Welcome readers!

This is my second "20 Questions" interview with a deviantART stock provider. My series of interviews is meant to help people get to know the Deviants that provide the stock images they use in their artwork. It's also here to (hopefully) answer possible questions for would-be stock artists.

This week's interview was with Gracie of =Gracies-Stock.



This Tasmanian stock photographer has been at deviantART since January of 2006. As a member of dA's stock community, Gracie participates in costume exchanges with other "stockers", she organizes contests and donates prizes for other Deviants' contests, and she has founded and helps with a number of clubs for stock providers and stock users.

I first met Gracie a bit over a year ago. I was taken aback when she asked me the "What are your deviantART goals?" I still don't think I have an answer, but I have since discovered that this is the kind of question to expect from a go-getter like Gracie.

The fact is, =Gracies-Stock seems to have her finger on the pulse of dA's stock art community. If it's not in her gallery, chances are good that Gracie knows where to find it.


1. What's your favorite thing about being a dA "stocker"?

=Gracies-Stock: It's my creative outlet, when I feel down and out I either create more stock for people or I look again at the wonderful things made with my photos - Yup my favourite thing would have to be that everything about it makes me happy.

2. Your stock club memberships are quite extensive. What do these deviantART clubs and groups do for stockers that join?

=Gracies-Stock: I do try to join all stock clubs that start - Most of the ones I list no longer run; I simply haven't had the time to sort and remove them. I started joining initially so that more people saw my stock, but as time went on - I now join them to participate in contests and get to know other stockers. Clubs are a great asset to the stock community.

3. You own and manage a few stock clubs at deviantART. What made you decide to open them?

=Gracies-Stock:
I started *Creative-Model-Stock with =FantasyStock to influence and encourage people to create more creative stock. It was also a way to interact and help out other stockers.

I started *Resource-Central with ~fae-stock because we felt there were too many clubs based around Model Stock and we felt the other areas of stock were being un-appreciated when it came to clubs.

I am head of model category at *Stock-Library. I signed up for it because I feel Stock-Library is one of the best stock listings yet to be put together on dA - It is categorized as well - To help artists find the stock they need.

I also used to submissions aide for *StockResources, ~stock4figureartists and I was co-admin of ~ActionStock but had to give those up due to not being able to keep up with everything.

I start clubs because I really do like to be helpful & to get involved in the community.

4. In your opinion, what 3 clubs are "must join" groups for stock artists?

=Gracies-Stock:
~Creative-Sheet-Stock is such a fantastic idea. Not everyone on dA has enough money to buy great costumes - But it does not mean they cannot make great stock! Which is what creative-sheet-stock is all about - Getting creative with un-creative fabric.

Even though *Creative-Model-Stock is my own - I would still list it even if it was someone else's club. After all - Isn't creativity what we all need?

The *CollaborationStation is a great place to get to know other stockers. You can do Collab Stock Sets with a fellow stocker even if they are across the globe! Low for ideas? Come join a current collab

5. With regard to your own stock gallery, which of your stock images are used most frequently?

=Gracies-Stock: It's hard to say which exact images are used the most. But my most used series have been...

Ghost In The Graveyard: (example)


Flying: (example)


Frames: (example)


And these two images have been used A LOT:



6. What do you think makes these images so useful?

=Gracies-Stock: I am really not sure. For the ghost series and the flying series, both models are exceptional - They were pieces of art in themselves. It is the same dress used in both series - People seem to love the olden-day theme.

7. Because you are so active with dA's stock community, it would be interesting to know... What's the best advice you'd offer anyone that may be thinking of opening a new stock gallery at this site?

=Gracies-Stock: It is not as easy as it looks . The best advice I could give? Be true to you. Do what makes you happy - If you're not enjoying it - What's the point?

