Interview with Malice

Malice got her start as a personal muse for friends and photography students who took a liking to her endless energy and personal style. Later, after a short affiliation with the industrial band C/A/T (Chaos and Terror), she began to focus more on the visual arts and expanding her creative vision. A natural chameleon, no one knows what she might pop up as next.

 ”Modeling to me, is like any art. It requires dedication, vision, strength, confidence, creativity, and determination. I do not like to limit myself, but enjoy embracing imagination of all forms. I strive to work with a photographer to reach a common goal to benefit both of our portfolios and help each other grow.” ~Malice

 

And where as modeling is a passion of hers, she is not limited by any means. She also participates in various performance arts, go-go dancing, painting, crafts, musical instruments, and much much more!

Photo by Jim Parks

Malice, it is great to meet you. One of your fans wrote in and requested that we interview you. Your fans are pretty awesome, right?

Wow! Yes! haha absolutely! Personal thank you to whoever was so wonderful to do so! But truthfully, I love each and every one of my fans and try to make time for everyone as much as humanly possible. I’m a busy girl, with both a day job, modeling, and the like. So sometimes I have little time to even sleep anymore!

Tell us a little about when you were younger. Where did you grow up and what were you like when you were a child?

Most people that meet me think I’m a city girl right off the bat. Truth is, I’m actually a country bumpkin! I guess that’s where being a natural chameleon comes into play but honestly the hustle and bustle of the city, where it’s great for business, is often too much for me. I grew up in Wyoming, middle of no where, and spent a lot of time in the trees imagining wild worlds inside my head. I’ve wanted to be nothing but an artist, no matter what media, since I was 5 years old. And I can say that is very much true even today.

Since you are involved in many different types of artistic projects were there artists in your family growing up?

All my abilities, artistically, were self taught since I was young. Between reading books on it, watching shows about it, and then practicing it myself… it was all I knew. I didn’t really have any other artists in my family that I could learn from. We had art classes in my elementary school, but they were very basic. Any time there was a writer’s event (I also liked to write short stories, in which I would include detailed drawings) or artistic opportunities (I drew pictures for the school’s yearly calendars), I would jump on it. It wasn’t until I went to college that I finally was able to learn proper technique to push me to the next step.

Photo by Destroy Inc.

How did you get started modeling?

By mistake actually! I’ve always been a wildly creative spirit (so to speak), expressing myself however I see fit. Unfortunately in high school that often meant you were ostracized by your peers. lol But for me, if being “happy” meant plaid pj pants, a striped shirt, fairy wings, and pink hair. So be it. Once I was in college, I met like-minded artistic individuals that favored my “unusualness” and I became the happy helper for several photography buddies of mine that needed subjects for their class material. Later on, I finally decided to take things a little more seriously, and that’s how I met Jesse Bodas, from Destroy Inc. Together we started making beautiful art together and it kinda just exploded from there!

Since you do many types or styles of modeling, what are your favorites or preferred types of shoots?

I will try any and everything honestly. I’m not currently shooting nudes, but I have had several photographers who wanted to shoot them with me (artistic nudes mind you) but I politely declined. Perhaps in the future, just not right now. But when it comes to art, which is what I believe modeling/photography is, I don’t like limitations. I can’t say I’ll necessarily be good at every genre there is out there, but I’ll be damned if I don’t give it a shot! I do tend to gravitate toward alternative, fetish, cosplay, gothic, and horror genres however, since they speak very true of my personality and come much more naturally for me.

Do you remember your first experience in front of the camera? What was it like?

I do! It was for one of my friends in college. It was completely on the spot, and I had no idea what I was doing. And she didn’t have any idea of what kind of shots she was hoping to get either so it was mostly just the two of us giggling and romping around in a graveyard in hopes that something decent would come out of it for her class assignment. Professionally, my first shoot was a learning experience. I was only a bit nervous because it was the first pro photographer I’d shot with, but 5 minutes in, he was such a cool guy, that I relaxed. Over the years and with experience I’ve gained more knowledge the do’s and don’ts.

What do you think is your strongest feature?

Oh gosh. haha I never really thought about it honestly. I personally like my hands… but photographers have complimented me on things like my back, my eyes, my legs, and my stomach. I don’t think I can put any favoritism on one particular feature. If any part of myself were changed in any way I simply wouldn’t be me anymore.

Photo by The Perfect Exposure photography

Do you like to collaborate with the MUA, Stylists and photographers on a shoot?

