ECLIPSE Magazine January 2021

J a n u a r y

2 0 2 1

Contents

32.

THROUGH THE LENS

72.

Featuring winter inspired activities by Taylor and Hayden.

64.

THE KITCHEN CORNER Mac Massimo chefs it up with a classic favorite, “Bruschetta.”

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86.

ACROSS THE GRID

98.

THE WAYFAR

Wicca Merlin introduces us to the world of vampires in Second Life.

Join the Wayfarer as he expl Curiousity L

THE FASHION OF LARA

118. THE FASHION OF SC

Featuring the Bloggie winner for Female Fashion, Lara Ubert.

Featuring the Bloggie winne Male Fashion, Scar Requ

44.

COVER STORY 3XIS

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Geena Carminucci

WRITER

130. VOICES FROM THE GRID

Cajsa Lilliehook

Asked the same question, see what residents have to say.

RER

lores Lake.

CAR

er for uiem.

144. THE ART PERSPECTIVE Featuring a review of work from 19 Gallery and Floating Lotus.

152.

PROUST SPOTLIGHT Featuring Doc Mercury.

ECLIPSE Magazine is dedicated to not only offering an aesthetically pleasing publication, but to also be considered a platform that offers rich and relevant content. Each month, we showcase residents and groups that have taken the concept of “your world, your imagination” to such great heights that they have impacted the culture and lifestyle of the Second Life community.

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executive team

Trouble dethly Publisher

june fallon

cajsa lilliehook

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

STEF NOVA

Content Manager

the c

writers

photographers

Cajsa Lilliehook Gidge Uriza Novaleigh Freng Taylor Wassep Wicca Merlin

Cassie Middles Geena Carminucci Gidge Uriza Hayden Dethly Mac Massimo Taylor Wassep Wicca Merlin

stylists Cassie Middles Hayden Dethly Taylor Wassep Wicca Merlin

interested in advertising with eclipse? have an idea for a great story? looking to start a new career in second life? email trouble.dethlysl@gmail.com

contributors

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Welcome to the January 2021 issue of ECLIPSE Magazine! I feel like it has been awhile since I have had to write one of these Publisher Notes. Our last issue was released in October 2020. A lot has happened since then, but it is all for the better. At least I am far better now than I was. I am not entirely certain how I maintained for over five years, publishing the magazine monthly. Our next issue will be coming out in March, and we will treat it like the anniversary issue and go from there.

I should have published last week, but I got inspired by the idea of a photo essay. I had done one previously, but for this one I wanted to write a short paragraph to accompany each photograph. Last time I bulked released it like a collage, this time I am publishing the photos individually.

It’s called “In These Moments.” I have done four out of six photographs, and I was sorely tempted to continue with it, but this magazine was not going to publish itself. Hopefully, I can do a photograph tomorrow for it.

Now onto this issue, I have incredibly patient contributors. The team is fantastic, and I am so grateful for them. We have three features this month covering people who won a Bloggie award. Our cover story is Exis, who won blogger of the year and we also have articles on Scar Requiem (male fashion blogger winner) and Lara Ubert (female fashion blogger).

It’s a fairly interesting issue.

On a side note, I am hoping this quickly exports on InDesign. I have been super careful regarding image sizes, so here’s to hoping.

We have a total of ten pieces this month, and I do hope you enjoy this issue.

Happy Readings!

letter from the PUBLI

ISHER

Hayden dethly Page 26 | ECLIPSE January 2021

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cora fallon Page 28 | ECLIPSE January 2021

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through the lens

s

Each issue, ECLIPSE Magazine invites the many talented photographers from Second Life to collaborate. With this piece, they style, create and share a glimpse through their lens.

For this addition, Hayden Dethly and Taylor Wassep share their favorite winter activities.

Photographer: Hayden Dethly Page 34 | ECLIPSE January 2021

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Photographer: Hayden Dethly

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Photographer: Taylor Wassep

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Photographer: Taylor Wassep

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The Habits of Existen photography by 3xis & GEENA CARMINUCCI. writt

nce

en by cajsa lilliehook.

Eva [3xis] was chosen Blogger of the Year during last October’s Bloggies Awards sponsored by ECLIPSE Magazine and her selection was well-deserved. It seemed like fun to ask her to give readers an “Oscar Acceptance Speech” with the pretense that if it went over three minutes, it would be cut off. Unlike most Oscar winners, she kept to the time limit, clocking in at 0:59:45, just under one minute.

I want to start by saying how incredibly honored I feel to be awarded with two Bloggies again for a second year and especially the Best Overall Blogger of the year. It is a nice reward for all the nights I’ve stayed up trying to make a decent picture and all the friends I’ve ignored and their parties I’ve missed while having to meet my deadlines.

good things. After all, they have sold over 25 million copies of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and it is considered one of the most influential books ever published.

For Eva, blogging is a habit. Whether a good habit or a bad habit is a matter of perspective.

On the one hand, Eva is a retired ballerina in her first life and did not know there were ballet dancers performing in Second Life.

When asked about attending any of their performances, she said, “I’ve been in SL for four-plus years and this is the first time I have heard about these. This is what you get for being committed to your hobby. Maybe you and I should hang out in-world more?” Time to look for an upcoming performance from Ballet Pixelle Theatre.

But on the other hand, Eva has excelled at blogging, becoming a role model for others I need to say a huge thank you to all the and a favorite of creators and bloggers alike. people who bother to spend a minute of Moreover, she finds her center in blogging. their day and look at my pictures, to fave When asked what she most enjoyed about them, and comment on them. Also, a huge blogging, it was not the recognition of readers, thank you to the brands I work with and blog bloggers, or creators. “The therapeutic side of for, especially after I made the decision to it and the creativity. I shut down everything else leave Blogotex, a platform most of them used in my mind and my only concern is to make a yet they chose to stand behind me and send beautiful picture. Then that is done and “hello me their stuff manually. darkness my old friend...”

Last but not least, a huge thank you to my friends for always supporting me, offering advice when it was needed and helping me grow and become better.

I wouldn’t have received this award without having all the aforementioned people in my life.

