An Interview With The Scintillating Ms. Tara Sterling

sb: Thank You very much for this interview, Ms. Sterling! Please tell us a little about Your background. Where are You from originally?

MS: I was born and raised in Southern California in a very liberal, intellectual family.

sb: How did You get involved in SM/BD?

MS: Well, like many people I've done things that fall into the realm of BDSM for as long as I can remember- however I was not aware of the active scene or the pro scene until I met Masetra Sadie Dusaga. Shortly after meeting her, and rooting around on her bookshelf I realized that BDSM was something I wanted to, and had to explore. I began persuing education mostly via private, and personal relationships. Soon I decided I wanted to try professional sessions and my friend Domina Soulstice took me along with her to Fantasy Makers. I took to the format of professional sessions very well and have gained most of my skills and knowlege through experiential learning with my clients.

sb: Are You a Female Supremacist?

MS: No, I'm not an authentic Female Supremacist, although I do relate to some of the core values and enjoy playing with Female Supremacy fantasy play as well as incorporating such dynamics into specific relationships.

sb: Please describe Your style of Domination?

I like to approach each scene, and each submissive as an individual experience. I bring my skills, experience, creativity and intuition into the scene. I don't bring expectations or set protocols/rules I develop them as I go. I'm strict but I don't expect things to fit into neat boxes and categories- including myself.

sb: Where did You start Professionally?

MS: As I mentioned above I started doing professional sessions at Fantasy Makers. I can't say enough good about Lorrett and the core Dominas there including Patricia, Tatiana, and Atheris among others. FM is home to many advance players but it is also a place that has introduced countless novices, both clients (sub, Dom, and switch) and Dominas/subs/switches to BDSM, fetish and fantasy play. I was told that whatever I wanted to do, and felt comfortable doing was what I should focus on. I'm very grateful that that was my introduction, because it fit in with my personal way of life and made me feel like "yes, this is something I can do." I began only doing sessions as a Domme, later I decided to do a few select switch scenes in areas I felt I was strong as a submissive in, and now I am again only taking sessions as a Dominant.

sb: Yes they do have a great reputation! Please describe Your style of Domination?

MS: I like to approach each scene, and each submissive as an individual experience. I bring my skills, experience, creativity and intuition into the scene. I don't bring expectations or set protocols/rules I develop them as I go. I'm strict but I don't expect things to fit into neat boxes and categories, including myself.

sb: Do You work with other Mistresses?

MS: Yes! For the last year I've been training under Ms. Eisanna Eiger. Her teaching style and my learning style are very compatible and we've had a blast collaborating on elaborate scenes and even in creating a new second dungeon at Her already luxuriously equipped Eiger Institute in San Francisco. Her formal mentorship of me has come to a close but I think we'll probably both always consider each other to be teacher/protege and enjoy sessioning together.

I also have had the pleasure recently of enjoying double Mistress sessions with the stunning goddess Ms. Kendra Knight. There are many other women I am friends with and would love to play alongside at some point including Maestra Sadie Dusaga, Miss Violette Thorngate, and Mistress Lucinda Archer. Conspiring with other Women is always a lot of fun!

sb: What is Your favorite type of scene?

MS: My favorite scenes are usually when I am in total control. When a submissive has presented themself to Me in such a way that allows for that, and when they are well prepared and ready to "go there" with me.

sb: Please tell me the most intense scene You ever did?

MS: I have done a lot of intense play in my short time as an adult, but some of the scenes that stick out as being most intense were when I got to either be someone's first or bring them to a deeper or new head space. I thrive on the energy created when someone is introduced to a new realms be it through physical torture, mind fuck, or simply pleasure and indulgence.

sb: Can You tell me the most humiliating thing You ever did to a slave?

MS: The first thing that comes to mind is something that may not sound shocking but the thing is different things are challenging for different submissives. One of my favorite sissies has made several outings with me in which I had him/her wearing frillies along with her regular clothes. This may not be humiliating for some people, but for this conservative gentleman being made to wear a pink feather boa with painted nails around Paris, a Tutu in Berlin, and handcuffs and a red lace teddy top in San Francisco was very intense. I write a lot about the more "out there" antics from the Humiliation Clinic in my blog.

sb: Yes Your blog is awesome! How about public humiliation. Do You get into that?

MS: Oh yes. Imagine a room full of world class Pro Dommes hearing that you wet yourself the night before while being kept in bondage in bed next to me. Or being forced to wear baby girls' clothes and suck off a didlo in front of a beautiful peep show dancer. Or being taken in chastity to a strip club, only to have myself and my friend who is a stripper there tell the entire staff that you are chaste. I've also enjoyed shopping trips that include the submissive being in service to me and enduring casual ridicule and rejection throughout the day.

sb: Very cool! How about crossdressers? Do You enjoy these type of scenes?

