I first discovered the artist known as Aphrodite-NS on the wonderful art site known as deviantart. I was just looking at some random Star Wars related art submissions when I came across these awesome pictures of Darth Talon from the Star Wars Legacy comics. My mind was blown at how good these images were. In fact I downloaded the image you see of Darth Talon and Darth Maladi at beginning of this interview as my desktop and I have continued to use it as my desktop off and on for the past couple of years. Anyway, I added her to my watch list and have enjoyed her art ever since. I have even posted some of her stuff on my blog Derf’s Domain as well as my tumblr. Lately, she has been focusing her talents on comic characters so I knew I had to share her work with my fellow NERDs here at somewhatnerdy. Without further ado, here is my interview with digital artist, Aphrodite-NS.
1. Who are you and where are you from?
When it comes to the internet I like to go by my internet alias, which is Aphrodite. I have been gaming online since 1997 and lets just say that I have run into some sickos out there, some who have even gone as far as leaving anonymous gifts on my doorstep. Aphrodite is the name of my first character I ever created in Ultima Online, and the same name I brought with me to Star Wars Galaxies.
As for my location, I am from Portland, Or.
2. I just love your style! What software do you use for your digital art?
I started out using DAZ3D a few years back. It was a great beginners tool to get into 3D rendering. As time went on I wanted a program that was more powerful and capable of more things, so I moved onto PoserPro. I would like to use even more powerful renders out there, as well as learn how to model my own stuff, but the (good) programs to do that are upwards of $5000.00 in some cases, and while most people just steal those types of programs from torrent sites, I am quite frankly to scared to do so. I’d probably just get a virus on my PC anyways, lol.
I also use a Photoshop a great deal. Mostly in post work, but also recently in custom and modified textures. I have been using Photoshop since 1993 and it is one of those programs that you can never learn everything about it. Even after all these years I am still unlocking its potential.
3. I first feel in love with your art when I saw your version of Darth Talon, do you have a favorite Star Wars character that you have brought to life in your wonderful artwork?
I have yet to bring my favorite Star Wars characters to life in render format (Mara Jade Skywalker, Jaina Solo and Vestara Kai). My favorite character to work with is one of my own creation. Azra’dite Vao (a play with her original name of Aphrodite)
In Star Wars Galaxies I discovered the hobby of roleplaying, and for 7+ years I role-played Azra’dite on a near daily basis.
Darth Talon would of course by my favorite Star Wars character to render that was not of my own creation. I think its almost time to break her out, tweak and improve upon her skin map and model and do a new render of her.
4. What inspired you to be an artist?
Been drawing since I was a little kid. Dolls and playing house may have been other little girls favorite things to do, but my mother would bring me home one of those 100 page sketch pads and I would have it filled up within the week.
5. Where can my readers see your art?
DeviantArt is best aphrodite-ns.deviantart.com/ (some images are NSFW)
6. Besides Star Wars, I have noticed that you are now doing characters from DC and Marvel comics, what brought about this idea?
I have a love hate relationship with comics. I love the art (Jim Lee is the best) but since the late 90’s the stories and the endless crossovers make me want to stab someone with a rusty ice pick. Strangely enough, I almost never buy any comic books, I just steal my boyfriends. *evil grin* As for what brought the idea about, we recently attended Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle and all the cosplay sparked the idea.
7. What is your favorite project that you have done?
Perhaps because they are my newest pieces, but I really liked doing the X-Girls. It was challenging for me, every suit but Storms is a custom texture map done by me. It taught me a lot about bump maps and how to do transparencies. I was really happy with how close I got the outfits to look to the ones in the comic books.
8. What are your plans for the future?
Modeling my own props and models is a long term goal of mine. In the short term I am in search of new projects to create. With Star Wars Galaxies no longer being live and Star Wars the Old Republic being pretty much anti-role play, I am lacking new inspiration.