While her name 3xis is Leetspeak for Exis, (She would love to meet the person who beat her to Exis.) the Greek word Έξις means habit. She notes there is a negative connotation to the word habit, listing the bad habits of smoking and eating junk food. However, habits are also Page 46 | ECLIPSE January 2021

Eva named her blog Existence. The first post revealed an assured and solid style. However, it was a fashion blog. In the last four years, her blog has evolved into a decor blog with only occasional fashion posts. We asked about this evolution. She said, “if you had told me, back then, I would be spending days decorating a house I would have called you crazy. I suppose the transition happened gradually. Shooting fashion posts require an outfit of course, but also a scene that surrounds that outfit and makes the whole picture complete. I had a hard time finding sims to go to or to rez in, and find the appropriate environment in order to shoot my outfit and that forced me to create my own scenery. That,

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then, led to creating a whole big scene where an avatar wasn’t even necessary. Besides most decor brands appreciate it more when the attention is on the furniture and not the person sitting on them.”

she says it was not an easy transition, but she thinks finding a niche and an identity are important.

“Bloggers, especially the ones who just started blogging, try to find an identity. It is called Looking to the future, she envisions more “niche” and we all struggled for it. I think that evolution in her blog focus and style. “I would titles are important and very helpful. If you’re love to see myself growing and learning more labeled as “Home and Garden Blogger” or in the future. Portraits are something I adore “Fashion Blogger” or whatnot blogging becomes watching but am terrible at them. I know for sure easier. It works well for your audience. For my editing process will evolve, as it has already, example, people would know who to go to if since I’m constantly educating myself on that they’re looking for ideas on how to decorate their subject.” house. Or if they purchased a new pair of jeans and wanted to stylize it nicely.”

Since Eva smoothly and successfully changed her blog focus, ECLIPSE Magazine asked her As Eva sees it, a fashion blogger who wants to to advise other bloggers who might wish to transition to decor blogging as she did have change their own blog’s style or focus. First, two choices. They can keep styling their avatar

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and placing her in a complementary scene to showcase the outfit. Their second choice would be to just shoot the scene and forget the avatar altogether. She does deeper, adding that the first choice works best for fashion blogs. She explains, “...if there is an avatar in a picture it will steal the show regardless. Evidently that means the decor will still be a “background dancer.” Clearly the decor-only pictures will be preferred by decor creators.

She adds, “So, my only advice to the bloggers switching from fashion to decor would be, take your time. It won’t be easy but it can happen.

Start little by little, a sofa first, then a couch, then a table. Don’t rush it and please, please don’t rip off the ideas of others. Imitation is a form of flattery but also a sign of immaturity.”

Eva say it takes “forever” to do a picture. How

long is forever we wondered. “It does take forever. Or at least, that’s how long it feels. It is hard to pin down the steps I take in order to make a photo. There are so many ifs and buts.

Fashion posts are definitely more difficult. I have to pay attention to two things. Outfit and complementary scene. Decor photos are easier since all I have to do is rez furniture and place them around. Then I have to find an angle. A nice one. Then I have to get good lights. And thus nice shadows. If not, I start over again and again and again. So yes, it can take a while.”

Sometimes she finishes earlier than expected.

As much as she loves the free time, she wonders if she forgot something. But finishing early is rare. “If I’m concentrating and know exactly what I want to make, then I’d say two or three days would be the maximum amount

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of time needed to finish a scene. Then I could use another day or two to play with it in Photoshop. I try to edit as less as possible because I want the image to be as original as possible. Sponsors like that as well.”

She has more specific advice as well. “I do pay attention to colors and details. That’s what my aesthetic demands. I can’t stress it enough.

Posts need to make sense. I don’t want to see people in a bikini in a wintery scene and I can’t see people in heels on a sandy beach. It is probably my OCD taking control but there is a nice harmony in watching beautiful colors all coordinated together and objects carefully put in certain spots for certain reasons.”

but also the SL Greek community. “I only know a handful of Greek people in SL. I have heard there is a small Greek community but I haven’t been introduced to it yet. Again, this is what you get for being a loner and only thinking about “what to blog next.”

Eva is justifiably proud of being from Greece.

“Greece is one beautiful country. And so are Greek people. Well, some of them. I know I will sound corny but if you ask me, it has to be the vitamin D that the sun helps us absorb.

Mediterranean people in general have that warm, welcomy, happy mood which is really nice. But this can also become a problem when being too nice or too relaxed can make you dysfunctional at your work or social Her singular focus on blogging, her blogging encounters.” habit, has not just kept her from SL ballet,

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She noted Greece has had significant struggles in the last few years. The rise of a neo-Nazi political party, Golden Dawn, has marred their recent history though now it has been declared a criminal organization, that may change. The financial crisis hit Greece particularly hard. From the outside, it seemed unjust that Germany would not forgive Greece when Greece forgave German’s debt in 1953. The debt crisis has destabilized the Greek economy, radicalized its politics, and caused unnecessary suffering. Add to that the pressure of Mideast, mostly Syrian, refugees coming from Syria and Turkey and waiting to be taken in by other EU countries. Notably, even with the struggles of the debt crisis, the people of Greece remained welcoming and compassionate to incoming refugees.

And then there is COVID. Greece was one of the countries hit hard at the beginning.

As Eva put it, “It is a lot to handle when you’re a small country and completely dependent on your other European allies. SL helped me forget issues like that, even for a minute, since day one. It is why I often call blogging therapeutic. I will get in the zone, black out

for as long as I’m working on my scenes and by the time I am done, I have forgotten everything I was worrying about.”

As therapeutic as SL can be, it can also become a bad habit, causing a person to neglect their first life. As Eva put it, “SL and especially blogging in SL can take a huge toll on your RL and your health. I didn’t sleep much, I didn’t eat well, I skipped my dance classes and was often late for work. I had also gained weight. All because I only needed “A few more minutes” to finish setting up a scene or creating an outfit. It is so easy to lose control.”

She continued, noting that she had been warned. “Miaa Rebane had warned me about this and I didn’t listen. 2020 has been a nice year to me, if you leave the pandemic out of the equation. I started to take care of myself again, I lost the extra weight, I started to work out and dance again and I’m also in a relationship. So I can’t really complain. Of course I have been posting less and less as a result of that but I had to prioritize. And RL should come first.”

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For all that Eva is a home decor blogger, she has no in-world home. Seriously! And for good reason, “If I had one, I would have to change it constantly as I would always want to have the newest releases featured in my living room. All I have is a platform where all the magic takes place.”

