Interview - Maded Shepherd

In this interview we will be talking with Maded Shepherd. We have seen some of his unique art works on Flickr and asked if he was interested in an interview, which he kindly agreed. 

Firstly, I would like to thank you for doing this interview. Could you give our readers a little bit of information about who you are? 

Yes, but let me start by thanking you for the interest in my artwork - much appreciated. 

My name is Maded Shepherd and I am a photographer in Second Life. I have been told to have a very own dark fantasy style that is appealing to many people. You can judge so for yourself by visiting by visiting my Second Life art gallery. 

I started in 2007 and had great fun working for shops and Second Life models making portfolios and glamour shots, which I loved to do. I still do that, but only on a commercial basis. 

For fun and distracting from my busy real life, I have specialized myself in fantasy art work and fire erotica. 

My gallery, which is the Funky Art Gallery, is based on fantasy art work. I am influenced by two great fantasy artists - Valejo and royo - of which Royo fascinates me the most. Since a year I am almost expermimenting heavily with 3D art work, which I would like to do at least for 50% next to my Second Life work for models, couples and private projects. 

I love playing Second Life, both in my work as an artist and privately with my dear Second Life wife Ngel. I am constantly amazed by the sheer beauty of my models, their trust in me and their willingness to be patient and pose for me in my studio. I see new skins every month and beautiful clothing sets, both fantasy and realistic. It brings their characters to life - fantastic. 

Based on your Flickr account, you have a wide variety of different styles, both in photography and post-processing. Is there a style in specific that you like ? 

I do not agree with that. Of course, if one reads my profile then they will read that I will do model portfolios, couples, fine nudes and erotic photography - but it will all be in my style. I think my pictures are very recognizable indeed, as I do skin treatments that are unlike most other Second Life photographers.

You should realize that a simple screenshot in Second Life is not enough. In order to get the result that we all like, we rely on heavy post -processing in Photoshop and other graphical software that allows us to create the virtual beauty we want to see. 

I work especially long times on the skin and less on the scenery. And they eyes, they are very important to me.

There is a group of fantastic Second Life photographers out there, many of which I admire a lot. All of them rely on post-processing to polish up the standard SL avatar. 

I always tend to make darker, dramatic and more emotional pictures. I call that fantasy, but the theme could also be realistic. Many of my regular Second Life customers are active in Second Life roleplay-play sims or erotic game play and they want to see that reflected in their pictures. 

Being Dutch and raised in a free society, it is probably more easy for me than others to respect their wishes and ideas, without judging. 

What is your biggest source of inspiration? 

Most of my Second Life art work is inspired by conversations with my customers and the stories they tell me about their loved ones, their love for Second Life or the games they play. 

But there is a definitive theme in my art works that you will see repeated a lot- I like to portrait strong women; women in control that are feminine and sexy, yet very much so in control of what they do. even when working with fashion models, I will make them look beautiful, strong and independent 

Why? Because it is all inspired by Louis Royo. I love his work and his thematics. 

And lasty, do you have any last words for our readers?
I would like to invite all the people who are reading this interview to visit my art gallery, to see the beauty that lies in the Second Life avatar.

I also wish you all a drama free and great Second Life. Have fun out there

Thanks, Maded.

Click here to visit Maded's Flickr account.