1. Tell us a little about yourself?
I am a licensed property and casualty and life and health insurance agent and I am twice divorced with two children..17 and 10. I was born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and depending on who you ask, somewhat of a hick. ~lol~

2. Why/how did you get started in making icons?
I had friends who were making icons back in the Park days and wanted to try my hand, so with their patience and guidance learned bit by bit and still learning today.

3. How long have you been making icons?
I think around five years, off and on.

4. What program (s) do you use?
PSP7 and 8 and recently started using X thanks to a good friend and teacher. ~g~ I also use Ulead Gif Animator 4 and 5.

5. Do you use filters and tubes? Any favorites?
No, I have not yet, but I am looking forward to learning and playing with them in the very near future.

6. Do you prefer working with images that are already cut down to size that the person wants or working with the original image?
I prefer to work with the original image. One of the very first things I learned about making icons was how important that cut is.

7. Do you like changing backgrounds? Do you prefer to make your own or use backgrounds from the net?
I will change a background if I think there is too much clutter in an image or if it is blah. I use backgrounds that I have found but making my own is another lesson I hope to learn very soon.

8. What kind of images do you prefer to work with?
I don’t have any one favorite, just a clear image.

9. What do you do when you just can’t seem to get inspired with a specific icon?
I put it aside to work on at another time and move on to the next. I will often ask someone for advice on what they would do with the image if nothing comes to me eventually.
10. What are your feelings about animation?
I think that animation is ok on certain images, but most images do not need it. Too much animation can often take away from the image itself.

11. Do you have a particular look in icons that you, yourself go for?
Brunettes with style, class, sex appeal and spunk.

12. Do you use a signature on your work?
I just started using a signature, yes.

13. Your biggest pet peeve about icons?
That would have to be when an image is not cut right and it has the stretchy, oblong, grainy look.

14. When you receive an order, do you prefer specific instructions or would you rather just go with how the image makes you feel?
If someone gives me specific instructions on what they want the end result to be then I try my best to do that for them. Sometimes I will make more than one version of an icon and let them choose what they like.

15. Are there any colors you like or dislike working with?
Nope, I like all colors and my favorite is green. There are couple that will groan when reading that. ~chuckles~

16. Are there any images you prefer not to work with?
I don’t like working with the real hard core porn images but will if asked.

17. Do you find all your own images for your pages?
I find most of my own images, but have been very fortunate to have good friends that have found images and sent them to me especially when getting ready to get my pages up and going.

18. Do you like a challenge in icon making?
I love a challenge in everything in life..

19. If there was only one font you could use, what would it be? How many fonts do you have?
I like so many hard to pick just one, maybe freebooter or miss. I think currently I have about 500 fonts loaded on my computer.

20. Anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank the Graphics team for giving me this opportunity and for being there for me when I need ideas and help. I also would like to thank everyone that has given me the chance to make them an icon and to my very dear friends that have helped me to search for images for my pages. I still have lots to learn and plan on having a very good time along the way.