I do! Although I haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities to with MUA’s and Stylists. Often photographers will ask me if I need one or would like one, but when they give me the option, I know I’m capable of doing my hair and my makeup myself so I usually just say no. But would I like to? Absolutely! The more artists taking part in the vision the better. Maybe they will see or think of something that I hadn’t and put a entirely new twist on an idea to make it so much greater.

What artists (models, photographers, musicians, artists etc.) inspire you?

This is a very hard question. -laughs- I’m literally inspired by nearly everything around me. I’m a very observant person and little goes unnoticed. I’d say as far as favorite photographers go, Destroy Inc of course, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Andy Hartmark, because I adore damn near everything he puts out. It’s so edgy. No Regrets Photography. Rosie does some really really great work. There are several others but I’m afraid of it turning into a gigantic list… The model Perish is inspiring to me simply because he is actively creative and he does design a lot of his own costuming. Maegan Machine, from Phoenix, is a fantastic model and an all around cool person. And Suzy Homewrecker as well. Love BOTH of these ladies! Maegan also does stage performance where she gets hit with darts and all sorts of rad things, and Suzy owns Homewrecker Clothing. I guess you can say just creative motivated people in general are an inspiration to me.

Although you model you also are involved in many other artistic activities. Dancing and especially painting I understand are two of your passions. Can you tell us a little about them?

Yes! You are correct! Like I mentioned before, being an artist is all I’ve wanted to do since I was little. And no matter how many people pushed me in whatever other directions, I had made up my mind. I do commissioned paintings sometimes but of course, painting is a tough business. I guess I’m still waiting for my lucky streak on that one. It’s easy work when people tell you what they want specifically but when you’re left on your own to openly create and the inspiration just isn’t there… it’s a no go. What’s worse is when you have too many ideas and for whatever reason, they just don’t come out the same way as you have in your head. It can be frustrating but I feel at peace when I’m painting something. It’s therapy and all else in the world just kind of fades to grey.

Malice with the Perish Dignam’s Hollywood Klowns (purple hair)

As for dancing, that’s just something I recently had the pleasure of taking part in. I’ve always gone out with friends, or if it’s a slow night at one of my fav clubs and one of the go-go boxes aren’t preoccupied, I’ll get up there for a song or two. But for NYE, I was contacted by my now performance manager, inquiring if I’d like to fill one of the spots for the NYE Massive Countdown celebration. Perish Dignam needed dancers to join his Swoon Entertainment team to perform on stage. I of course said yes! What an honor to be chosen! So several other lovely ladies from the bay area, a few whom I still work with, and myself, had an evening of lights, costuming, hyping the crowd, and being blinded by more camera flashes than I thought humanly possible (I now know what it’s like to have the paparazzi after me haha). After that, my manager founded a performance collective out of the bay area, Ajna Drops. So when I am able, I perform with them at various events. Right now the next huge one, that I will be able to attend, is Cognitive Awakening in Paradise, CA.

As a painter what types of subjects do you prefer to paint and what media do you prefer to use?

I literally will paint whatever comes out of my head. A lot of it is a bit disturbing or never quite finished. I’d say about 80% of my material ends up dream based, but the issue with that is sometimes, if I’m not quick to capture it, my memory fails me and parts of the full image are lost. I use mostly acrylic paints. I like how fast they dry and I can layer them easily if corrections need to be made. Sometimes other mediums work their ways into my pieces but not that often. However, when working on a piece, I become completely absorbed until it’s completion… which can be taxing if I’m working 9+ hours straight.

What is one of your favorite pieces?

Not anything extremely recently, as I’m extremely self critical of my own work. But I’m proud of a painting I did for my best friend for his birthday in 2009. It took me 13 hours exactly. 9 I worked straight, I slept for an hour and then completed what was left. It still hangs in his room today.

You also enjoy doing tattoo design. Have you ever seen any of your designs turned into a tattoo?

Not yet! But a friend of mine did buy one of my paintings off of me for specifically that purpose! He’s still trying to find the right artist to do the piece since he wants it to be exactly as I painted it. I’m currently designing a half sleeve for my best friend as well. It’s been a tedious procedure since I don’t want anything to have the least bit of imperfection.

What about yourself? Can you tell us about your tattoos and piercings? Are there any stories behind them?

