejudice there. As for the photography crew, it’s mostly composed of fellow biologists who feel such wonder about the world that they mostly don’t do or say anything horrible about asexuality. If anything, they ask me what it’s like, if there is any physiological or epigenetic explanation of it, and so on. It’s all very curiosity based.
I did say mostly though. I’ve had two instances where the reaction was not exactly positive, but not from photographers. They were two, at the time, fellow biology undergraduates. The first, who was convinced I was a lesbian because I had never had a boyfriend whilst everyone else in my year got around, was astonished at my explanation of asexuality. When he recovered from the shock, he proclaimed the now famous “So you’re an amoeba. Are you going to sprout an extra arm soon?” and laughed awkwardly. I suppose he acted like that because the concept was very new to him and he didn’t know how to react to someone “outing” themselves, especially in a way he did not expect.
The second case (or first really, if we’re doing this timewise) happened shortly after I began identifying myself as an aro ace. At the time, I was really lost on what to do. Should I out myself? Should I keep quiet? Did people in my country even know about asexuality?
So who did I decide to turn to? Why, the only publicly gay man in my course. The conversation barely lasted longer than a minute. After I told him I was ace and explained it to him, he turned to me and said, “Come back to me in ten years and tell me that again.” I insisted I knew what I was saying. “In ten years, tell me again,” he repeated.
Other than that, I’ve just had the usual “oh you haven’t met the right man yet” or “you’re too young, there’s time” or “I used to think the same way but I changed my mind” from acquaintances and family members, but they’re neither in my fields, nor do they know I identify as ace. But again, I doubt they’ve ever even heard of asexuality.
Plants and Big Ben
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
From my personal experiences, that it doesn’t exist. Although I’ve scarcely ever put a name to it when speaking of how natural it was for people to feel little or no sexual attraction, people’s reactions are nearly always the same. They shake their heads, they laugh, they say that “no, everyone wants to have sex with someone. That’s what makes us human”, or they suggest that such people have a medical problem and should go to the doctor quickly. Ah, erasure, you clinging fiend!
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Don’t force yourself into the shoes of someone you’re not. You don’t owe anybody sex, romance, children or anything else. Your body is your body. As is everything it contains, spirit, mind and organs. You don’t owe anyone anything, no matter what they say. Even though it’s hard, even if you just want to fit in, it’s alright to be different. Everyone is different from everyone, no matter what people say. Find out what you want for the moment and stick to it. If it changes in the future, well, that’s part of character development. If it doesn’t, it’s part of it too. Know your limits and wishes, and embrace them. And if you can, if you have the luck of living near other asexuals, go meet them. If you don’t, the internet is a wonderful place for meeting them, be it on Twitter, Tumblr, or even Facebook. Go ahead, talk to other aces or just watch them from afar. Understand two fundamental truths:
You’re not alone.
You’re not broken.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
To access my writing, you would have to find seven keys – one in each continent -, to open a chest buried in the pit of a sleeping volcano in a remote island, guarded by a six headed dragon. Inside, you would see a computer. But to access it, you would have to swim to the bottom of the ocean and find the stone under which the password is written. Beware, there are hidden mermaids and a mighty kraken awaiting anyone who comes near.
Today we’re joined by Rose Titus. Rose is an author whose novella, “Night Home,” was released by Bathory Gate Press and is available through Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble online. Rose tends to write mostly horror and has a regular feature in Blood Moon Rising, an online horror magazine. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I am a writer, but not a full time writer, I have a day job to support myself since I don’t make much from writing … like most writers and artists! Anyway, I’ve had short stories published in literary magazines such as Lost Worlds, Lynx Eye, Bog Gob, Wicked Wheels, Weird Terrain, Blood Moon Rising, The Dead River Review, Mausoleum, and many others… I have a regular feature in Blood Moon Rising called “The Rose Files,” which is basically “True Scary Stories From Life.” My novella “Night Home” has recently been published with Bathory Gate Press and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble .com, and Smash Words. I write mainly fantasy and horror fiction, but also since I’ve had the experience of restoring a classic car I’ve had articles published in antique car magazines as well. I also consider the old car project sort of a creative endeavor, by the way.
