1. What got you interested in making icons?

It was a few things actually; the fact that I seemed to be the only woman of color in chat, all of the images of woman of color were porn in nature that I did find and I hated waiting on people to making them for me. So I decided that I could do it myself.


2. Tell us a little about who chai is?

Oh goodness, chai is a 54 year old, single woman living in St Louis, Mo. I am a new first time grandmother as of Feb 16th, 2011. I have two adult children; a son who still lives in Kansas, and my daughter who lives in Baltimore. Last year I decided that it was time for a change in my life, so I upped and moved to Baltimore with daughter and her husband but I didn’t like the city layout much, and in May moved to St Louis with my sister and her family. It was the best spontaneous thing I have ever done in my life. I have a different view of life after having walked to close to that “light” during a couple of surgeries. My motto: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, it is ALL small stuff.”


3. What paint program (s) do you use? Do you use any filters or tubes?
How about favorite fonts … do you have any?

I use Adobe Photo Shop for my static icons and PSP 7 and animation for my animations and detailed coloring. I use tubes, but most of the special touches or adornments I make when I need them. My favorite fonts are too numerous to name, but I do love the unique funky fonts like Kalligrand Script. It is hard to say as I have over 1000 fonts.


4. If you are like the rest of us, do you search endlessly for pics to make into icons?
Do you search with a particular person in mind, or just surf around saving what you like?  

I pretty much surf to find images. Sometimes they scream for a particular person or it is just a darn good image, so I will save it and someone will mention they are looking for something and I just may have it.

 

5. Who or what has influenced your style?

 I am not sure what my style might be so with that being said; I can credit CND, who taught me the basics, freesia taught me layers and placing of text and I have picked up tips here and there by studying icons from various artists. My need to improve and create eye popping, stunning icons pushes me, so the various artists about Pork are ones that influence me. The one person who inspires me to attempt new and different things to push my limits is, Ms Trinna.  


6. Any helpful hints you might offer us?

The cut of the blank can make or break the end product. I have had to redo icons because of the cut. A rule of thumb that I use is this, if I it isn’t good enough for me to wear, then it isn’t good enough for anyone else to wear.


7. Do you prefer making icons as gifts or are there times you will take an order?

I don’t have a preference, however, orders are simpler for me as I can get an idea from the person as to what they want/like and add my own flare to it.


8. What type of icons do you enjoy making most?  

Any and all types of icons bring me a great deal of joy. I love animations but not many request for them these days so I am a bit rusty with them.


9. The least?

The icons least enjoyed would be the ones where the requester asks for so many different things to be added to an image. It can be done most times but it doesn’t always look good. It can take away from the voice of the image.


10. Your biggest pet peeve regarding icon making?

Being told the icon is great and loved and later seeing that same person picking it apart.


11.Anything else you would like to add?  

Thank You for choosing me.