One of the intriguing responses to her home decor blog is that her readers often have questions about her first life home, hoping to see pictures. There is a natural assumption that someone who decorates in SL would be equally focused on their own home in their first life, but it is not so. “I moved to a new house 2 years ago, which I renovated completely. After the renovation was over I felt exhausted and had absolutely no energy to decorate any further. After the first lockdown, in March, though, I have started working on some cute little spots in my house in order to make it more lived-in and cosy. My style in both RL and SL houses/decor can vary from Modern feminine style to a Shabby rusty one. If I had to pick a photo of decoration that would best describe my style that would be Here Comes the Sun Only with less clutter! It’s unrealistic living in such a cluttered environment even though I suppose some people do it. I only love it for blogging purposes.”

Groups are a big part of any Second Life community and the blogging world has its own groups that help promote events and connect bloggers. The Bloggies is part of the Blogger and Vlogger Network which has a group. There are many other groups including SL Bloggerati as well as event groups such as Flair for Events. Joining a group is an important decision for many people. Slots are limited and there are usually more appealing groups than there are slots. On the other hand, some groups can be full of dissension while others can be positive and supportive. So what are Eva’s favorite groups?

“I’m a proud VIP member of SL therefore I have up to 70 group slots. And I have no free slots left. Like most people, I will join an in-world group when they offer gifts and VIP privileges. By that logic, I’d say one of my favorite in-world group is MINIMAL’s. Jorge Fernández is consistent with his group gifts (every first of the month) and frequently offers discounts. For the same reason, I would also mention 8f8’s in-world group. I also love The Saturday Sales one where I often grab some nice products, previously released or new, at really good prices. And I also have to mention Elysion’s group, which is required in order to be able to visit the sim and rez in it. The fee was high when I joined [Currently the fee is L1500] but it is worth it. That sim is gorgeous.”

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Eva claimed to draw a blank when asked for a quirky story, but then she mentioned how she shared in an earlier interview that she doesn’t like cats, that she is scared of them. Yet, she uses cats in her pictures more than any other animal. That little story intrigued many readers who chatted with her about it. This inspired her to share a couple other little SL facts. “My RL eyes are as brown as mud however I’m obsessed with blue eyes and will only wear blue-ish eyes in my photos. And a bonus one, after more than four years in SL I still can’t tell SL time. It takes me a hot minute to figure out what time “midnight SLT” is, for example.”

However, I think many of us can identify why she doesn’t have a ready-made story to tell. Telling a story can breaks its spell. “Most of the stories, in my head, are stories that one has to be there and see them happen. Telling you about them would only make them dull and take away the magic,” she explained.

Turning toward more personal questions, Eva shared that her favorite was around 21 or 22. “Those were a couple of the best years of my life. I was grown, but still young enough to be naive and spontaneous. My happiest years for sure and stress-free. After that I’ve never been quite as carefree, even if I’ve had some very happy moments. It was a very fulfilling life for me in those years without any concerns or worries about any serious life issues. Unlike the year we’ve been having!”

2020 has been a hard year for all of us and for Eva, just surviving it feels like an accomplishment. It is a year that has forced people to pay attention and she is a person who would like to burrow away and find peace in ignoring the crises. That is how she finds peace. “The less I know the more peaceful I am. Also, dancing! Put on Brahms’ Rhapsody in G minor and I am in heaven.”

She identifies her best qualities as kindness and humour. “They are traits I also seek in my friends and relationships and as long as they have those two, I’m good!”

The person she most admires in the world is her father. “He’s my hero. He’s been a single father from a young age and he’s been an inspiration to me. Not artistically but professionally. He runs a successful business to which I happen to work as well and even though we’ve had a lot of arguments and differences I want to be like him when I grow up.”

She has others she admires. Asked what three people, living or dead, she would invite to dinner, if she could have anyone attend, she had an esoteric list. However, kindness and humor is definitely involved in the choices.

Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson - I love him!

Franz Kafka - We would have a lot to talk about.

Amy Schumer - She makes me laugh. A lot!

She also has a meal plan. “Spanakopita for Dr. Tyson, I believe he’d appreciate it, Mousaka for Kafka (even though I believe he’d rather drink more than eat) and a waffle with ice cream for Amy. I kind of save her for dessert.”

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Eva has a progressive view of what a better world would look like. One that focuses heavily on education. If she could snap her fingers, education would be free and thorough for everyone. “The world would be a better place if all people were educated enough to understand concepts such as “equality”, “human/animal rights”, or “deforestation” etc.”

The scariest thing she has ever done was the first time she danced on stage…”having to perform in front of my family, friends and lots of people in general, was probably the scariest thing I have ever done.

The fear of being laughed at or made fun of was the only thing I could feel. However, my ballet teacher was brilliant. She had convinced me that being an artist, means exposing yourself and thus your art to the people. And to share it with them. So part of learning to be a ballerina was to also dance in front of other people. And that’s why I did it.”

Second Life blogging, whether fashion or decor blogging is very much about beauty, finding it in objects and creating it with assembling outfits or rooms with those objects. Asked how she defined beauty, she said, “I guess you mean beauty in physical appearance? Well, in this case: “Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder” but in the end, it turns out that the way our brain decides on a person’s attractiveness is very specific. Ancient Greeks actually believed that beauty is represented by a ratio of 1:1.618.

So, if this percentage applied to art or architecture or even to faces, they thought that made them attractive. Some scientists also made researches about an ideal ratio about the distance between the eyes and the mouth etc. And that all make sense to me. However I do find a difference between beauty and attractiveness. Something beautiful doesn’t have to be attractive and vice versa.”

She concludes, “I suppose my definition of beauty would be feeling comfortable in your own skin with or without an ideal ratio of perfections and imperfections.”

And that ethos is there in her blog, every time you look at it.

Eva’s Social Media Blog - Flickr Facebook - Instagram Plurk

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The Kitchen corn photography by ma

If there is one thing that brings people together, it is food. The Second Life culture is as rich as its residents, and “The Kitchen Corner” celebrates and showcases the talents of content creators that will appeal to all “foodies.”

Collaborating with Mac Massimo of “The SL Spoon,” ECLIPSE Magazine presents an innovative approach on all things food related with fantastic imagery and an equally tried and true accompanying recipe.

Taylor Swift says you can leave the Christmas lights (and tree) up until January, so grab a plate of bruschetta and enjoy!

ner c massimo.

Easy Bruschetta 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 Italian Bread, sliced to .5 inch Olive Oil 3 Plum Tomatoes, sliced Fresh Mozzarella, sliced Fresh Basil Leaves Salt Freshly Cracked Peper Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and brush olive oil on each slice of bread.

