11/08/2012 Meet the Artist ~ MsGatamon
What is your name (and usernames)? Janet Zaharias MsGatamon on both the My Little Pony Trading Post and My Little Pony Arena and any other MLP site you see that name. You can also find me in Etsy as MrsGsPonies
Where are you from? I currently live in Utah, USA. But started out in California.
Age- ;P 32
How long have you been customizing? 5 years
What got you started? A coworker told me about an Evil My Little Pony his sister bought from Hot Topic. So I searched the internet to find this evil pony. I could not find that toy but through my searching I saw many a custom MLP. I instantly fell in love with them all. I studied the tutorials, ordered hair, bought paint and a brush, then dived right in.
What types of customs do you do? I am still developing my own style. Many of my customs have a personal touch. I like to hide names or initials Some of the ponies I sell have the option to be monogrammed. I have recently branched out into birth stone ponies. If the pony is for a friend or family member I take the time to design a pony that says something about the person or means something to them. If I do not know enough then I will do an interview or more. Similar to this one.
What sort of mediums do you use? The basic; bait ponies, acrylic paint, glitter, sculpting stuff, ect. I also get very creative with beads, Mod Podge Outdoor, and polymer clay.
Are there any products you just can’t live without? Bait ponies, detail brush, good paint, TIME TO WORK ON MY STUFF.
What is your most favorite custom you have made? Amethyst Wings is at the top of my list. When working on her I realized that I love doing abstract. She is a birthstone pony I designed just for me and is so shiny and sparkly with really long glossy hair.
What is your least favorite custom you have made? Any custom I never finished. Especially the ones threw against the wall or slammed into the trash.
What is the worst injury you’ve had from working on customs? I have shoved a few things under my nails by accident. Always hard enough to draw blood.
What is the funniest mistake you’ve made while working on your art? No funny mistakes yet. I love my mistakes.
Who/What inspires you? The person I am making the pony for and the supplies I have on hand.
What projects are you currently working on? I have four important projects I am working on right now. I have a beloved Sweet Stuff who is one of two ponies that survived tragedy. She is extremely far gone for a MLP. Eventually I will get around to giving her an extreme glamour make-over that will include real gemstone eyes to replace her twinkle eyes. I have been working on Final Fantasy ponies for my husband. I will probably work on them till the end of my days. There are so many characters, monsters, aeons, summons, and even spells that can be poniefied. I have two larger customs that I will be entering into next year’s Utah State Fair and possibly the Salt Lake County Fair. The first is My Special Pony. She was a G3 Styling sized Star Song that I painted all black. I have been decorating her with hibiscus blooms made out of tiny raised dots of copper, gold, and silver. I have been keeping a journal of the time I have spend on her just to see how long it takes me do make her. The second is a G4 FS pegasus, formerly Rainbow Dash not Derpy. I have been taking suggestions from the pony community on what to do with her. I have not started any work on her yet other then striping her hair and factory paint. When I do start her she will be done a stained glass mosaic.
Do you have any odd habits while working on customs? More gross then odd. I have been trying to break myself of the habit of using my lips to reshape my paint brush. If I make a mistake with my painting and panic I give the mistake a quick lick.
What types of art do you enjoy? I do not know. Some things just catch my attention. Usually bright and detailed stuff, music included.
Do you take commissions? Sometimes. I am very creative. I do not do major sculpting (wings, mermaid tails, and reposes) yet. I will not do specific characters (examples are The Joker, Doctor Whooves, Edward Cullens).
Where can people see your work and contact you? If you are on Facebook; Janet’s Ponies I can be contacted through Etsy
Do you have any favorite tips or tricks? I figured out how to create rehairs that can be played with and durable cutie marks out of beads and fishing lines that can be easily repaired. I can be messaged if anyone wants me to try describe it to you. Also always try something new to keep growing and evolving.
What advice do you have for someone just starting to get into customizing? It annoys me when people say “I wish I could do stuff like this”. Just do it. You do not need expensive tools. Join a pony customizing community. MLP customizers, me included, are a friendly and helpful bunch of people.