What inspires you?
Everything … every small thing that occurs in life is an inspiration. Every little thing in life has significance, even if most people fail to notice.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always loved to read, but while reading someone else’s story or book, I often found myself saying, ‘I could have done this better.’
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
It sound like a cliché, but, “don’t quit your day job, kid.” Work all day, do creative stuff at night. Stay sober, don’t get into drugs. Too many creative people go down that path. It leads to nowhere. And just because you’re talented is no guarantee you’ll be famous overnight.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Aromantic Asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I am aware that there is so much horrible ignorance out there, and the stories I have heard from others, threats of rape, threats of death … I just don’t tell very many people. I let people believe I’m nothing but a tragic spinster … with a cat. I’d rather they simply just pity me than waste my time trying to explain. I don’t anticipate many people of my personal acquaintance will be aware of the “Asexual Artist” project since very few people (in real life) that I associate with are even aware that asexuality exists, and probably won’t see this online anyway … 🙂 That is, I don’t anticipate many people of my acquaintance will even notice this, so go ahead and put it on your website, girl … (Oh heck, most people in my life don’t even know I had a book published because they will say, ‘you write about vampires! Eeek!’ and wave crosses at me!)
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That we don’t exist, that we have no emotions, that we can’t be creative because of the myth that creativity “comes from the sex drive” – maybe for some people it does, but creativity can exist on its own, also … plus the usual stupid stuff, ‘you just need a good rape to straighten you out,’ etc. People are terribly uneducated, so this is why these projects are important.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Just be yourself, don’t worry about trying to be like everyone else. And be careful who you tell. People can be a lot stupider and more vicious than a lot of young people realize.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Please look up Blood Moon Rising magazine online (http://bloodmoonrisingmagazine.com/index.html) to see some of my work – it’s a great online horror magazine that’s been around for about ten years with a lot of good writing. Please look for my book on Amazon. And if you would like, please visit my author Facebook page.
Thank you so much Rose for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Victoria Marina Rojas. Victoria is a fantastically talented illustrator. She’s an illustration major and plans to be a children’s book illustrator. If her art is anything to go by, Victoria has a very bright future ahead of her. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I am an illustration major with a goal to become a children’s book illustrator! I especially love drawing monsters! I usually draw on Photoshop CS6, with the lasso tool and pen tool. It’s super fun to draw with shapes and experiment with colors!
What inspires you?
Different things! Stop motion, Cubism, old illustrated books, etc. Book illustrations I really love, horror and fantasy. I aspire to be a book illustrator myself, especially a children’s book illustrator. Book illustrations inspire me so much, their and use of visual storytelling, composition, and colors (when an illustration has them) is just so fascinating and gorgeous.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been drawing since I was in pre-school, I think. My interest grew as I got older. The more I looked at book illustrations, the more my desire to become an illustrator grew.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Nope. Sometimes I just write my nickname (Vicky) and year.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Practice is great. Challenging yourself is good as well from studying life and references. However, I hear a lot of the “Draw everyday until your hand falls off, even if you’re reluctant!” But I must say: Take breaks when you can!! I’m not opposed to drawing everyday, but some just can’t do it. And that’s OKAY. Everyone progresses at their own pace, some fast, others slowly. It can REALLY stress many artists rather than motivate them if they force something they’re not comfortable doing at the moment. Take your time. If you need a break or just don’t want to draw for the day, then that’s perfectly fine. Art blocks will happen, too. Drawing can be frustrating but that’s ok. Set a comfortable pace for yourself and rest when you can. Whatever your pace is, you’re still an artist. You got this.
Art is a valid path in life, as well. Many will think art is a pointless thing to go into and that your future is doomed if you wish to create for a living. That is NOT correct.
Also, explore different mediums! If you’re not comfortable with one, you may be with another. And who knows, you may find multiple ones you love!!