2. Bake the bread for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

3. Once out of the oven, rub it down with fresh garlic then assemble the Bruschetta.

4. Place one leaf of basil on top of the bread, then one tomato. Sprinkle the tomato with a little salt, then top it with the fresh mozzarella and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

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across the grid

photography by wicca merlin. written by wicca merlin & DAFFODI

Second Life is vast, where in every part of the grid pieces and themes of fiction can be found. Wicca Merlin curates “Across the Grid� introducing ECLIPSE Magazine readers to fashion and places less known.

For this piece, Wicca delves into the world of vampires with fashion and inspiring places to visit.

L CRIMSON.

Are you someone acquainted with the night who finds yourself hissing at the sunlight as it rains down on your pale, pearlescent skin while you lay hidden under the covers of your bed? Do fangs protrude when you take a bite into supple flesh with its juices painting over the crest of your lips? Then perhaps you are the primal, mythical, hunter of the night that many fantasize, wish to become, be enveloped by in their embrace, hunt down, or write about. Vampires are mythological beings, primarily seen in human form, that roam the night, their appearance never aging, they rely on glamour to seek blood,their main sustenance to keep them from turning to dust.

Vampires have been found in various cultures for hundreds of years in fiction and folklore.

They are most common in Europe where it is likely the word vampire originated. Creatures with characteristics of a vampiric nature have appeared as far back as ancient Greece.. From creatures that attacked people in their sleep and drained their bodily fluids to stories of walking corpses that drank the blood of the living, vampires reached far beyond Transylvania. Those who died who were suspected of being a vampire would often be dug up and searched for signs. In some cases a stake would be driven through the heart, or the corpse would be burned or decapitated.

People wanted to be certain the dead stayed dead. Vampires became more known and evolved into a fantasy when they started to be depicted in poetry, novels, and film as supernatural beings who enchanted their prey only to drain their blood and disappear.

In the case of vampire fashion, it can range from the Gothic, with its dark color palette, to Victorian wear with their suits and waistcoats, ruffles, corsets and long, formal gowns, to steampunk, alternative and modern day clothing.

Models: Wicca Merlin & Vivien De’Lancoure Page 74 | ECLIPSE January 2021

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Visit Crossroads - Vic Page 78 | ECLIPSE January 2021

ctorian Dark Roleplay.

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Visit Land of Page 80 | ECLIPSE January 2021

f Vampires.

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Visit Legion o Page 82 | ECLIPSE January 2021

of Immortals ECLIPSE January 2021 | Page 83

the fashion of la

PHOTOGRAPHs provided by lara ubert. written by novale

ara

eigh freng.

Lara Ubert start journey with Se years ago. She w of The Sims bef found SL. While The Sims, she fo looking for som had more peop and she didn’t h finding people new friends onc into the grid. “I Lebanon (where found people an chat,” Lara told early days in Se made lots of frie still with me tod

Lara’s early day learning and ex world of Secon beginning every funny because it like jumping into without knowin sex animation, o something funn lot of beautiful m I’m grateful for.”

So, what led La world of bloggi Life? Fashion, o a little bit of ins

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ted her econd Life was a player fore she e she enjoyed ound herself mething that ple involved, have trouble and making ce she logged searched for e I’m from), and nd started to ECLIPSE of her econd Life. “I ends that are day.”

ys were spent xploring the nd Life. “In the ything was t was new, o a ball & ng that it’s a or dressing in ny. There are a memories that ”

ara into the ing in Second of course… and spiration.

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“I started to blog 8 years ago. Of course, like any other girl I liked to dress up and loved shopping. I found out about Flickr and got inspired by other bloggers there and wanted to give it a try.

At that time, I was new to Photoshop as well. Looking at my old pics now makes me see how much I’ve improved and grown both in style and Photoshop skills.” While some bloggers stick to a certain style and aesthetic, Lara says she doesn’t really have a specific style. While she loves casual and streetwear, she can find comfort in anything. Her Flickr feed is full of her photos and stylings, and as with so many bloggers and photographers who use the Flickr platform, scrolling through will give you an idea of just how much Lara and her style and photos have evolved over the years.

Lara spends about five hours on each of her photos, and is always conscious of how her items look in her photographs.

She has over thirty sponsors, and manages this load with the help of Blogotex, its VIP feature, and its ability to help her see the items her sponsors products and keep an eye on her deadlines. Her favorite is blogging for events though, because events generally give a wider variety of products with which to craft the perfect look.

“Everyone can dress up and take a picture of course, but only a few would make you stare and take a second look. Keeping the look simple but yet eye-catching is the key to a successful picture or blog,” says Lara.

So, what other advice does Lara have for those of us who are thinking of diving head first into the world of blogging in Second Life? Focus on the look instead of the background, don’t be afraid to try new things, look for inspiration when you feel it’s lacking, and… give the Black Dragon viewer a try!

“There are days that I’m not inspired and everything is not as I expected. [On those days] I usually look to Pinterest and get inspired there. The one thing I wish i knew before starting blogging is Black Dragon viewer; it made my work a lot easier and much faster.”

- Lara Ubert ECLIPSE January 2021 | Page 91

There is a misconception that often floats around about people who run fashion blogs in Second Life. Many seem to believe that bloggers come to Second Life to do nothing more than blog the items they are given and spend their time standing around on an empty parcel - or a parcel full of random boxes and home decor items. This isn’t true for many bloggers - and certainly not for Lara.

While she can be a bit quiet, Lara enjoys hanging out with her friends in Second Life, chatting, playing games, and checking out Second Life’s shopping events.

Her family - including the one in Second Life - always comes first. However, when not enjoying their company, watching her favorite Turkish drama, or jamming out to her favorite pop songs, Lara says it’s still important that she has her own space. This isn’t entirely related to blogging, though blogging has become Lara’s primary focus of late. She still makes time to chat with her friends.

“I’m definitely an introverted person,” Lara told ECLIPSE. “I like my own space. I need time to recharge and to focus.”

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Lara has managed to create a nice balance between her real life and Second Life - something that she believes is important. While she strives to keep the two separate, she does credit Second Life for bringing her friendships that have crossed into her real world, and for helping her discover a new hobby in Second Life photography. Lara keeps her friends list short and keeps to herself, but her own growth and the encouraging words from others keep her coming back.

