***Please note: Special thanks to Ande Sugarplum who photographed Mr. Emoto's fantastic work
1) What inspired you to become a landscaper?
I had my own real life landscaping business for 17 years, Commercial and residential.
2) Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself?
I am a well blessed Christian man, that believes that God had blessed me with gifts, one of many is creating here in Second Life (SL).
3) What was one of your greatest achievements?
Wow! I would have to say that every job that I do here is my greatest achievement, and also a couple of the people ( who will remain unnamed) that I taught about SL, have gone on to become very successful here financially.
4) What was one of your most difficult jobs?
I would have to say though when I did my first full sim at 2000 meters (and you wouldn't know that you were in the sky) was a great success. I had never done one, and I just jumped into it, and it turned out amazing. It was for the meeroos when they first came out.
5) How does one hire you for work and what are your rates?
The best way for anyone to hire me for work is to contact me by e-mail at woodyraceremoto@yahoo.com. As far as rates, I take each one as they come and interview the people who want the work. I get a feel for what they want to see, feel, and then do my best to let them know the detail of what they want.
I do have a 10 KL minimum now, and I take it from there, however the easier one is to work with the better rate they will receive. Yes, I do believe I have earned the ability to get paid for what I do here, however I don't do drama.
6) Any future plans for your art or big projects?
Well put it this way, I desire to create more here, and if I could keep busy year round I most likely would make this my full time job. In the future, I would like to see SL develop even more into the best virtual world out there, creating more work for those with knowledge of this program.
7) Any advice for your fans are those looking to pursue art like yours?
If I may make a comment that can be added, I do think that one of the problems here is many people here desire to have work done for next to nothing, and I want to be part of a group that shows that if you want something unique and like a dream come true, they must reward those doing the work properly. Linden Labs (LL) will never release how many private sims they support and with that said I know that there are over enough up and running to supply work for those who want to pursue the art of landscaping grids. Your going to have to be really good and know all the rules of this world to be successful here.
I became successful here my first year, however I brought 17 years of RL landscape experience to the grid and this was very beneficial. Huge learning curve for this was tough for me and believe it or not I know very little about computers, but thanks to my wife Mozy Pera, she helped me through the first part of the learning curve. Now she looks at my work as I create and it brings tears of joy to her eyes. The majority of this world is based on visual stimulating ones sight. I believe God has blessed me with the ability to create so others sight can be stimulated all the time anywhere they look with their camera or walk and one must be gifted to do this here. One knows when he or she sees it, without a doubt.
Thank you so much for your time. It is an honor to be able to meet and interview you. And another special thanks to Mr. Иāę Wαтαŋαbę - яεηεε™ for the project.