MS: Yes, absolutely. Crossdressing is a wide reaching term though. I enjoy assisting TV's in realistic transformations, sometimes including public outings and sensual play. I also enjoy sissies and sluts, whether they be obedient or in need of a firm hand and strict training. Fetishists who enjoy wearing specific articles such as panties, stockings, high heels, or girdles are fantastic. I'm also always happy to torture a damsel in distress!

sb: Do You enjoy water sports?

MS: Yes, but only on my terms. I don't serve up GS to order but I do enjoy using it in scene when I feel the urge, or when someone is truly a toilet and waits appropriately until I decide I want to use them.

sb: Your legs and feet are absolutely exquisite. Do You enjoy foot worship?

MS: Yes, I enjoy foot worship. I am very picky about it though and demand that it be done in a way that is pleasurable for me. I like firm massages and toe sucking but can not stand when teeth scrape against my skin while someone is sucking. I also like nibbling on the arches and thorough tongue baths.

sb: Do You like heavy corporal?

MS: Absolutely. Whether in the form of cathartic SM, connective D/s, or for the purpose of punishment and discipline.

sb: What is Your favorite implement for this?

MS: Caning is my favorite. I've also become quite fond of classic straps which are a close second right now.

sb: Do You have any personal slaves?

MS: I have one servant who is up to become owned property in November. While he is a client we know each other quite well and our relationship is more multifaceted than the basic ProDomme / client connection.

sb: Do You take photographs of slaves in sessions?

MS: Only when it is determined ahead of time, but Yes, both for display on my blog sometimes, and for my personal collection if it is something I'd like to be able to look back on- such as a particularly interesting bondage position I come up with, or an exceptionally nasty physical humiliation scene, or if I leave special marks on a submissive.

sb: What kind of slaves do You like the most and least?

MS: Submissives I like the best are people who are able to follow instructions well and communicate their needs, desires and boundaries. People with good manners and understanding of how to behave in a respectful way. Those with impeccable respect for my privacy and discretion.

Clients I am not interested in are those who are pushy, unable to express their true desires clearly, and who are rude or hostile. I am also highly turned off by gossip or indescretion.

sb: What is Your favorite type of clothing?

MS: I am fond of basics, and classics. Comfort is always key. Designers who manufacture in the U.S. and countries with good labor policies and laws. As someone once said to me "I like to turn heads but not drop jaws." As far as fetish wear I enjoy leather, latex, and classic lingerie. Often for sessions I will simply wear a leather mini, a blouse, and my stillettos as well as stockings depending on the weather and my mood.

sb: Do you session with novices?

MS: Yes. If they are able to follow my booking protocol and appear to be compatible both via email and telephone consultations I will happily play with novices.

sb: What is one of your favorite positions to have a sub in?

MS: These days when it comes to bondage positions, I'm all about the maximum immobilization along with maximum access. A balance of those two things makes me very hot.

sb: What is your favorite drink?

MS: Non alcoholic, I love fresh squeezed juices, Kombucha, and a lot of water (what can I say? I'm a California girl). As far as alcohol I enjoy flavorful sparkling wines, California pinot noir, cocktails with fresh fruit, local beers, and on occasion single malt whiskey on the rocks.

sb: But you are much more than a professional and lifestyle Domina, perhaps you could share one or two of your other interests?

MS: I enjoy most creative pursuits, both as a creator and an audience member. Reading, attending visual and performance art shows, as well as concerts and museums are all delicious to me. Travel expands my scope and ability to experience these things, I'm an avid traveler as well. I just finished my first short film and look forward to learning more about film editing as well as other forms of expression.

sb: Do You have any videos for sale?

MS: Not at this time, although I'm planning on releasing a few pieces on Clips4Sale next spring.

sb: What are Your favorite types of gifts?

MS: I have a wishlist that can be found on my site which demonstrates my taste. I enjoy things I can use or enjoy with the person bringing them to me. There's always a new piece of bondage gear I have my eye on. Shopping together is a lot of fun but I also like surprises. For the Holidays I prefer donations to the charities of my choice.

sb: Do You attend any public functions?

MS: Rarely, I used to but these days I have been too busy and privacy is more important to me.

sb: Do You also work with Women and couples?

MS: Yes. I love playing with couples. I play with women a lot in my personal life and enjoy sessions with people of all genders.

sb: What Mistresses do You admire in the scene?

MS: I admire women who do behind the scenes activism to support and promote the human rights of other Women/men/people in the adult industry most of all, although I'm not sure if they would want their names disclosed here so I won't mention them. There are some great organizations out there including SWOP-USA, and in the Bay Area the Saint James Infirmary.

sb: Ms. Sterling, thank You VERY much for this exclusive interview for dickie virgin. It really was an honor for me! How can slaves contact You?

MS: Information about contacting me is available on my website.

sb: Very good and thank You, again!

MS: Thanks bruce, your questions covered an interesting variety of topics and I enjoyed responding to them.

September 26, 2008