“To see how much my pics have improved through the years makes me want to learn and to grow more. Seeing that people get inspired by me, or how they declare their love and the beautiful words they say about me when they see me in-world, makes me so happy. It’s an amazing feeling to know that I have touched people’s lives and got them to take pics.”

- Lara Ubert Interested in knowing more about Lara? Follow her on Flickr.

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THE wayfarer...

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAYLO

“The Wayfarer” is a monthly feature showcasing some of the most aesthetic places in Second Life®.

His eyes blinked back twice, as the Wayfarer acclimated himself to this new land. A single eyebrow would lift as the name “Curiousity Lake” echoed within the confines of his mind, as a ghost of a smile formed on his lips. The cool air offered a respite from the cold winter weather other lands had made him accustomed to, while he took a deep breath, immersing himself in this autumn inspired getaway. Quietly, he tread upon the graveled earth that mingled with the yellowed grass and with each step he took, the feeling of peace slowly overcame him.

OR WASSEP.

Discover yourself at Curiousity Lake.

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the fashion of sc

PHOTOGRAPHs provided by scar requiem. written by tayl

car

lor wassep.

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Scar is an avid gamer, you can usually catch him playing Dead by Daylight when he isn’t gallivanting around Second Life with friends. In addition to having an eye for an image, Scar is a huge animal advocate. If you have seen any of his photographs, you will notice there are a number of animal pictures in it. Most recently, he did a photo paying tribute to one of his pets.

Scar shared this painful moment in his life and received a tsunami of responses that was overwhelming to him. That demonstrates the importance of sharing and sending out positivity in the world.

For Scar, being such an introvert, it was reassuring to have this common connection with so many people over a heartbreaking event in his life.

Scar feels satisfaction when he is able to invoke emotions when producing and exploring photography in both worlds.

Being a photographer in his real life, Scar was able to take what he personal expertise and apply it to his virtual life when it comes to photography. Being able to bring emotion out in his photos; be they sad, happy or comical, those are the kind of photographs that inspire Scar. Being able to tell stories through photographs can be a task in and of itself. Having the eye to capture a moment in time is an art even through the medium of a virtual world.

Nevertheless, we all had to start somewhere and we all eventually find your niche or where we fit best when it comes to our enjoyment in Second Life. Expression through various means comes easy to some and harder for others. So let’s see how Scar navigated through the “0’s” and “1’s” to where he is today.

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Scar learned about Second Life after a friend mentioned this platform to him. From there, he created an avatar and was taken to one of those large, doorless warehouses that offer a slew of freebies to new residents. But, having no real idea of what to do, Scar decided to leave the virtual grid for a few months before returning.

To what he returned to was something else.

“When I did return I found myself on a multi-sim vampire family hangout/mall. This was long before bloodlines and was a mixture of roleplay and OOC fun. That was my home for the first few years.”

– Scar Requiem As the years went by, he found his way into blogging though it started out as just a fun hobby to have in another game. Blogging wasn’t his intention when he started to take photos, he just had the thought of, “Wow, that would make a great picture.” So that was Scar’s starting point, and from there, he blossomed into a true visionary when it comes to his own style of photography.

Speaking of which, when asked about his unique style, Scar finds that he is quite versatile when it comes to doing his photos. He is adaptable to whatever needs his sponsors ask from him as he considers how to express it through his own style. Regardless of what is asked of him, Scar always tries to create an inviting space within his photos.

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“Some posts can fall into place so easily and quickly with a few snaps, hardly any editing, and done. Some posts can take days because I’ll make a scene, find the poses, style my avatar then nothing works so I try again the next day.”

– Scar Requiem It’s important to consider the amount of time you can give to these projects.. Blogging in Second Life is a form of advertising for stores.

That isn’t to say that advertising and artistry cannot be express in the same picture. Scar has commented that he could do better in “marketing” himself more, but that isn’t the point of why he continues blogging. If you can put in the hours and feel proud of what you are presenting to the world, “Bravo,” as Scar said in the interview. He added there are no magic numbers when it comes to how many stores should someone commit to.

Since this article is dedicated to Scar and his impressive win as Best Male Blogger. We thought it would apropos to find out his thoughts on the blogging community as a whole. When asked about the kind of advice he would give to newer bloggers or to people who might want to refresh their blogs to possibly appeal to a newer audience, Scar had some thoughts.

His best advice would be to work out early why you want to blog. Knowing why you blog will make the difference from being a lasting blog or a flash in the pan. Wanting to be praised is one thing, showcasing work through blogging for machinima are two vastly different things.

He recommends you try not to get addicted to that validation you get from Flickr™ likes and application approvals, if you use Blogotex™.

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“Everyone is on a different journey and you can’t compare yourself to someone with years of experience.

Find your voice, find your style, and do you.”

– Scar Requiem Find items that scream inspiration at the top of its lungs. When you see something that you instantly get an idea of – don’t hesitate. These guidelines have helped Scar numerous times when it comes to him getting out of creative ruts. This Brings us back to how to showcase your work. Each person will have their own personal style in how they want to present their blogs. Never let others dictate how you should express yourself. Take your own path and it will be faithful to you, I mean if you could be the best version of yourself when it comes to blogging and photography; why choose to be the second best version of someone else.

Second Life has changed a lot over the last decade or so. If you were around back in the day, you will know all too well the evolution from slider hair to prim hair, to now mesh and animesh accessories to wear around. Long time members will also remember the gamble when you take one of those teleport invites from a friend while not knowing if you will be teleported fully attached to what you left wearing.

Everything changes, but the people are still the same amazing people Scar found over fourteen years ago. They just look a little better and are not wearing as much flexi and bling. These days would be considered Scar’s “golden years” after being around so long. Fourteen years of constant partying and debauchery to being The Bloggies 2020 Best Male Blogger, Scar has lived a great Second Life so far, and it will only get better and crazier from here.

Follow Scar on Flickr.

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Voices from the g

Voices From the Grid is a monthly survey of opinions and ideas of Second Life® residents on the salient issues of the day.

For this issue, ECLIPSE Magazine we asked residents to share “2020 has been a difficult year for people across the world.

Looking back to this past year - either in your first or Second Life, what have you overcome and how does that give you hope for the coming year?”

grid

Photograph provided by A. Salvatore.

