*nebu, a name many photomanipulators will know. But how well do you know the person behind the name? The following is an interview conducted by `mirrorkills with the photomanipulation master.


Can you tell us a little about yourself to help people who aren't familiar with you, get to know you a little better?

My real name is Shelley Bergen but most know me as nebu. I am 43, I live in central Canada with my husband and our 13 year old son.

What inspired you to become an artist? and What first got you into creating photomanipulations?

I have always been artistic in one way or another. When I was 18 I discovered tapestry and have been making tapestry ever since. I started painting in acrylics many years ago and took a few courses in primative/folk art painting for fun. I discovered photomanipulation about 8 years ago in virtual chat. We used to "paint" avatars in shop there and participate in contests. I started making larger images just over 3 years ago. `noir encouraged me to join da, in fact I hadnt even heard of da till she started telling me about it.
I've only worked in large images since then.

What are the your programs of choice to create your art?

I am currently using Paintshop Pro 9 which I love. I have used paintshop Pro since I began in digital art about 8 years ago. Back then photoshop was the less used program, everyone used Paintshop Pro. I've never seen a reason to switch over. If it ain't broke don't fix it!! I have also messed some with Poser 5 and I am going to start learning to do vectors, I have Freehand now for that

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Your works from what can be seen, has a very unique darker themed style to them. Why dark art? What draws you to it?

I find dark art to be very expressive, and Im not afraid to explore the darker side of life. I've done a few lighter pieces but I prefer darker more macabre.
Its also a good way to face your own demons.

A lot of art deals with controversial topics/issues. Do you find yourself working with a "topical" subject, as a way to get your thoughts and opinions expressed?

Yes very much so. Art is a wonderful means of expression.
And not just expressing everything that is good and perfect either.
Life is not always good and it is never perfect.

What are you opinions on art as an expression and art made to just look pretty?

I think both have their place and purpose. I personally prefer work with deeper meaning, work that makes you think and/or feel when you look at it. I love the impact. Probably another reason why I prefer darker art.

In my house the pretty pictures are pieces I painted myself in acrylics, still lifes, scenery etc. All the rest are dark/macabre prints.

Many of which are from DA artists.

Once an idea has been sown in your mind and you sit down to actually create a piece.... do you always try and convey a message in your pieces or is it sometimes just art for arts sake

I usually have some sort of idea or atleast a concept of what I want to create or express. I have made a few pieces just my sitting down and and starting on something with no thought or direction in mind, but I find them harder to complete because there is no vision or idea to follow. I have a folder of unfinished pieces like that.

When I work on a piece that came from an idea or concept its like a piece of myself. Making a piece just to make one isnt a piece of me really. Atleast thats how it makes me feel.

Photomanipulation as it is deals with creating art from the stock art of others. What do you look for in stock? Where's the first place you usually turn, and here on dA who would you consider to be yur favourite stock providers?

For starters I no longer use stocks from DA, seeing as the majority of my work is commissioned now and most stock accounts in DA are for DA use only. I look for quality stock in very large sizes. I have been taking some of my own stocks lately, and my good friend ~Geno101 takes whatever photos I want, I just have to ask him...he's a doll! I also use ImageAfter, Mayangs, CanStock and Stock xchng.

I am always on the hunt for good stock sites.

And my favorite is my Photobreed stock cds, and I have their permission to use them commercially.

Photobreed on dA.

With the popularity you have acheived on dA, though the rewards may be there, there is also the increased risk of work being stolen or "ripped", Have you ever had any of your artwork ripped? How did this make you feel? Do you feel the need to put a copyright watermark on each image you create?

I've lost count of the amount of times my work has been stolen. It makes me feek awful, like someone has stolen a piece of me, and the more it happens the worse it feels. I now keep my images quite small and I put ugly watermarks right across them. I am also looking into purchasing my own copyright which is good for my life span plus another 50 years. I have had some serious "rips" this past year. Found my work on a cd cover, a newspaper ad and the latest is a bumper sticker...all without my permission. A special thanks to the deviants that informed me about them!!!

You are undoubtedly at the top half of many peoples inspiration list, but who are your inspirations as an artist, and where do you look for inspiration?

So many things and people inspire me. When I first started digital art one of my big inspirations was `noir. Another great inspiration for me is my business partner and dear friend *anatheme, he is so talented. Historically I love the work of Bosch, Michaelangelo, Belsinski.

Nebu's dA Inspiration

Also Giger of course, David Ho... Gosh so many!
I love the works of Daniel Merriam, and I like some images by McKean as well.

What does the future hold for your artwork?

Who knows..lol! Right now my focus is the company I co-own with anatheme, Groundfrost Illustration and Design. We have been very busy so far this year and I hope it continues for a very very long time.

Could you tell us a little more about Groundfrost

I met anatheme through twisted realmz and we hit it off right away. One day we decided we needed to do a collab. Mouthful of Sorrow was our first collab. It is now being used for a bookcover.

We loved the result so much we started talking about starting a company. Groundfrost came online in late October 2005. And we have had a pretty good stream of work coming in. Right now we are swamped lol

You mentioned TwistedRealmz, could you tell us a little more on that.

TwistedRealmz ~thirddementia. I was invited to join in feb 2003. I was still pretty new in da then, I joined da in sept 2002. TR has changed alot over the years, and had its share of ups and downs.

We no longer have pack released, our artists now have their own galleries they can update whenever they want.

The new TR look was created by *anatheme and ~James-Dylan. I have been a TR admin since 2004.

Its not just a dark art group anymore, its more of a community and all types of art are welcome though most still submit dark art.


TR is about its artists and their art...there is no status, no elite attitudes just good people and their art. Our forum is now public, you just have to sign up.

Is there any tips or advice that you'd like to give to budding young manipers on dA or the photomanipulation gallery as a whole?

Be creative, express yourself, chose your stocks carefully ( I am super picky) and always ask permission if its required or if your not sure. And most of all.....have fun!!!

Is there anything else you would like to say before we close this out?

I think that should do it Thanks for opportunity

If there's anything you'd like to see in future issues please dont hesitate to ask by way of note to the account or me personally.