Renderosity’s Artist of the Month for January, 2025, is Virginiese, known to friends and family as Virginie, a lovely fifty year-old French woman born and living in the north-eastern part of France, near the border with Germany.

She studied scientific disciplines at the University of Metz, became a teacher, and eventually married a retired professor in computer science.

“He is certainly the one who got me interested in computers and then computer design,” she said, adding, “also, my mother has been creating beautiful acrylic paintings for 30 years and that definitely influenced my interest in art.”

What was it that sparked your interest in computer design work?

I recall that in the late ‘90s my husband bought a version of Vue d’Esprit 3, the landscape editor that became Vue owned by Bentley Systems now. He was impressed with its possibilities but, strangely, I was the one who started to create some scenes with this 3D software.

About the same time, my husband offered me my first digital camera (a Nikon Coolpix) and gave me some advice about the composition of a picture.

What was the process moving from getting a first feel for the tools and software to creating images you were pleased with and wanted to share with others? 

I think that, at first, you produce an image for yourself: you create your own world or story. But, soon, you realize that this world or story is interesting only if you share it with other people. They may discover and find your universe interesting.
Moreover, sharing your artwork helps bring some interesting feedbacks and advice.

                                                                                                                                                         by Virginiese 

What were the first programs and tools you used to create your art and what have you graduated into now?

For editing landscapes, I still use Vue because I find it is powerful software that gives some good results.
For the portraits, I used to work with Poser but I’ve changed for DAZ Studio which is more complicated to work with at first but it does produce really realistic renders.
And as for my pictures, I’ve changed my Nikon Coolpix for a DLSR camera: a Pentax K-7. I always take it with me in all my travels.

How would you describe your style?

I don’t know if I really have a style; I mainly try to create a beautiful image… I focus on the light and the atmosphere of my scenes: it seems important to me to create a warm and quiet mood.
I also like to share the beautiful things or landscapes I’ve seen and captured with my camera.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere: in countries and places I’ve been lucky to visit, in books or movies, in artworks I’ve seen in museums and even in conversations with friends. Something catches my eye, and I try to capture it with my camera or to reproduce it with 3D software.

What’s the most important tool you use for your work? Why?

Since I have no skills at all in painting and drawing in any classical way, I really like using my 3D software (Vue and DAZ Studio) because they give me the possibility to express my creativity.
I like experimenting and pushing the limits (mine of course but also the ones of the software)

                                                                                                                                                           by Virginiese             

You only recently joined Renderosity, but did you create images for long before that? How has your work changed over the years? 

I joined Renderosity about the same time I began creating images. I quickly found out it was a beautiful place to meet some great artists (some even became my friends), to share some advice and opinions and of course to find some answers to my problems thanks to the forums and comments in the gallery.

My first images were rather simple and had no atmosphere. Renderosity certainly helped me out to improve my skills, being more confident and demanding with my artwork. In other words, it helped me to mature.

If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

That is a difficult question!
I certainly have a great admiration for the artists of the Renaissance or the Impressionists. I admire the softness of the Madonna’s face in Raphael’s paintings, the perfect proportions in Michelangelo’s statues or the atmosphere in Monet’s scenes.

But I regularly dine with my mother who is also a very gifted artist! (smile)

What are your favorite subjects? What do you really get immersed in?

I like capturing or creating landscapes but also nature. I like the serenity in these subjects, maybe because our world is becoming distressing, and we need to recall that our planet is beautiful and needs our care.

                                                                                                                                                        by Virginiese 

Your images seem very personal to you and appear tagged to meaningful events in your life. Is there more you can elaborate on that?

Well, it’s true that some images are more meaningful to me. For example, the picture of my wedding bouquet reminds me of some sweet memories: it was a great experience and I had the idea to photography my bouquet to keep them in mind.
I also like my picture for the Paper Doll contest organized by Renderosity. It was the first time I won a prize with my artwork: I realized then that my creations were interesting and appreciated by other peoples.

Is or are there other artists that influence you, or do you have a mentor that has helped at any point?

Oh! Sure! For example I really admire the photography of KarmaSong: the composition, the light and the colors in its pictures always amaze me and are a source of inspiration. I’ve got so much to learn to be as good as him as a photographer.
Gaius, on the other hand, has a great talent with DAZ Studio and he puts together 2D backgrounds and 3D objects so well!  And his humor, even when he points out a serious problem, always puts a smile on my face. He is able to tell a story with a single image: a rare gift!
I regularly ask some advice to both of them …But, there are so many talented artists there!

What ideas do you have for future projects?

Well, it’s winter in my country. Maybe I will create a wintery scene with Vue if I have time as my work is very demanding.

                                                                                                                                  by Virginiese

What tips do you have for those who are just getting started in 3D artwork?

Never give up! Practice, try new experiences! And your art will become more and more beautiful.
Bob Ross (a famous American painter and moderator of “The Joy of Painting”) said, ”Every day you paint is a good day”

Any last thoughts for the community?

I want to take this opportunity to say how I appreciate the community of Renderosity for its kindness and its support!

Most of all, I want to thank the whole Renderosity team for having selected me as Artist of the Month. It’s a really great honor and I’m still impressed.