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A

A. SALVATORE

Salvatore [JaySon93] A stands for Arqit3ct. A. Salvatore joined SL December 2018 out of fun, to hang with friends and see what SL is about, but he didn’t really JOIN till April next year and ever since he’s been caught by the storm. He met his wife and started blogging. All the rest is history. Events, blogging, exploring, spending time with my wife is all what he is doing on SL. Recently he had to leave a lot of sponsors because it’s all time consuming and he doesn’t want to lose or ruin relationship with his soulmate. Priorities had to get in order.

I am an onion. A person with so many layers that can be discovered daily if you are willing to scratch the surface. That is what my wife calls me. I am a very passionate person in anything I do and in the way I love. My best qualities are that I am trustworthy, loving, kind, honest, loyal to the core, respectful, responsible, righteous, empathic, compassionate, funny, charming, and ambitious, I do get easily angered, and most people find me intimidating and arrogant, but that is not me. Same as all, I do have my flaws too, I can be unreasonable, stubborn, and cold, ask my wife lol. I came across this quote and its very accurate when it comes to me: “I don’t know how to be anything other than intense.I don’t know how to experience without feeling too much or thinking too much. I don’t know how to sit still and quiet my mind and just be. I am always searching, always questioning, struggling to find the meaning in everything. I am passionate and I am deep, and even if I am misunderstood, I am finally ok with that.“ Since this is self-advertising I think I got enough in. To answer your question, this year indeed has been difficult for all people across the world. I never would have dreamt this would happen, but it did. I lost my job. I am staying home and trying my best to help my family and people by keeping the distance and saving our lives by not having any contacts. I think that is what matters to keep everyone alive, it’s not the time to be selfish. I sometimes lose hope but then again I wake up thanking the Lord that I am still alive and safe and sound along with my family, my darling wife and everyone I know. I pray and hope all this will be over soon and the world that we know, will be even better after this. Stay safe and strong.

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Photograph provided by Seren.

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S

eren [Serenaelia Villiers] goes by Seren most of the time because who wants to pronounce such a long and awkward name?) She is a woman who wanted to escape the harshness of reality and decided to join Second Life (SL) in January 2019. She concentrated her efforts understanding the mechanics of the game and of course, perfecting the art of shopping. Aside from being a fashion lover, she enjoyed capturing special moments or magnificent landscapes designed by the talented SL community.

seren

In September 2019, she was introduced to the wonderful world of blogging where she was provided the opportunity to combine both her passions: fashion and photography.

Her main interests are decorating her homes (yes, homes, because she changes them like she changes outfits), going out dancing with her friends, family, and husband Claus, exploring various sim locations, or spamming Facebook posts with hearts, hug emoticons, annoying gifs, or sassy comments. Her dream is to master the ability to mesh and create wonderful creations for the SL community (being technologically impaired, let us wish her good luck with that one!) Her achievements to date are to have been nominated in September 2020 for a Bloggie award, being invited to display her work in two art exhibitions, and featuring as a guest blogger in several events. She gladly admitted being a massive noob with her photography skills but is always seeking to improve her skills or ask advice from anyone who is willing to share their knowledge with her. Her final confession is to admit her main goal is to make people happy with her pictures.

Looking back to this past year, all I have to say is this: “Is there a time traveler in the house to turn back time one year please?” What a challenging year for many of us.

As for me, since I have the most boring life in existence, it has only affected the way I work in real life. I am currently working from home and loving it! I will admit I did have some challenges, but the one affecting me the most is seeing some of my friends suffer due to the loss of family members to Covid-19 and the surge of racism. It is so hard to see the ones you love suffer. And how can you overcome such an emotional hammer? I am still trying to figure that out, but do manage it through laughter, positive images, and offering emotional support when they feel lost or sad. Nothing hurts me more than a friend or a loved one in pain. I have tried to be less sensitive and not let things affect me so much, but that is my constant struggle in life and I am not sure I will ever win!

2020 is definitely my “testing ground” to become a bit more “tough skinned” as they say...well I think that is how they say it (French being my first language is such an impairment at times!) Living in Canada, I didn’t have to experience the hardship my American friends and my family living in the US had to go through this year, but I sure felt it to the very core of my being. Do I have hope things will get better in the future? Of course, I do. Mankind is resilient and can overcome the direst situations (If you saw “The Postman” with Kevin Costner, you will know what I mean). I hope with all my heart and soul that people will realize how, at times, they can be so evil with their words, will tone it down a bit, and show a bit more compassion towards others. That is what I am hopeful for and I know it can happen! In the meantime, I will simply continue drinking my wine and play SL where I am fortunate to be surrounded by good friends.

Check out her Flickr and Blog.

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Photograph provided by Luah Benelli.

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luah benelli

L

uah Benelli is Brazilian and joined Second Life in 2007 at a place called “Ilha Brasil.” in my Second Life. I love doing what I do and I’m very happy to be able to share a little of my story in Second Life. As she met new people in SL, she entered the world of role-play, which she found fascinating. She later began blogging, inspired by the many excellent bloggers already working. So today she already works as a blogger and loves what she does. She also has a small Marketplace store where she focuses on creating shapes.

This year of 2020 was a year of overcoming I believe for all of us, the lesson left is that we have to look, listen and feel what others are trying to tell us. Be more fraternal, learn from differences and how important it makes us, so that in the coming years we can move with more optimism and hope for all situations.

Check out her Flickr, Blog, Facebook and Marketplace.

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Photograph provided by Sara Rowley.

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sara rowley

ara Rowley joined Second Life in 2012 when she was surfing the web looking for games to spend her free time with. When she arrived she was enchanted with the interactivity of the game, with the possibilities of visiting beautiful places and interacting with people from all over the world. In these many walks in Second Life, one thing was certain, the items of the construction of the game with all its details enchanted her every day. She played on islands of Dcs, Rpg, made many friends and as time went by they left and when her nucleus of friends became small and the islands of these systems were running out she became interested in photography, fashion and decoration, it was when she discovered the bloggers’ work in 2015, where she could unite what she most liked to do by sharing her work with people. It was through Second Life that she learned about photo editing, Photoshop and other applications that helped her later in her real life work. Sara is very happy with the time she spends here, it is her hobby, her distraction, she loves her blogger job, strolling the beautiful islands, visiting fashion and decoration events, socializing with her dear friends have made Second Life an extension of her life real.

We are reaching the end of 2020, a fateful year, difficult in every possible and imaginable way for the whole world. A virus that has plagued entire nations and mobilized the world to look at life in a totally different way. It was a year that moved me a lot, I was very afraid, frustrated, I feared and still fear for my family.

