1. Let's begin with telling us a little about this Danish/American artist.

 I was born in Denmark in 1981 in the middle of the worst blizzard in a century. My mother is american, and my father danish. Most of my family is highly artistic. My mother aswell as several of my grandparents. Both my older brothers used to be creative too, however they put it aside, where I didn’t. I have lived in Denmark all my life, and my mother has lived here since she was 18. I now live with my man Dennis and my daughter Lyra, age 3.

2. How do you go about creating your pieces; what is your general creative formula?

 I start with an idea that I wish to turn into reality. I then start browsing the web for the model photos and elements I need. I also draw elements with my pen if needed and sometimes the background itself. I always use Photoshop, and work in several layers.

3. Where do you look for inspiration? 

 Lots of places! Sometimes an idea is triggered by a particular model photo that I see. Sometimes a piece of music, sometimes a good book or movie, and other times teh idea just arise in my mind when least expected. I also get inspiration from mythology, history, fantasy, pagan rites and my norse heritage.The most frustrating place to get an idea is when I am far from a computer, that can really drive me to the state of near insanity!

I do have periods sometimes where my inspiration is lacking and these periods are very frustrating to me; I get restless and can be hard to be around. Luckily when these hard times passes, my art seem to have evelved into another state. I guess these ‘artistic voids’ are nescesary for me to grow as an artist. I think that by not being able to get any ideas out into reality I collect information and observe without even knowing so, and when my muse returns it is with full force and i go into an artistic craze.

4. On the subject of your artistic style, who influenced you to start and who influences you today?

 I have always been creative, and at age 17 my creative focus changed into the digital kind. I started with photomanipulations about 5 years ago, when I joined the art community DevianArt, where I am still an active member. This is where I first saw this type of art. I can’t recall any particular artist though. I fell in love with this genre immediately and decided to explore it for myself.

Shortly after I pretty much lost interest with the traditional art that I had been doing till then. I hope to get inspired to re-invent it again some day, but I have no idea when it will be. By now my art has evolved into another kind; ‘Digital art, mixed media’. I use both photos, 3D renders and digital painting. I use photoshop and a pen and a digital tablet.

I guess I was always mostly influenced by fantasy. Oldschool fantasy artists such as Boris Vallejo and Luis Royo has always put me in a state of awe. They portray the fantasy world I have come to adore at an early age, after being introduced to the written world of DragonLance by one of my older brothers. Discovering the ART within this world, not only the books, was fantastic!!

Through time I think my works have become mostly character art, this is my metier. This is what I love and like to focus on; fantasy Characters! I love to work with ‘real’ people, not just visions of my imagination. Thats why I use model stock I think. I like my characters to be real and resemble someone who lives out there in the world. The combination of reality and fantasy triggers my imagination. Thats why using photos works for me, both as characters and sometimes for elements in the background. They depict a certain reality along with my fantasy characters.

I really owe the stock community at DevaintArt, with whom I have a lot of commercial agreements with, for making all these photos available. I LOVE you guys!

5. Besides creating this beautiful art,  have you any other Interests/hobbies-  and what kind of music are you into?

 Tons! I love to read, and always have. Fantasy, historic novels (mostly medieval history and back in time), mythology and the likes. I feel the best when I know I have a book lying around that I am in the process of reading a book. I also do photography (for my art works, I have a whole stock library on my computer by now).

I love to study religion, philosophy and history too. I studied Comparative Religion and university for 3 semesters, where I could really delve into all the worldwide religions as well as philosophy and history. I am not religious myself and find it amusing when people think that I am studying Theology (the study to become a priest) because they are not aware that ‘Comparative Religion’ is what it says; the objective study of all religion and religious rituals.

I left university and its world of books after my maternal break. My daughter and my time spent with her made me realize that I needed to seek the creative ways more profesionally, and leave the book studies at university. So I left Uni and started a graphic design study. I would love to go back to study at university at some point, because I loved the discussions there and the whole university atmosphere, but for now I need to be creative.

6. What are your tools/programs of choice?

Untill recently I used Photoshop 7, but now the other day I was finally able to get my hands on the new CS3 pack! I mostly use Photoshop and DazStudio.

7. If you could collaborate with any artist alive or dead who would you pick?

 Hmm, to be honest I am not sure. I guess I’ve never been much into collaborations ?

I did a few, but it never felt like something I would do much..

8. What are your plans for the future?

I hope so start my own company, and am working toward making a thourough company profile that I can present to my bank when my man has finished his studies. So in 2 years time I will be ready and start my own! This is what I imagine I will be most comfortable with; being my own boss, and not constantly having to work for someone else and their goals. It will make me getting up in the morning much better, and my daughter will experience a more fulfilled and happy me..

9. What do you like or dislike about the online art community

 I LOVE the online art community most of the time, the sharing of inspiration and art. Talking to other creative people, who can’t leave art alone. I spend so much time online.

The thing I really HATE about the art world in general is ‘art snobs’, people who look down upon all other art forms than their own. Why can’t people just relax and stop thinking so much about what art is, and what it is not? Seriously? I can see and acknowledge the artistic process in ANY artform, be it my own digital;mixed media style, photomanipulations, artisan crafts, clothing design, video art, digital paintings and so forth. I can see how people transform their artistic idea into reality, and I can not share these ‘art snobs’ opinion that only one certain way of doing art is the real deal.. It makes me sad. But I guess there are snobs in all parts of the world and in all fields of work.

10. And finally, if you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what 5 things would you wished you had taking with you?

1. My man (if people count too)

2. My daughter

3. My computer (I really find it hard to be without it hehe)

4. Tons of batteries for my computer

5. Books! Lots of books,,,

11.Thanks for taking the time to sit with us and letting us get inside your head. We wish you nothing but success in the future.

 You are very welcome, it was my pleasure!