Joan Philbin — Post 6 Grrrl
by Alphaville Herald on 06/04/10 at 3:57 am
[I met Joan Philbin back when I was blogging in fashion and was instantly impressed with her talent and her smarts. "You never know until you try" is an old but true adage, and in my case it was especially true as I took a shot and asked Joan to pose, and she not only agreed, she brought her friend along too. I am thrilled to present this week's Post 6 Grrrl, Joan Philbin -Timothy Morpork]
Hello!
My name is Joan and just the other day someone referred to me as an “oldbie” which surprised me. I started in Second Life in 2007, and always considered myself a Joanny-come-lately. It seems impossible that three years have passed.
I started SL excited to use my Photoshop skills to make millions of dollars making skins and clothes and building cool things. I opened a store called SLippery and did very well for a year or two I guess, but eventually it was too much to keep up with and I burned out on the whole thing. I think SL can be a great place to make money, but it’s too much like work when you also have a full time gig in the meat space. Some day I might bow to pressure and list my stuff on xStreet or something, but for now if you want my skins or clothes or shapes, many of which are featured in this week’s [and next week’s, Ed.] pictures, you have to haggle with me.
I loved owning a store, but I learned I loved it less for the money and more for seeing my creations on people, so my current ‘career’ as an SL personal stylist is especially rewarding. Through a referral or two I started making custom skins, then some shapes, and it has kind of morphed into a word-of-mouth business I love. I am sort of a one stop shopping experience for people- tell me what you want to look like and I can find it, or make it, or both, depending on what you want to pay.
Which might sound like I’m all about the (linden) benjamins, but that’s really not the case. A lot of people who get referred to me as clients end up as new friends, and instead of actually charging them, many times we end up just hanging out and doing make-overs. “Hanging out and doing make-overs” does probably sound a little too much like high school, but in SL a make-over can mean going from anthropomorphic mouse to hot drow, so I take some solace that there’s more variety than just doing French braids on everyone.
I do make custom skins and shapes and clothes, but as SL is such an incredible place with so many great things, I as often as not get caught up in ogling other people’s awesomeness. My best friend and partner in stylistic crime here is Bronte, who you see on the left in picture two. She and I have been through thousands of looks and skins and freebie bins together looking for the next incredible accessory. I love that she’s in my Post 6, because she’s HUGE in Joantopia.
That’s me in a nutshell. I’m honored to be the Post 6 Grrrl this week. I’ve been a Herald reader off and on for years, so it’s nice that Timothy asked me. I love his work, and now count him as a friend.
Thanks, be gentle please.
Scylla Rhiadra
Apr 6th, 2010
Nicely written, Joan, and quite interesting. I’d have loved to hear more about your philosophy as a stylist, though. How do you go about determining an optimal “look” for someone? Do you have a particular aesthetic you go after, or do you entirely follow the lead of your client?
Timothy, this is much better. Thank you.
Jumpman Lane
Apr 6th, 2010
thank gawd no tranny wood!
Mary Elizabeth
Apr 6th, 2010
Interesting lady. Bravo to Timothy for venturing out beyond the Gor roleplay areas and Zindra.
Those photos are too dark, though.
Sententia
Apr 6th, 2010
These photos are awesome! Great avatar too. very interesting and great looks!
Well done both of you !
Obvious Schism
Apr 6th, 2010
@ Joan
NIce bio – I could do with a new skin, perhaps you could do something in veneer?
And thanks for waiting an extra week for your slot
Marianne
Apr 6th, 2010
Joan sounds friendly and down-to-earth. Two very good qualities in SL, where so many are overly pretentious.
Better pictures than the “morph artist” featured before…. lol. But then, I can tell when Timothy likes the model, he manage to do a good job. Not spectacular but nice work.
A photographer should treat all models the same? On the other side, he’s human and it’s so easy to just get the job done if the model is annoying.
marilyn murphy
Apr 6th, 2010
i love this post sixx. and back in my day, i would have loved joan.
Levity Monday
Apr 7th, 2010
First impression, what a variety in looks. Different outfits, sure, and different skins, but I’d guess different shapes, too. Just look at the noses.
Second, I can’t keep my eyes off that third picture. What a cello of a body. Shapely, but full. Slightly optimistic on chest gravity perhaps, but those soft upper arms are simply yummy.
Finally, nice story. It’s good to hear how someone can get into something for one reason, then after a while decide it’s not for her and find her own mode of life.
Definitely someone worth reading about.
Joan Philbin
Apr 8th, 2010
Oooo! Thank you ALL for all the nice comments!
@Scylla
I listen. How I approach each new look and new style is based on what the client wants in the end. It’s a wonderful dialogue between peers looking to create something beautiful.
@Obvious
I think you look fantastic already, maybe a little light sanding (I know someone, you’ll LOVE it!), but if you’re serious, IM me and we’ll talk stains.
@Levity
Thank you and yes, each of the shapes in these pictures are unique and created by me.
Bunny Brickworks
Apr 9th, 2010
What a wonderful fresh breeze in Post 6 – a woman who doesn’t spend her online time on her knees or on her back and seems witty and talented.
Interesting bio, great shapes!