Who DAt? It's moonbeam13!

Have you ever seen a staff or volunteer symbol or ambassador badge and wondered "Who DAt?" Welcome to the interview series that's hittin' DA streets to find out more about these very deviants.

Featuring a Wild Card question which is selected at random from a pool of questions. If you have a suggested random/fun question to add to the list, please feel free to comment here.

Who would be more fitting to start this series than @moonbeam13! We had a nice chat at a wonderful café on 13th Avenue...

Ahoy and Welcome! If you'd be so kind, what is your preferred name? Also, do tell, what is the delightfully devious story of your username?

Preferred name is Danie. “Moonbeam” was given to me by a friend who got me started on DeviantArt, but the name was already taken, so I added my favorite number to the end because that’s just what you did in those days.

How did you first discover DeviantArt and how did it connect to your heArt?

I actually discovered DeviantArt through that same friend, @vixelyn , who is incredibly talented and encouraged me to join when I was very into photography. At the time, I was really nervous about sharing anything I’d created because putting your work out into the world can feel terrifying. But the community was so welcoming and encouraging that I instantly fell in love. It felt like I’d found my people, and before long I became part of the community myself.

As an admin of DA, what is your title and what are your responsibilities?

I've had a bajillion titles over the years, but my most recent one was Director of Community Relations. Realistically though, I’m basically a fancy community manager. I work with the community day to day, help support and enrich our volunteer team so we can create fun and engaging events, monitor and relay community feedback, and generally keep a finger on the pulse of what’s happening around the site.

Generally, what does your day-to-day look like in regard to DA?

Never the same, honestly. There are a LOT of messages. Internally with colleagues, but also a lot of back and forth with the community through comments and messages. I also work on a variety of projects with our marketing and product teams depending on what we’re building or focusing on at the time, so there’s always something new happening.

Was art an integral part of your childhood? If so, how?

Absolutely. I’m the only child of a single mom, so imagination was everything growing up. I was deeply in love with my Etch A Sketch and Spirograph, and spent a lot of time creating little worlds for myself.

Who or what is your inspiration in life and/or art?

I’m inspired by women. They are such powerful forces and are so often overlooked, underestimated, or under-appreciated. I’m constantly in awe of how many incredible women exist in this world and everything they carry, create, and overcome.

Of your own work, which has the most meaning to you and why?

Probably the portrait drawings I've made of my friends. I’ve never really been confident in myself as an artist of any kind, so creating those felt incredibly vulnerable. But their reactions were so genuine and beautiful that those moments will honestly live in my heart forever.

The classic superpowers (flight, invisibility, super strength, etc.) are no longer available. What wildly random superpower would you choose and why?

I would want the ability to instantly organize and untangle anything chaotic just by touching it. Messy inbox? Fixed. Tangled cords? Solved. Giant impossible project? Suddenly color coded and manageable. Honestly, it would probably save me several years of my life.

Is there a movie/TV series/documentary that you just can't stop thinking about?

I’m autistic, so I definitely have comfort shows that I watch on repeat, and one of them is Mad Men. I genuinely don’t know why, but I’ve watched it from beginning to end, no skips, more times than anyone should probably admit publicly. Also, I strongly urge people to watch Years and Years because it’s wildly relevant and I desperately need more people to talk to about it.

What music gets you into your groove? (Specific groups/artists?)

I’m in a very 90s rage mood right now, but I never really stick to one genre for long. My playlists would probably confuse most people because they’re completely all over the place. I do have a deep love for old school hip hop though, and I can absolutely infodump about the greats of that era if given the opportunity.

A book that had a powerful impact on you?

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It completely changed the way I think about our relationship with nature, community, reciprocity, and gratitude. It’s one of those books that quietly settles into your soul and stays there.

What is a dish that when consumed always provides you with a sense of pure joy?

Peanut butter toast. Zero hesitation.

What question or topic do you wish you'd get to discuss more often? And, please, share as much as you'd like about it!

You can’t ask an autistic person this question and still expect the journal to remain readable. But if you’d ever like to talk to me about gardening, sewing, politics, intersectional feminism, or cats, I got you, boo.

What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

“If you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

Wild Card: What is your favorite dinosaur?

ANKYLOSAURUS. Tiny tank. Herbivore. Perfect creature.

Thank you for your devious time today! Do you have any final thoughts to share?

I think one of the most beautiful things about DeviantArt is that it gives people a place to be unapologetically creative and find others who understand them. Communities like this genuinely change lives. I know it changed mine, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Who DAt? She is Danie. She is @moonbeam13!