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m an Aromantic Asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
No, because nobody asks about my sexuality. Unless it’s a topic we’re discussing, or if they simply ask, I wouldn’t bring it up. Though I have spoke to a few who were curious, they still understood and accepted afterward and that’s good. My friends are accepting as well. More acceptance is a must.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
I haven’t met any who gave me trouble for being an aromantic asexual since I don’t get asked about my asexuality. I still see misconceptions online, though, even If not directed at me personally. A lot think that having sex is a must, and that is not true. There’s nothing wrong for not wanting it, or not wanting a partner in general, whether sexual or romantic. It’s also not good to think that asexual and aromantic are the same thing, or that asexuals don’t love at all. I’m perfectly happy with no partner, but that doesn’t mean other aces aren’t interested in romantic relationships! Resources and research are friends.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
If ANYONE says you’re weird, unnatural or broken, they’re wrong. You are awesome.
Questioning your orientation and where you are on the spectrum is totally fine, and it’s ok if your orientation shifts over time. You know you best. And whoever dares to shame you for who you are, they are gross jerks.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Rylie. Rylie is a wonderfully talented aro-ace poet and fanfiction writer who is incredibly enthusiastic about writing. As she states in her interview, she writes a lot. Chances are we’ll be seeing a lot of her work in the future. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I write. A lot. Like, seriously a lot. Most of it is fanfiction, but I also do a lot of poetry, and I’ve dabbled in some slam poetry. That was actually how I came out to most of my friends.
(Sometimes I pretend I can draw or make other types of art, but the only people who are impressed are under the age of 8, so.)
What inspires you?
For poetry, usually reading other poetry. Listening to slam poems. For fanfiction, sometimes nothing, or sometimes the strangest things. Sometimes I write for prompts, but not all the time. Inspiration is a fickle thing for me.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always been a writer. I remember when I was young, sneaking into the bathroom at night because I hid a notepad and pen underneath the bathtub. That way I’d have an excuse if my parents caught me.
Being a writer was sort of always a job option, but medicine took precedence. Writing will always be a hobby though.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Not really? A lot of my work is pretty concise, and not overly detailed. Eloquent, I suppose.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Oh man. Keep going, I guess. Just keep going. Don’t ever delete anything or throw anything out. Sure, it may be awful, but you’ll look back on it one day and be happy that you kept it, because you can see how far you’ve come. Progress is important.
And some days you’ll feel like everything you come up with is shit. That’s okay too. Keep going. You’ll get through it.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as asexual aromantic.
(Although to be honest, I don’t know how to tell friendships apart from romantic relationships, but that’s more a social skills deficit than anything else, I think.)
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I’m not out to most people (family), but my friends had a great response to my coming out slam poem. That was really great. (A girl actually came up to me and thanked me for it, because she thought that there was something wrong with her. That made me happy.)
When I’ve posted things for ace awareness week, people have asked me about it, and made some comments that made me uncomfortable.
There was also an incident in a LGBTQ group at school where someone made a comment about asexuality that was kind of hurtful, especially for it being a safe space.
Mostly it’s tough because no one knows it exists.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
Its existence. A lot of people don’t know about asexuality, or demisexuality, or aromanticism at all. That makes it tough to come out when you constantly have to defend yourself and explain.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
It’s okay if you don’t figure it out right away. Don’t let anyone tell you that your experiences aren’t valid, because they are. You’re the one who knows you the best.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Today we’re joined by Tyhnu. Tyhnu is a wonderfully talented digital artist. I really loved looking at their work, which is colorful and vibrant and just really interesting. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I am mainly a digital artist; rarely dipping into watercolours, inks and pencil crayons when I feel like it. I draw lots of aliens, monsters and various odd cute things. I think the best way to summarize my work in general terms is “dark but cute”.
Though to be fair my definition of “cute” doesn’t always fit everyone else’s.
What inspires you?
