Guest artist's page this month reviews the photography of Marronex

here is the exclusive interview with Fancy Fizz and her beautiful work.

Christina Ehlinger aka Marronex was born on December 20, 1980 in San Antonio as Christina Michelle Strickland, married now as Christina M. Ehlinger to  Nick. They are now living in Del Rio, Texas. She grew up as a "military brat", spending four of her younger years in San Vito, Italy. One day.. she will go back.  She loves all kinds of art and for everything it stands for. She soaks in everyone's art around, including her favorite model, nature. Lately photography and digital art have become a passion, as well as collecting other artist's works. She is a fairly sensitive person and  usually feeds on the energy of people around her. She works full time right now to support my art, but is always hoping that one day her art will support her. Good Luck!!!

FF: How has the landscape of your surrounding Texas influenced your artwork?

M: Texas has influenced my artwork in more ways than I first thought. From the desert scenery, to the native flowers, the active skies, I've discovered beauty in almost everything. Some people may see South Texas as very dry and flat, but there's nothing like watching a passing storm in the distance, or bluebonnet season. This is actually what encouraged me to pick up a camera. I used to paint, but I knew that I could never capture it with a paintbrush.

FF: Why the name Marronex?

M: Ha, this is kind of an embarassing question! When I was younger (much younger) I used to play roleplaying games online. Marronex was my character name which I became very attached to. Whenever I would sign up for an account anywhere online, I would use the name Marronex because no one else had it. Since then, it's just sort of stuck and now Marronex is the creative side of me.

FF: Digital art and photography: what creative processes do you follow?

M: With my photography, I try to bring a camera wherever I go, because you never know when you'll see something just the right way and must capture it! I will venture out to gardens and parks looking for photo opportunities, and have my friends and other models pose for me occasionally. I also look for interesting textures and unique patterns that I can bring home and put into my digital artwork. Many of my digital pieces contain 3-6 different photographs; either cut-out or fused with another photo. I determine the tone and colors that I'm looking for and eventually have a completed piece.

FF:  You have photographed a music band as well, what music do you enjoy listening to?

M: Yes, and a very talented band as well! I have such a wide range of music that I could probably go on forever! But I'll keep it simple. I listen to every kind of music out there from country to hip hop to new age. There isn't a style of music that I'll say I don't like, because there will always be at least one song that I will like. My favorites, however, consist of Poe, Mono, Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Lili Fatale, Hooverphonic, Enigma, Delerium, Enya... those are the ones that infulence my artwork the most.