Articles

Featured Artist: Allie Dee

November 2006

I first discovered Allie Dee when she began sharing her artwork with the Ratlist. She is the Better Holes and Garbage Featured Artist for November.

BHG
What sort of art do you do?

Allie
A few sorts. Computer generated art using Gimp; photography and photomanipulation, and just recently I got into stencil art.

BHG
Are you self taught?

Allie
I like to think so. I had a bit of influence from people such as Banksy and my boyfriend and I did the odd art and photography class at school but I don't really think anybody taught me as such.

BHG
Were you always into art, or was there a specific moment or inspiration that got you into it?

Allie
I was always into art and even other arts like acting and singing, and still am. There have been blank times when I haven't produced anything for about a year or so but always bounced back with something to make up for that lack of inspiration.

BHG
So how did you get introduced to the wonderful world of rats?

Allie
When I was about 13 I'd become bored of just cats and dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits and I wanted to have a pet that was different and that nobody else had. So I begged my mother to let me have one since she was the pet authority and she always said no. It wasn't until about 15 that I got my first rat, Kelemma, when my mother finally gave up and we bought her home. I've been hooked on the gorgeous critters ever since.

BHG
Did you plan on using them in your artwork, or did it just happen unintentionally?

Allie
Well, I don't know really. I read on the Ratlist about peoples' rats who had done artwork after being dipped in paint and I thought I'd dip my rats' feet in food colouring and try it out. I got some nice results and a few weeks later when I was feeling artistic I painted a picture of one of my rats on my computer to share with others. I don't know if it was either planned or unintentional!

BHG
Would you say you've been inspired by anyone as far as rat art or art in general?

Allie
Yeah, Banksy the UK graffiti artist is definitely a big name to drop when it comes to inspiration, and my boyfriend is quite the artist himself and he introduced me to stenciling, specialising in stencil art himself so he's inspired me quite a bit as well.

BHG
Is there any way that those interested in your art should contact you?

Allie
Sure, my Deviant Art page or my email at staticraisins@gmail.com.