So many things. Books, music, cartoons, games, current events, personal experiences, dreams, nature, etc. Life is a fountain of inspiration if you’re paying attention.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
As a small child I started drawing to express my chronic night terrors and never really stopped since. I never actually started taking it seriously however until I was about 17 years old and I regret not starting sooner. For some reason no one ever thought to tell me I could pursue art professionally and I’ve been working to improve my skills ever since. Seriously, if you’re young right now and think you want to pursue art as a career, start working hard immediately. The sooner you start the better.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
There is one thing you’ll see showing up in my art fairly often and that is a red rosary. A lot happened to me when I was 4 years old which I’m still coping with today. The red rosary I draw is based on the real red rosary that I still own, given to me from my father’s funeral. It’s a symbolic representation of carrying the burden of my past, stained by blood and religion.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Draw often, draw with variety and don’t shy away from what you suck at. Most of us have that one thing we’re really good at that we draw aaaaall the time and that’s all fine and well; but if you seriously want to see improvements you need to take the things you struggle with and wrestle them to the ground. It might be a hideous mess at first but know that it’s okay to fail. Keep trying. Embrace the shit.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Aromantic/Asexual. I think it’s relevant to add that I’m also agender but normally present as female by default since women tend to get treated better socially.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I hardly ever mention my asexuality unless absolutely necessary or if someone outright questions me about the black ring I wear. In about half of these instances I’ve had a negative reaction of some kind and no amount of polite explaining seems to get through people like that. They’ve already made up their minds so I generally proceed to ignore the entirety of their existence.
The worst though was with my mother, since I can’t just use the above tactic. It took her years to stop bothering me about getting married and having children (she basically had her vision of my future planned for me from the beginning, forcing me to go through communion/confirmation specifically so I would have a wedding in a church); but I can tell she still secretly hopes I’ll “find the right one” and magically change. And that’s not even touching how the rest of my family gossips about how I must be a lesbian if I’m not married and pregnant by now.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
“The Right One”TM
That magical unicorn man who will turn me into a heterosexual woman eager to abandon her personal dreams and spew out uteran dumplings for the rest of her life.
The fun aspect of this one though is that people who say this and then spend enough time around me will soon notice that my brain quite simply doesn’t work that way at all (oblivious to flirting, not catching innuendos and subtle references to pregnancy, not having any desire whatsoever to interact with babies, forgetting that nudity is socially considered bad, etc). There is no super secret hidden heterosexual woman to unlock. Sure there are days where I wish it was that easy to “become normal” but that person would literally not be me anymore.
I’d rather just get another snake honestly.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
It’s okay to not be sure, especially if you’re young and surrounded by pressure to choose a label right now. When I was a teenager I thought I was bisexual, as I was uninterested in either gender and figured that meant I must be sexually attracted to both somehow (dat aro-ace logic).
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I’m predominantly active on my Tumblr blog and usually post things there first; but I post a lot of other things besides my art there too so if you don’t want any of that my DeviantArt is your best bet.
I am currently developing a comic based on my personal experiences with alien abduction (evidently the main character will be aro-ace) called Bolgia Seven; so you’ll likely be seeing work related to that in the future. I plan to be ready to start releasing the comic this coming Halloween and if it does well I intend to donate half of all profits towards the conservation of animals, forests and oceans.
Thank you so much, Tyhnu, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by Erin A. Erin is an aspiring author who is going to be attending university in the fall to study creative writing. Her work tends to include very diverse characters, including quite a few aces. I cannot wait to see her future work as it’s likely to be amazing. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I am an aspiring author. I always make several of my main characters MOGAI in my work. Typically, my heroine is asexual because that’s what I am, but they usually have several friends who are gay, pansexual, or otherwise queer.
I prefer to write fantasy, though I have dabbled in poetry.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the books I read as a child and the beautiful people around me. One of my favorite devices of storytelling is the “true story,” as used by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi in the Spiderwick Chronicles. When I was little, I really believed in the world they created; and upon learning the truth, it never felt like a lie. It felt like a possibility.
When it comes to my peers, they often inspire me to create more diverse characters, ones who are neuroatypical, suffering physical disabilities, or facing loss. My own struggles with epilepsy have also influenced the way my characters react to personal difficulties.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
My grandmother and father always encouraged my artistry, and the constant book-reading of my childhood made becoming an author an almost-immediate dream. Although I initially wanted to be a “dancing princess,” my interest in the arts in some form was apparent.
