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| The RADIANT ENERGY of Gangster Liu |
| An intimate look into the life of a young photographic prodigy... |
| Interview Conducted by Pink Man Photography by Gangster Liu |
| Pink Man - How long have you been involved in photographing fashion dolls? Gangster Liu - For about two years now. My mother bought a Sony-P8 digital camera for me :) Pink Man - Where do you live and what do you do in your everyday life? Gangster Liu - My hometown is in China mainland, called Guiyang Guizhou. She has the thrid largest waterfall in the world. I am studying in Tianjin now and I will graduate next year. Then I will study fashion design in Shanghai. Pink Man - How did you come to be known as "Gangster"? Gangster Liu - I was given the name by a very close friend in high school. She always said that I was able to draw a lot of pictures and that I had the most wonderful dolls. She said that I "robed" her heart and her eyesight. |
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| Runway Right Away Vanessa shows her beautiful back and shoulders while wearing Flame Rouge' emanating a longing for the finer things in life... |
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Pink Man - What does your personal doll collection consist of? Gangster Liu - Barbie! Most of my dolls are Barbie, but for nearly two years I have been collecting Fashion Royalty dolls. They feed my imagination much more. Pink Man - Do you have a doll that is a personal favorite? Gangster Liu - It's hard to say right now, but recently Shock Bon Bon Vanessa Perrin is the model muse of many of my photo shoots. |
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| In the photo above, Gangster's Model Muse can be seen looking svelte and oh so glorious! The most sophisticated pin up girl! In the photo to the right, it's none other than our very own Gangster Liu. Covered in some of the most beautiful iconic figures to ever grace the doll world. |
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| Mauve Absolue Veronique Perrin makes a striking figure emerging from the darkness around her. The red Fashion Royalty couch creating just the right contrast for a vivid look that enhances her formiddable power. |
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Pink Man - How many dolls are in your collection now? Gangster Liu - I'm really not sure! I had counted them several times and each time it's not the same - LOL I think it's around 90 - 100 dolls. Pink Man - What lead you into collecting fashion dolls? Gangster Liu - The Fashions!! When I was a little boy, I was so interested in fashions. Then I saw something really cute, very delicate and fabulous - That's Barbie! So I gave up all of my soldier figures, toy cars and comic books and began to collect Barbie dolls. |
| Exotica Adele Makeda puts her best pout forward. |
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Pink Man - Your pictures are fantastic, so resonate and full of feeling. What do you do to prepare yourself, the doll and the backgrounds for photographic sessions? Gangster Liu - First, I imagine the character of the doll. Maybe she's a lady, maybe a bride, maybe she's a Holly Wood Star and she might just be a Super Vixen. Once I've decided on who she is, I put together a suitable outfit and accessories. I look at her and really appreciate her beauty - I truly do say something like, "Your really pretty" - LOL For the backgrounds, I just use things around me. Things like boxes, furniture for the dolls, carpets and even furs. The final technique for making the pictures complete is Photo Shop. Really, this can take a 'so - so' picture and make it into a great one. You can also achieve the photo effect of your liking. |
| The ever beguiling diva, Shock Bon Bon Vanessa Perrin holds us captive with her gaze. Such wonderful use of color and styling! |
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| Urban Geisha Kyori Sato is looking More than Marvelous wearing the Lustrous Silhouette gown. |
Mock advertisements like the one to the right are just a small sampling from Gangster's repertoire. Morning Frost Veronique Perrin is the perfect compliment for Dior Parfume' |
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| Like a star on the silver screen Silver Society Veronique Perrin has proven her longevity as a permanent favorite |
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Bombshell Adele Makeda proves that redressing for success is key. Love the suit, love the jewels, love the bag - LOVE YOU! Quick! What movie did I get that quote from? A correct answer sent to the email address provided below will win you a small prize! selojdesigns@yahoo.com Remember to put SeloJ Spa in the subject line. |
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Pink Man - What type of fashion doll do you like to photograph the most? Gangster Liu - Fashion Royalty dolls with the new expressive bodies. They really are models and stars and are much more posable than other dolls. Pink Man - What's the hardest part about picture taking for you? Gangster Liu - The Lights!!! You must prepare the lights. Usually I have to hold 2 - 3 lights and lay on the floor to take pictures - LOL |
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| Stolen Magic Silkstone Barbie looks striking in soft natural tones. |
| Pink Man - What inspires you? Where do you draw your inspiration to take daringly different photographs? Gangster Liu - I get most of my inspiration from fashion magazines. The advertisements can be stylish. I even get ideas from movies. |
| Fierce Subject Kyori Sato the most lethal & beautiful looking Kyori of all! |
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Pink Man - Is there an ultimate doll you would like to collect or photograph? Gangster Liu - Yes, the FAO Vanessa, Posie Sans Couleur Vanessa or Haute Luxuries Veronique. Pink Man - Any final thoughts on the world of vinyl we are living in? Gangster Liu - Now that I'm living in it, I will never get out of it! I wish that one day, I can make the world more colorful and joyful! |
| Final word from Pinkman. The world of doll's is already a better place for you being in it Gangster. The life that you bring to the dolls through photography is a great and wonderful thing! Thank You so very much for sharing your artistry with us. |