Also, to be careful of the few bad eggs we have here and to do the best quality stock you can

8. On the same note, what advice would you offer someone that may consider starting a new club or group here at dA?

=Gracies-Stock: Honestly. Don't start one if you don't feel you could keep it running or that wouldn't be able to find someone to take it over. Alot of great stock clubs start and then disappear - It's sad. Also, choose a theme and/or club name that's original Make one that encourages people.

9. You also seem to enjoy hosting art contests. What are some of the most fulfilling aspects of running such contests?

=Gracies-Stock: Seeing the fantastic work that is made with my photos of course Although I do love giving out prizes to people at the end -It makes me happy to see them excited about winning

10. When entering a contest that you host, what should contestants know that you're looking for in a "winning" entry?

=Gracies-Stock: Basically - I love the art with meaning. One that makes me laugh or smile, frown or even the ones that bring tears. I like a story.

From one of my first contests these are 1st and 3rd place...


1st - It's time and effort were so visable from first glance. It reminded me of something beautiful getting dragged away by the monsters of life.


3rd - It was fun, it made me laugh

It normally doesn't have alot to do with skill level. I basically love it to draw an emotion or tell a story.

11. How did you feel the first time someone used your stock?

=Gracies-Stock:


That was the first piece ever made with my stock. And I loved it! I had no idea how he had done it because at the time I didn't know anything about photoshop, etc.

12. Up to the point of this interview, what's the most unexpected piece of art that was made with your stock?

=Gracies-Stock: Um - I would probably have to be this one...



It looks so much like the photograph - But it's a drawing It's amazing. I love the fact that someone took the time to draw a drawing like that and they used my stock as reference

13. If you could add any subject (person, place or thing) to your stock gallery, what or who would it be?

=Gracies-Stock: I would LOVE to go the Germany and shoot the big castles and old buildings. I adore old buildings and castles and that sort of thing - To see and feel the history. Wow.

14. Which stock image in your gallery makes you most proud?

=Gracies-Stock: My whole gallery makes me proud.. But I am especially proud of:

&

My DD's ... To be good enough to be selected for such a special award - Makes me very happy

15. What was the inspiration for those photos?

=Gracies-Stock: For the first - It was meant to be a "sad - funeral - widow" type shoot but turned silly when Mum added a candle. We had so much fun and it payed off

For the second - I used to do Jazz Ballet but had to get rid of all my costumes, etc when I grew out of them and stopped dancing. When I saw *faestock's costume - I had to do a shoot in it - I love Ballerinas

16. You sometimes use stock images in your photomanipulation artwork. Can you show me an example of a stock image that you may consider using in your personal art?

=Gracies-Stock: I am planning on using...



I adore the innocence of it. She's stepping and she isn't even sure of where she's going as she is looking down. The stock image tells a story already - Which I hope to be able to exand.

17. On a technical level, how does your own artwork in photomanipulation help you in respect to your stock photography?

=Gracies-Stock: It's made me realize how hard it is to find the perfect stock image. Even with the 1000's out there - Sometimes when you need an exact thing - It's impossible to find. It's made me want to give more variety in my own stock.

18. Are there any "stockers" at dA that inspire you?

=Gracies-Stock:
First and foremost. She is un-believable creative and her stock is so varied and the quality, always 100%!

For her individuality and "spice" to her stock images.

For not only offering great stock images - But she can be a real gem too - Always there for a chat.

One of the BEST stockers on dA! They are all so professional and the poses, expressions, and themes are some of the most creative I've seen.

Some of the most beautiful stock on dA. She finds time to do while juggling Uni! Her ability to pull off some amazing poses is great

19. Which one of your stock rules is the most important to you?

=Gracies-Stock: That people must SHOW me the work. I want to see every little thing they do I don't want to miss anything.

20. Is there anything else that people should know about =Gracies-Stock?

=Gracies-Stock: That they don't already? Probably not. For those who don't know me too well, I'm emotional and sensitive and I'm one of those people who just wishes the whole world could be friends

Thank you, Gracie! I appreciate your time and your opinions.


_{Last Interviw:
20 Questions with AlinePotter-stock}