Well, I’m an adrenaline junky. haha Although I keep it under control. Nothing too crazy… I can’t afford to give my mum a heart attack. But I’ve had 32 piercings in my face, the most I’ve had at one time was 12. But most rejected, so all but my snakebites, nostril, and septum have been removed. My ears are gauged to 5/16″ and I have several other piercings on each ear. Most wouldn’t guess it though, since I typically prefer to wear my hair down. I also have my nipples pierced, as some of my fans know from a shoot I had last year. -laughs-… My tattoo’s: two are going to be covered up eventually. They were my first tattoo’s when I was 18. Oh boy! Ink!… but they’re poorly done (they were cheap) and blown out over the years. My other two, my knuckles and my right calf, I will keep. My knuckles say FEARLESS, a reminder of the example my father always set for me growing up as a kid. I wanted more than anything to be like him. My mum says I succeeded. haha! The calf, a crow, is part of a full calf piece that my good friend, model, and tattooist Nikki Mayhem did for me. That is temporarily on hold for now, but she will be the one to complete that piece and I refuse to go to anyone else but her to do it.

Photo by by Bill Kratt

As a performer you were a member of the group C/A/T back in 2006/7. Can you tell us about that time and what you were doing then?

2006-2007, and then again in 2009-2010 actually! I was an avid C/A/T fan actually before meeting Ben Arp at a club that he was guest dj’ing. They had been looking for a new member and he was familiar with me from all the promotional work I did for his music and he thought I would be a nice fit. I didn’t even know they were looking! Very exciting. It was my first taste of the stage and I loved every minute of touring, performing, mingling with fans, and selling gear. I did assisting live noise for the band… I was the crunches and blips basically. We parted ways for a time but then reunited later right before the Chaos and Terror tour… which had so much catastrophe in it due to various things that weren’t in the control of any of the bands on the lineup but if I had to do it all over again, I would definitely say, I would.

Malice with the Perish Dignam’s Hollywood Klowns (purple hair)

You also were part of Perish Dignam’s Hollywood Klowns. What event was it for and can you tell us a bit about the experience?

I mentioned this a bit previously in an earlier question. The NYE Massive Countdown event. It was originally supposed to be held in Pleasanton CA but later got moved to Tulare when something happened with the venue. Our SF girls almost got cut from the lineup due to the relocation but luckily that didn’t end up happening and the 10 of us that were still able to make the event despite the distance, were on board. It was an insane night. 4 costumes, I of course was a Klown. We all had our parts and we played them well. They rotated us on and off of several stages from 8pm until 2am. The whole thing was invigorating. I loved every second. If the opportunity arises, I would probably do it again.

Since you have a very busy schedule I imagine you do not have a lot of free time but when you do what do you enjoy doing?

SLEEPING!… No seriously. Well I typically paint or read in my free time. And if I’m lucky to have a few down days in a row, I usually try to make it out to the city to see friends, make it to clubs or events that I typically would have missed. I tend to be kind of a homebody on my down time. Between my day job (retail) and modeling, both are very heavily socially reliant jobs with lots of being face to face or networking even when I’m flat out pooped! So my days off, are literally OFF for me. Lots of movies, books, and cuddling with my kitty or boyfriend (if I have one at the time).

Photo by J6 photography

What do you think about the modeling industry in general?

Brutal honesty. Here it goes (it’s what I’m good at). I think it’s really over saturated right now. Everyone wants to be a model. Everyone wants to be a photographer. Hell, half the time I don’t even call myself a model because I don’t really feel like I have ‘earned’ it yet. And often times, people just don’t have the knack for it. Or they try to do things they aren’t good at and force it without developing what they Are good at. It’s art. ART. Just a different medium. I think often times that’s forgotten. It can be frustrating when those of us who are working really hard and are serious about our work are shafted or receive less opportunities or recognition than those who may or may not be doing it for the right reasons or who’s work maybe isn’t as hard earned. I’ve heard many of my model friends say the industry is “a joke” these days. Understandable. But honestly, I think this is an issue in ANY genre of creative medium such as music, visual arts, film, etc. But I can’t say it’s discouraged me. I’m going to keep doing what I love to do no matter what.

Do you have any advice for someone just starting out?

Modeling, it’s hard work. It IS a career. Sometimes it means driving ridiculous hours to get that one good shot for your portfolio. Sometimes it means spending money on wardrobe, gas, or whatever else and no money back. Sometimes, you might not get paid, especially starting out. My advice for anyone aspiring out there: If it’s something you’re passionate about, by all means do it. But don’t do it for attention. Don’t do it to be liked or remembered. Don’t do it to “feel good” about yourself (lord knows some of us get the harshest reviews). Do it because you love doing it. Do it for you. Do it for art and the sake of creativity and vision. And don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Your haters are your biggest and most devoted fans. Modeling is just as much work as being a photographer, musician, painter, or whatever else out there. We all like to be “liked”, but when it comes to passion, that’s not what it’s about.

Where can we go to find out more about you and your work?

Currently you can find me either on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProjektMaliceModel

or on Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/projektmalice

My website is coming soon!!!

Photo by The Perfect Exposure photography

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