Taking a more personal look at the people behind the deviantART admin symbols.
How did you first discover deviantART?
An online friend from the US gave me a link to it. We had been staying at a friend's farm during a snowstorm and I had recently bought my first digital camera and was trying it out. I showed my friend the images and he gave me the link to the site and suggested I join up.
What was it about dA that made you want to stay?
Within literally minutes of uploading my first images, I received comments from halfway round the world. I was absolutely floored, and from then on I was hooked.
What is the story behind your username?
It's a combination of abbreviations for my first and second names. My first name is Andrea, and my family has always called me Anj, and with Julie as a middle name Anj and Jules just fit together really well.
What do you remember of your childhood in regards to art?
Very little, I was never able to draw to save myself, but Dad let me play around with his camera occasionally. When I was about 10 or 11, my parents bought me a small film camera and almost all of my photo's consisted of photo's of our dogs or sunsets. Even back then I was leaning towards nature photography lol.
Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?
Not really, no.
Who or what motivates you to continue creating?
Mostly the people who have consistently viewed my photo's and who have given me such great support and feedback over the years. I love submitting a new photo and showing people just how gorgeous this country really is (assuming my photo's do it justice...).
Of your own work, which has the most meaning to you and why?
I know people will look at this and think it's just a waterfall photo... but it was taken on a day where a man I'd known all my life was laid to rest. It was an incredibly difficult day, as he was only in his early 30's, had a young wife and new born baby, when he died whilst out running (he had a heart condition they weren't aware of). They had been living oversea's in the UK, and he was incredibly intelligent, and it hit his family very very hard. Even now his parents are still trying to get over losing him. The funeral was out of town and our family all went to it. There was quite a few of his friends from the UK who had made the trip back with his body and stayed to attend the funeral, the speeches were incredibly emotional and it was a really emotionally draining day. After the service and speeches, Ryan and I went for a drive to get some fresh air, and of course I had my camera with me. We came across this waterfall that was tucked out of sight, and it was just so ... peaceful I guess. I was able to just get away by myself for a while to recharge, and revisit my own memories of Cayne. Every time I look at this image, I remember him.
What are the duties and title of your role as an admin of deviantART?
I'm a Senior MN@ (Message Network admin) for the chatrooms (or dAmn) and the forums. We moderate dA's official chatrooms and help keep them safe and fun. We provide chat and forum assistance in the #MNAdmin chatroom, and also general DA help in the #help chatroom. We moderate the forums and help tidy up those threads you wish you hadn't seen. From time to time we run featured chats on dAmn, and also help GM's with their own events if they need us too. MN@ are also responsible for ensuring that all the other dAmn chatrooms are following the rules of dAmn (eg, no cybering or discussions about illegal software etc).
What can your reveal of projects you are working on for deviantART? Personal projects?
I have a project up my sleeve that I've been wanting to get underway for a while now - but timing is important and as yet I'm not really prepared to say anything about it
As for personal projects, I'm trying to get my photo's out in public locally here, and to arrange some print sales and more photographic work. Ryan and I also run our own aerial photography business using RC helicopters and planes, so we're also heavily involved with that at the moment.
Why did you decide to become an admin of deviantART?
I was asked to join the MN@ team about a year ago by $
chix0r. At that point I spent most of my dA time on dAmn anyway and thought 'why the hell not...?'. I've never looked back since - and of course I'm grateful to $
chix0r for giving me the chance in the first place
As an admin, what do you want to achieve short term? Long term?
Just to ensure that dAmn remains a fun, safe place for users to chat.
What theatrical movies did you enjoy most?
Thrillers usually - I love a good scare and a plot that has a lot of twists and turns (ones that you can't see coming...) are the best.
What films in the devaintART Film Gallery do you enjoy most?
I'm embarrassed to say I haven't really had a look at a lot of them. My connection can be a bit finicky at times (youtube hates it), and with my interests firmly grounded in photography, I don't usually branch out to other area's all that often.
What type of music do you listen to? (Specific groups/artists?)
Oh man... the range is pretty big. Just about anything from (cringe) pop to some heavy metal and classical. Just about the only stuff I don't listen to is country, opera, rap and stuff like death metal.
Which books could you just not put down?
Murder mystery stuff and courtroom type fiction. Authors like Michael Connelly and John Grisham feature pretty heavily in my bookshelf. I also really love chick lit (I know... I know...) but if you've never read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, you're missing out. There's not many authors who can make me laugh out loud and not want to put a book down from start to finish, but Janet can.
What foods can you just never seem to resist? Drinks?
Oh god... Wine. Preferably Black Reef Blush. Or Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc. Put a glass of those in front of me and it will be gone before you know it. Oh and I love a good Roast Lamb.
What are your pet peeves on dA and in general?
Arrogance, a lack of empathy, and general retarded behaviour. Also fake/gutless people. I really can't stand the people who will be completely and utterly rude and disgusting online, and you know that if they had to say it to your face, they never ever would. If you wouldn't act like that offline - don't act like it online either. It's not a turn on...
One fact about yourself that few know about?
Nothing really springs to mind. People can ask me pretty much anything, and if it's not too personal then I usually answer it.
What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art? In life?
Just keep trying. Practice, practice, practice and when you think you're done, practice some more. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something (unless of course it's illegal, then you should probably listen...)
Is there anything else you wish to say?
Treat other people well, you never know when karma is going to bite you in the ass.
Thank you @anjules for your dAmn good wine protection! wait..
by ~
Why Fantasy?
Thanks to everyone that particilated in this group challenge!
and read any rules before using stuff that isn't yours. You may find more free avatar creators here: 