But this time of uncertainty and suspension of routines became for me a time of reflection, a leap of consciousness towards a more meaningful life. A time when individualism prevails and whoever can save themselves. A virus comes that says that you are part of humanity and that this humanity must be respected and protected, yours and the others’. At a time when we are exchanging physical contact and eye to eye for messages and virtual encounters, a virus arrives and prohibits physical contact and the presence of the other. And only now, in the impossibility shown by the virus, in the absence of hugs, do we realize the real dimension of the presence of the other, like the condemned person who only in prison knows the true meaning of freedom. At a time when humanity boasts technological advances, manned drones and tourism on the moon… A virus reminds us that nothing has really changed, we are still at the mercy of epidemics and catastrophes, just like the men of the year 500 BC, of the ​​ century XIV and XVIII. A virus comes to match us and remind us that we all have the same fragile body, which hurts, gets sick and dies.

I think we all overcame many things and for me this time of uncertainty and suspension of routines was a leap of conscience towards a life with more meaning, more responsibility and much happier. My heart is filled with hopes so that we can be better prepared to build a better world for everyone and that the year that comes is an open door to new dreams, renewals of faith and much peace for our world! Happy 2020 Check out her Flickr, Blog and Facebook.

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Photograph provided by Wicked Cahile.

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wicked cahile

icked Cahile [frostingz] joined Second Life two and a half years ago. She came to spend some peace and quiet time away from real life. Little did she know that it would become a haven, a second home to her. Her love for music found her frequenting Ministry Of Trance, where she found family. She started hosting there and at other clubs until the present day. She is a SHOP-A -HOLIC, which introduced her to Flickr and put her on the path to meeting her soulmate Jiannis, in SL and in real life which was the best thing that could ever happen to her. They are inseparable, if you see one, the other is sure to follow. In the past few months, she has taken to blogging and enjoys being able to show off creators’ work. She was once overheard saying “Second Life gave me the opportunity to be myself, with no boundaries.” She is by habit very friendly and kind, and always there when a friend needs anything. The best thing she likes to do here in Second Life is just staying home with her husband.

This year has been trying for everyone in one way or another, Its effects are felt all around the world and also here in Second Life. The impact made changed life as we know it forever, making us view things very differently. The little things we took for granted we now miss. Not being able to enjoy times with family and friends. Or just meeting up with someone to have a coffee and chat. That’s when Second Life played an important role to me and most likely to the rest of the SL Community. Rather than risking going places, I was able to do it right from my home. In fact, SL let me do what I truly want and don’t in reality, it let me talk and express opinions and feelings with people from all over.

On a more personal level, I was able to spend more time with my husband and do what we had put off doing. Discovering amazing sims, take the photos we planned and never did, clubbing, connecting with our friends from all over the world, and his favorite pastime “a good ole debate.” Jiannis is my inspiration, my main reason this year has gone as smoothly as it has. Every day together is a brand new day and I always look forward to it. This time together has brought us much closer. It allowed me to take a step back and slow down, thankful for what I have.

I think even with all the social distancing, Second Life is a place that allows us to connect with others, Our home away from home, helping us all overcome the craziness of 2020. I came across a quote that sums it up for me “This year, be so busy with love, life, and family that hatred and fears have no time to occupy you.”

I wish this for everyone in both worlds for 2021!

Check out her Blog and Flickr.

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Photograph provided by Anael Starr.

A

nael Starr [Anaelah] is an SL model and fashionista who joined SL on Dec 11, 2012, curious as to what this virtual world was. After a couple of months exploring and understanding SL, she stumbled upon a fashion show and immediately became fascinated with SL high fashion couture.

She then decided to immerse herself in the modeling world and graduated from Metaverse Modeling Academy in June 2015 where she successfully produced the graduation show.

Since then she has been blogging for various events and designers, belongs to various modeling agencies and participates in runway shows as a model or host. She has written fashion magazine articles, hosted fashion video segments in “EyeWatch Inworld News” (no longer aired) and served as a judge in various competitions. Anael also produces her own fashion video segments and video reports on fashion shows and other activities in her youtube channel “Rhythms to Fashions of SL”

Among Anael’s achievements in the modeling world, is having been crowned Miss. Virtual Diva 2018, “The face of Fashion” and joining the “The Fantasy Angels Co” where she is a top angel and participates in various yearly shows. She also won the Fashicon Competition July 2020 and will go into the finals in December.

Ms. Starr is also exploring the kids fashion industry and is working on her new line “Starr Kids”

Anael shares her SL life with fiance Erwin Lockhart, a landscaper and builder. Together they prepare dream wedding venues, he prepares the landscaping and she adds the wedding decorations. When they are not working, they are out shopping, exploring, dancing or just having fun. They currently live in “Starr City” a sim designed by Erwin which represents the best of New York from where Anael is originally from, and which will be open to the public once it is finished.

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Indeed 2020 has been a very difficult year, one that I thought I’d never have to live. It started off in the beginning of January with a series of earthquakes in my area, a lot of historical buildings were damaged or destroyed. Living day by day not knowing if the next one would be stronger than the one before. As weeks went by we kind of got used to the earth shaking with minor quakes. Towards the end of January I remember when I first heard the news of the virus in China, at the time it seemed like something distant, something halfway across the world that would never reach us.

anael starr

Reality is it did reach us, and with it came the challenges and difficulties of trying to work from home and keep our family and loved ones safe. Each new day presented a new challenge of the simplest things, like getting groceries, buying fresh bread or vegetables.

Second Life has been an escape from this reality, and has also helped me realize there were things I could do to reinvent myself and help with some basic needs. If I could have a vegetable garden in SL. Why couldn’t I have one in RL also? If I make bread in SL, why not make bread in RL also. So I began planting a RL vegetable garden and to this day have harvested lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes and other local veggies.

I have also learned how to bake bread and other pastries. It has been a difficult time, but there is always something positive gained. Before this we were living a busy hectic life, commuting to work takes 1.5 to 2 hours each way, and therefore on my way back home I would always pick up something to eat and only had time to cook on weekends.

