Who is Tasya Van Ree? (Aside from Amber Heard's girlfriend)

Heard's partner since 2008, van Ree is an accomplished Los Angeles-based artist and photographer, who often uses celebrities as her subject -- especially her girlfriend.

Van Ree's web site describes her work as "infused with romanticism, darkness, intimacy, and a certain lyrical quality."

She spoke with AfterEllen in Aug. 2010 about her then exhibition, "Untitled Project," and referred to Heard as her "muse," like "Gala is to Salvador Dali, Kiki de Montparnasse is to Man Ray [and] Beatrice is to Dante Alighieri."

The interview also brought up the couple's activism record. "I want equality for every single person in this world," she says of a planned protest against Target for their support of anti-gay politicians -- something the company apologized for before the event could take place.

Heard and van Ree were even photographed extensively (above) at a Los Angeles same-sex marriage advocates demonstration against the August stay barring gay marriage after Proposition 8's overturning -- which does seem to make the "news" of Heard's recent coming out somewhat amusing.