Damian

Aiko Serendipity

Fleur Kelly (F.M. Gore-Kelly) got started with 3D art through a fortuitous meeting with a model – a 3D model! A search for the Japanese Kanji for ‘Aiko’ (Little Loved One) instead uncovered Aiko 3.0 at DAZ3D. Downloading the free DAZ/Studio and free content led to an addiction with the art form!

A full-time student, Fleur is studying a Diploma of Graphic Design, and hoping to follow it on to University to do a Bachelor of Interactive Gaming Design. Starting out as a self taught artist has helped with her current studies, particularly in the 3D area.

She says she is inspired by colours, “certain colour combinations really inspire me. I find when colours are used extremely well I’m drawn in to them. They make me think of distant places I would love to visit one day.” And she creates because she loves to. “Art is a way for people to express their emotions without having to say a single word.”

“I want to create something different. Something Unusual, that when people see my art they don’t say ‘Oh man… I’ve seen something like that 100 times today already’. Making sure you are different from everyone else can be extremely difficult at times. I don’t want to get onto a band wagon.”

Her focus on uniqueness, and passion for cultural diversity drive her art. “I think all Ethnic groups are amazing and beautiful. It makes me seriously cry when I think of how much racism there is in the world. It’s the differences in each other that should draw us together and love each other.”

Her love of period themes also comes through in her artwork, and she says “I love the 1910’s and 20’s (I really want to get my butt into gear and do more stuff based on that period in time).”

From the human form to imaginative fantasy, her portfolio is wide ranging. She is not afraid to tackle sensuality and nudity, saying that for her the human body is an extremely beautiful thing in all shapes and sizes. And while she has a love of fantasy art, for her it still needs to be based in reality; to look like it could be real.

The freedom of 3D art provides the appeal for Fleur, “Freedom to just try new things. If they don’t work I can easily just start over again without thinking ‘Oh man! I just wasted 30 dollars worth of paint’”

When not using the computer she creates with ink, pencils, charcoal, oil and acrylic paint, as well as photography and creative writing. On the computer, the range of software used includes POSER 7, DAZ/Studio, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator, and 3DS MAX (rarely to make accessories and props).

Her temperament at the time of creating influences how long it takes to create a completed work, “It could take 30 minutes or it could take me 5 weeks.”

Her personal favourite images are ‘Black Pearls’ and ‘Wild’, both of which started as completely different ideas.

She says ‘Black Pearls’ “started out as a project to do something for the my Star sign Aries. But half way through I thought to myself ‘Wait! She looks beautiful without the Ram horms’ So I took off the horns and I went from there.”

Black Pearls

“And as for ‘Wild’ it was originally inspired by the Roxie from the musical ‘Chicago’ But as I was going along, something wasn’t right. It wasn’t fitting, meshing. Then I heard the song ‘A Wild, Wild Party’ and it totally hit me! And I went off in a different direction again. Check out The Wild Party “

Wild

Her parting advice for other 3D artists is “It’s not the equipment that you’ve got; it’s how you use it. I started with a free program and free content and I built up my collection from there. We all have to start somewhere. Practice really does help develop perfection. Aim to be different. And be colourful!”