It depends on the project. While I may look at photos for reference, I'm hand painting a lot of things on the computer screen, canvas or paper. For instance, I looked at tons of pictures of Ayer's Rock in Australia at various times of day and in various weather conditions and as much imagery of indigenous people as I could get my paws on for my piece "Kadaicha Man", but the actual art was all done by hand. The only things I usually cut and paste together are my own designs and photos or stock photos which are legal to use. Yes, I sometimes use filters heavily for certain effects. I will also sometimes use the tubes that came with Paint Shop Pro to do quick backgrounds if I want to maintain my focus on the main figure. Even then, there is a large amount of postwork done to integrate those items into the piece. Where I HAVE done photomanipulation, it will say so.

Category: About the Art

I don't currently allow any use of images in the main art site without licensing. At the moment, that does NOT include licensing for tubes, sig tags and such. I don't like for my work to be cut up, animated or otherwise mutilated and molested. While I'm sure some folks find reworked art appealing and beautiful, my stuff simply was NOT intended for these uses. I'd appreciate it if that wish is respected. I've looked into several tube and image licensing companies, but none of them seem interested in my work. Those that are have rules I don't agree with (such as allowing animations, which I don't want done) or require a production output that there is no way I could keep up with. If you want tubing and tagging use, you'll have to recommend me to your favorite licensing company so they'll contact me. I may also look into Deviant Art's "premium content" system. I'm not sure how well it would work for this sort of licensing, though. I've not messed with it. Keep in mind that this is currently my only means of income, so you are literally stealing food from my mouth if you steal my work. I DO have some stock photos and other freebies on Deviant art. Just make sure you follow the rules. http://aazari-resources.deviantart.com/

Category: About the Art

First, make sure the site isn't listed among my authorized users. There are a few people/companies who have permission. There is a page linked on the main page which lists sites where my work appears by permission. Just click the "For sites authorized to use, click here. " text below the main menu. If the site isn't listed, email me at using the Contact link with all the information you have on where you've seen it. If you want to be extra nice you can save me a step by going to http://www.samspade.org and finding out who owns the domain you saw it on. Send that info to me as well. It helps me put legal action in the right direction. Note that NO ONE is authorized to offer my images in packages on CDs or in any other way via E-Bay. The only way to guarantee authenticity of an item is to buy from me. My username on EBay is Aazari and I have NO others.

Category: About the Art

Mostly Paint Shop Pro 6,9 and X. I also use on occasion Adobe Photoshop Elements, Procreate Painter Classic, STile (Harm's Tile), Terragen, Universe and/or Ulead Cool 3D. I've also added DAZ|Studio , Hexagon, Carara and Bryce to my art arsenal for use in posing certain things and getting an idea of how shadows fall, etc. I actually used to favor Corel Photopaint, but the only copy I had of it bit the dust a long while back by taking a face down trip across a concrete drive.

Category: About the Art

Sometimes. Keep an eye out in my galleries. Originals for sale say so on their pages. Images where I have Limited Edition archival prints to offer are also marked on their pages. Some images also have posters and other prints which are NOT Limited Edition available through the online shops. Images which are available in the online shops have links on their pages. Note that NO ONE is authorized to offer my images in packages on CDs or in any other way via E-Bay. The only way to guarantee authenticity of an item is to buy from me directly or from a panel at an artshow listed in my events schedule. My username on EBay is Aazari and I have NO others. Please report any other sellers who have my images to me so they can be dealt with accordingly.

Category: About the Art

Maybe. But I will warn you now, it won't be free or cheap. I charge $8/hour and require a minimum down payment of $75 before I will do anything. Tattoos are more expensive generally speaking because I feel they are very personal and that I shouldn't sell them. Thus, I need to make all my money in the payment for the design. Also, I reserve the right to tell you I'm not interested in a project and will NOT work on anything with a short deadline. So ask. The worst that will happen is I'll tell you no for whatever reason. Or I might be intrigued and say yes. :-)

Category: About the Art

Actually, yes, I do mind, so please don't. If you're looking for avatars, I have some work on AllAvatars.com . However their site has apparently been abandoned in a state that prevents loading new ones, so what is there is what you get for now. Now that Deviant Art has their "premium content" system, I may provide some stuff through there if people ask for it.

Category: About the Art

Various reasons. 1) My box of manuscripts got eaten by flood waters a long while back, so a lot was just completely lost. 2) I've not been writing so much in recent times. 3) What I have been writing isn't okay to sell (fan fic). 4) I'm starting to sell some stuff for Kindle. 5) I also prefer to have the writing I can offer up where people can comment so I get feedback. Definitely check out my writing accounts if you want to see what I'm doing in this realm. Also watch my blog (the news link). Sometimes I post silly things there, too.

Category: About the Art

NO NO NO! I've had bad experiences with my work being used as tattoos (as in tat artists using my art as flash without paying me), so I just don't want it done. Please respect that wish. Don't be like the jerk who didn't ask and tattooed my Anubis on his forearm. You'll piss me off and find out just how temperamental I can be. :-/ If you want a custom tattoo of something NOT already on my site, contact me and we can discuss.

Category: About the Art

I want for people to see where I came from in relation to where I am now artistically. I feel it's encouraging to beginning artists to see that artists don't always start out making art that most people would consider "good". It's a process of learning and practice. By having a bit of a historical documentation of what I've done, I think it illustrates that point. Plus, I'm just really fond of some of it. ;-)

Category: About the Art

It depends on the piece someone is interested in. A lot of the older art is damaged and really not in good shape for selling for various reasons (particularly the older pen and inks, pencils and watercolors). Some of it I simply won't sell at all. If you are truly interested in one of the older pieces that doesn't have mention of being available, please contact me using the "Contact" link on the site. For the most part, what is readily available says so on its page. Do note that larger canvases are going to cost a lot to ship if you aren't in my local area. So keep that in mind.

Category: About the Art

Calacas are effigies of death used to decorate for the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival in Mexico. While the festival honors those who have passed on, it also makes light of Death. The idea is that Death may take away the physical forms of those we love, but it is powerless because it cannot erase our love and happy memories. Calacas come in many forms: wood, papier mache, terra cotta and even found items such as parts from wrecked automobiles. In some villages, calacas may be made to represent prominent local figures and then set up in humorous tableaus showing those prominent people in ridiculous situations. Calacas are usually rather colorful and may be dressed in garish clothes and hats and even set in chairs at tables in cafes with a bottle of beer at their elbow. From complex to simplistic, the calaca has become an art form all its own in Mexico. Along with sugar skulls, they are among the most notable items associated with Dia de los Muertos.

Category: About the Art

Some people start making art for praise, fame or money. Some people get into it because, if they don't, all the weird stuff in their heads will explode their skull. I'm that latter type. LOL It wasn't until I got into middle age and needed more money than I could make in dead end jobs in order to keep my health up that I started worrying about the money end over-much. I honestly really just don't care much if I'm ever "famous". For most artists that tends to happen after you're dead anyway. *shrug*

Category: About the Art