After I quit ballet, I immediately decided I would focus on becoming an author-illustrator. I wanted to make people fall in love with my characters and worlds as I had with so many, from Harry Potter to The Dark Is Rising.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
As of now, the closest I have to a signature is my actual signature. I do sign some artwork with it. My name is 13 letters long, so I shorten it to six letters.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Keep on trying. The more you work towards your goal, the more likely you are to achieve it.
Let others see. I know you may want to hide your work; to you, it is imperfect, or lacking. But the positivity of your peers and loved ones, even complete strangers, gives you an important confidence boost.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as asexual aromantic. I’m completely baffled by relationships on a personal level, though I think they are beautiful when it comes to the rest of the world. I’m also somewhat sex-averse; whenever I imagine myself in a sexually-charged situation, I can’t help but laugh at it.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
As of now, I haven’t, but I wouldn’t be surprised if an editor or publisher told me I needed romance and/or sex to make my book readable or exciting. If that were to happen, I would try to stand my ground and emphasize that if they find asexuality implausible or boring, then they need to tell me if I am either of those, as well. If they don’t understand, I’ll go find someone else to help me.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
So far, the only person to resist my being asexual has been my mother. While she believes it exists, she associates it with bad hygiene, boringness, and unkemptness. She claims that because I care about my appearance and am a happy, cheerful person I cannot possibly be asexual.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Find others online. Tell people you trust in real life. You are not alone, and they may make you feel like the struggle is shared.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
So far, my work is all fan fiction, which can be found on Archive Of Our Own under the username ErLiAu and on Fan Fiction Net as ErinLisaA. One work or two are silly, but all are worth reading. I have one story on wattpad, but it is the first chapter of one of my other stories.
Thank you so much, Erin, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Today we’re joined by T. Hueston. T. Hueston is a veterinarian and an incredibly talented sculptor. Their animal sculptures are just so remarkably beautiful (and cruelty-free). I was seriously just staring at the images they sent in complete awe. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I love to design and make soft sculptures out of faux fur and wire. I draw upon my expertise as a veterinarian to make realistic animal and fantasy sculptures.
Some of my favorite pieces are Poochie the Shetland sheepdog, designed after a three-legged dog who belongs to one of my friends, and my Howling Wolf Anthro pieces, a collection of anthropomorphic wolves. It was also a pleasure to work on Charity the Goffin’s Cockatoo. She was based on a real cockatoo, and I puzzled over how to best create a feathered animal with fabric. I ultimately made the wire base first, and then I sewed fake leather over the wire to produce a more life-like appearance. I custom-molded and lacquered the beak to match the desired color and texture. Feathers were individually cut, shaped, and fastened on an armature shaped like the bony portion of a bird’s wings, and I replicated the feather pattern of real cockatoos. It was a fun challenge, to say the least.
What inspires you?
Nature and biology. I’m just holding a mirror to the natural world.
Poochie the Shetland Sheepdog
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always been scientifically-minded, and enjoyed thinking about and working with animals. Biology is particularly fascinating to me. I love learning how every species functions in its environment and adapts to changes. Currently, I work full-time as a veterinarian.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in our work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I have always loved wolves, and I enjoy incorporating them into my artwork.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Draw exactly what you want to draw. Many artists are frustrated by lack of interest in their art. For many years before I found a medium that other people seemed to prefer, I did not enjoy much interest in my art. Honestly, don’t feel pressure to make something that does not personally interest you.
Charity the Cockatoo
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I am an aromantic asexual.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Many people who don’t believe that asexual people exist assume that I am either hetero or homosexual. I usually try to correct this misconception and explain myself. Unfortunately, some people still refuse to believe me and insist that my “true” orientation will emerge after I meet the “right” person or get over a phase. I ignore these ignorant people.
I think we need more representation of QLGBTA characters in media in general.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That my asexuality will be reversed when I am introduced to the right person.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Embrace your difference. Don’t let people convince you that you aren’t human because you don’t feel sexual attachment, and don’t feel forced to do anything that you don’t want to do. Members of the QLGBTA spectrum often face unique social barriers on the path to happiness. Find a supportive social community and consider reaching out to support groups.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Asexual Artists 