Jeela Juran — Post 6 Grrrrl
by Alphaville Herald on 29/01/11 at 11:35 pm
[Three years ago I went out in search of the best wet t-shirt in SecondLife and happily found Jeela Juran's wares at Boingo. I was instantly a huge fan and it didn't take me long to collect one of everything as Jeela is a tremendously skilled graphic artist with a genuine and unique artistic vision that is all too rare. Somewhere along the way I became lucky enough to count her as one of my friends and confidants. And although her SecondLife creations are second to none, the privilege of her friendship and insight on a daily basis is what makes me one of her biggest fans. She's among the few people on this vast Earth that successfully match her dramatic artistic talent with serenity, intellect, ambition, and business sense. Unwavering in her convictions and the pursuit of her dreams and never afraid to be who she is, it is my great pleasure to present Jeela Juran. ~ Shyayn Lusch]
[From Timothy- I'm taking the month of January away from Post 6, as I did last year, to recharge the batteries a bit. In my place my friend Shyayn Lusch has agreed to take the Post 6 helm for the month, and as you'll see, her work is such that I'm quite afraid you'll want to keep her and I'll be out of a job come February. I should add, and she'd kill me if she knew I were going to plug her store, that Shyayn is an incredible builder and makes some of the best furniture in Second Life. Check out her store, SHAG, here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lithe/79/111/51/ ]
[NOTE: Jeela respectfully requested the license to do her own Post 6 photographs. And though I was sad to miss an opportunity to photograph so beautiful an avatar, I refused to pass up the opportunity to give the readers a taste of her talent. ~ Shyayn Lusch]
Three years or so in SL making clubwear for a store called Boingo. Life is full so I’m not pushing biz in SL too hard. Enjoying the gradual evolution of things here, and not just the clothing but the way people are beginning to get used to this virtual socializing and interacting. Virtual worlds are getting validated. People find valuable experiences here. I like that Im picking up bits and pieces of 5 or 6 languages I wouldn’t speak normally. I like hearing that people in Turkey have some of the same issues to deal with as I do in California.
As far as the clothing is concerned, I come from a background in illustration, not fashion. I tend toward exotic things that don’t always sell well but explore different styles. For me, it’s helping me grow less afraid of failing, more experimental.
I like detail. I spend time painting seams and nuances that I know SL will just blur in the final view. I hand paint everything. I like fitting clothing and shading to the avatar, which is dramatically different than placing photos from RL. I have a small focused series of skins that I evolve every 6 months or so that are all hand-painted as well, very contrary to the norm in SL. I’m finding a growing number of people appreciate that… looking slightly different than the status quo.
SL for me is about being what you cant easily be in RL. Expanding on your self, how you express your soul in a very change-happy environment.
Inniatzo
Jan 30th, 2011
works for me, i like the middle pic the best.
Senban Babii
Jan 30th, 2011
+1 Impressed
Just out of interest Jeela, being an illustrator and with your request to do your own photos, did you use your skills to remove the usual flaws we’d expect to see from SL photos? It’s cool if you did, I’m just wondering how you managed to get the photos to appear so good
Pappy Enoch
Jan 30th, 2011
That am a rite good fishin’ net you got in that-there last photygraph, Missy.
Makes a po’ boy want to break into song:
“You gits yo’ line, I’ll bring my pole…honey, etc. etc.”
Jeela Juran
Jan 30th, 2011
Thanks to all for the warm reception.
The photos… yes I retouch them. My goal isn’t to be a purist but to create an image that moves your fluids.
I do 3 things most often to SL imagery; Fix anatomy glitches using the Liquify tools in PS. Add a multiply mode layer for shadows, especially those cast by hair on the face. And add edge hi-lights from side light sources.
Often I shoot the figure and background separately so I can select the figures edges easily and move it around.
Hope that helps.
-JJ
Darien Caldwell
Jan 30th, 2011
totally photoshopped.
Dread Judge
Jan 30th, 2011
A horse walks into a bar, the bartender asks, “Why the long face?”
Just sayin’
marilyn murphy
Jan 30th, 2011
@darien:: ha ha. you know, there was a time when people complained that pictures were not photoshopped. can’t please everyone, sometimes even the same people.
i really like the skin a lot, and she sounds very practical and intelligent.
Nelson Jenkins
Feb 1st, 2011
@ Jeela Juran
“My goal isn’t to be a purist but to create an image that moves your fluids.”
Rest assured that my fluids are flowing – particularly my stomach acids, which seem to be acting up after reading that comment.
That being said, far better photography than the typical shitstains.
Yep
Feb 1st, 2011
Go getem Tiger