With the lockdown and working from home, I have been able to prepare our meals every day, therefore having a healthier diet, spending more quality time with my kids, and doing things together, sharing conversations about their college and life dreams while baking all sorts of goodies to share with neighbors. Getting everything done early I have also had the opportunity to be logged on to Second Life more hours, doing what I like best, and it’s to be creative. Since February I have been dating a long time friend Erwin Lockhart who has turned my Second Life around and has been a blessing. He has given me tremendous emotional support, at the same time that we have grown together learning from each other. I have learned to create better sceneries for my blogs, and learned a lot more about landscaping.

Looking back now at this year, I can say there has not been a difficulty that I have not been able to work around. It has not been easy, but the secret is not giving up and learning to leave your comfort zone. The biggest challenge definitely has been the drastic change in our daily routine, adjusting to it and our eating habits, which have been for the better.

Looking forward to the new year, I know this pandemic eventually will come to an end, leaving behind big lessons learned. I look forward to planting a bigger garden, so I don’t have to depend on supermarkets for fresh vegetables and other crops. I look forward to visiting family, hugging and kissing everyone without the fear of getting sick. I look forward to meeting my SL fiance in RL and spending time together.

I think 2020 has been a year that has given us a “reality check”, practically stopping the world, making us think, “What are we doing wrong?” I have learned to stop and take time out of my daily routine to share quality time with my family, and with my SL partner, because tomorrow is promised to no one.

Check out her Flickr, Blog and Facebook.

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the art perspect

PHOTOGRAPHY BY gidge uriza. written by gi

Each piece, ECLIPSE Magazine discovers, reviews and highlights the work of some of the most creative and talented artists on the grid, offering a fresh perspective in the vibrant and vast world of the arts.

For this month’s feature, Gidge Uriza introduces the work of Denali and the 19 Art Gallery.

tive

idge uriza.

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I stumbled into The Floating Lotus Art Gallery after a few days of seeking something that diverged from what I’ve shared before, but couldn’t put my finger on what I was looking for. “Something different” is not a good search phrase.. I immediately knew I had landed at the right place when, after several teleports to not-so-great galleries, I saw the explosions of color at The Floating Lotus Art Gallery.

Artist Denali brings incredible details, color and light to her pencil work, sometimes even invoking the sharp details of a woodcut reminiscent of Durer with her own attention to detail in each piece. Her black and white offerings particularly reminded me of that, as I gazed into the details seeing each little stroke on the page. From afar they meld to make an image of smooth grace and beauty but up close the details are surprising and impressive.

Her favorite medium, she shares, is the pencil.

This is evident from many of the extraordinary pencil work pieces in the store. She shares that drawing is a passion, and she loves to draw the things she sees around her for inspiration to create her art. She includes watercolors, pastels and block printing as other mediums which inspire and fuel her creativity. In the gallery you’ll find that no matter what medium she does choose, her expression with it is cause for you to stop and admire the work.

She is talented at sharing human faces and forms, sometimes hiding within a greater image in the piece, but what I think I find most breathtaking are her representations of birds and animals. Her plays of color, geometry and light give me pause and make me consider the painting much longer than their human counterparts. A painting of what seems to be rolling hills in shades of beige layered According to her biographical info in the store, upon one another transforms into a sleeping her artwork reflects the love and happiness dog, the kind you want to pet and love she has received in Second Life. Her artwork immediately. Colors and lines slip shape to is generated from real=life paintings, drawing birds and bursts of blue are in fact butterflies and sketches and she uses a mix of traditional swarming a tree dying in fall light. media and digital editing to create her work here on the grid.

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Additionally she’s created an outdoor environment surrounding her gallery that is inviting and relaxing. You can even teleport to her rooftop sanctuary where you are greeted with - you might not be surprised by this - a floating lotus. This gallery was delightful to take in and I was equally impressed at her community involvement, such as helping to support a recent Doctors Without Borders event. Being part of the greater community makes this gallery even more impressive - so frequently I find that many of us stand apart too often, and it’s a reminder to myself to do better.

You can view the lovely works of Denali by visiting The Floating Lotus.

19 Gallery was a spot I was intrigued by as soon as I landed. One of the things that I have lately found entertaining is the use of animesh humans or NPCs to create a more living experience at a place. So often you visit a place and you’re the only one there, and it’s comforting, even more humanizing to have these statues there, taking up space near you, seemingly frozen in their own world and participating in the space with you. While

I’m not sure that the use of SPOCK as one is licensed and approved, I’m also not the copyright police so I was pleased to see an old friend. Who knew he likes art too?

This gallery is on an open air parcel, surrounded by homes, in a style typical of the mainland where things tend to be mashed together however folks can make them work.

The effect is not all bad. I’m not a snob against the mainland - it is interesting to see how things can fit together from parcel to parcel or not.

The work in this gallery is best described as multi-media, as both images from the grid and other sources are combined for a layered effect. The current exhibit being shared across the gallery seems has a theme of crows perhaps the theme is murder? Artist Nima Benoir has put a lot of energy into creating a thematic expression of color against the black of the ravens. They might be flying AT her subjects, or with them. It’s up to you to decide.

19 art gallery can be found here.

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the proust spotli

photography by doc

The Proust Spotlight is our monthly feature where we highlight one of the many creative residents of Second LifeÂŽ.

Utilizing the Proust Questionnaire, whose namesake comes from the late 19th century French writer, we will offer a glimpse into what makes them tick.

The blogger we feature this month is the talented Doc Mercury. She shares, “I hail from Scotland. I stand around and look pretty most days (my friends will vouch for me on that one). I love to decorate. I decided to start my own business a while back, but full of self-doubt I pushed it to one side to concentrate on my blogging which I love to do.

Apparently, my friends think I am informative about anything home and decor and will come to me when they need to find something. I love life in general and I will dance my way around it.�

ght

c mercury.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I would say that I overuse “bloody hell” quite a lot, and no not because Ron Weasley says it (a lot) lol. I have used that saying for everything in my life for longer than Ron has been born. Lol. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Becoming a nurse in RL. People would tell me that I wouldn’t amount to anything, that I would never go to university. But I worked hard during my degree, harder than most I would say to pass my degree and become a nurse. I have got this!

What do you most value in your friends?

Honesty and loyalty.

What is your greatest regret?

I regret nothing in my life, it wouldn’t have made me the person I am today.

How would you like to die?

Quickly. Sleeping.

What is your motto?

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.”

And also “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to end, it’s about learning do dance in the rain.” I stole them both, but they are damn good ones and represent me accurately.

Connect with Doc on her Flickr, Facebook and Blog.

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