Candy Conversation

Here is our latest Candy Conversation with member Phantoms Siren.

Vital statistics:
Name: Vyctoria Hart/Phantoms Siren
Craft: Illustration and Spinning
Hometown: Rotherham
Website: www.phantoms-siren.com

Tell us about you and your craft?
I’m a fantasy and steampunk illustrator working entirely in the digital medium. Sometimes, I also spin yarn.

How did you get started?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing something but I started working digitally whilst at university (2001-2004) as a way to avoid writing essays. I started selling prints and cards though DeviantArt a few years ago because people asked for them. The spinning grew over the last couple of years from a fascination with yarn and knitting. I’m addicted to sparkly things and getting to make sparkly yarn was too great a chance to miss.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Short answer – everywhere. Most of my graphics are influenced by the Art Nouveau period, especially the works of Alphons Mucha, but the themes for individual pieces can come from anywhere at all. At the moment I’m fascinated by the world of steampunk and most of my work refers back to that in someway or other.

Where do you sell your work?
At the moment I mostly sell through my DeviantArt account and direct emails, though I have sold at two craft fairs recently.

What do you love most about being creative?

For me the main joy in my work is the chase of finding the right idea, the right models, the right colours and seeing it all come together as one new piece that didn’t exist before. I like to be able trace back to the first single spark of an idea.!

Tell us what your plans for the future are?
I recently completed a cover for an online magazine, and I’d love to do more work like that, especially within the steampunk scene itself. I have a few projects illustrating short stories and I’m hoping to create a steampunk colourbook some time soon. Charitable work is also very close to my heart and I am planning to create a range to support one or more Lupus charities.