_{Her FAQ does answer a lot of questions. Still, we wanted to know more about one of deviantART's most popular stock artists, and this is how we found out that...}

Sophie is the kind of person who...
Sees both sides of an argument.
Reads both “The Skeptic” and “Fortean Times”.
Is glad that "Preppy" style is back.
Doesn’t watch Television.

In six words:
Scientific
Optimistic
Protective
Honest
Idealistic
Egalitarian






How did you come across dA? =BlackCatsAngel Was it the same time with discovering the concept of "stock photography" or were you already familiar with the term? Was offering your photos as stock in deviantART your first modeling experience?

Actually, my first account was =vkacademy which I opened at the request of a friend so that I could comment on her page. I didn’t actually upload any art (or even check in that much) for about a year. Then I started to add art and devwatches.
The idea to do stock? I honestly don’t remember. I don’t know when I even became aware of stock although, since I used lots of Photoshop brushes in my early art, I probably stumbled across it in the Resources gallery. I had done art modeling for both live art classes and for a photographer, so it wasn’t that huge a leap for me to make, although putting them on the internet did give me a nanosecond pause. But, in the end, I really can’t see why not. I don’t plan on running for political office or becoming a movie star. This is pretty much as famous as I’ll ever be. Happily, it’s lasted more than 15 minutes, so I’m grateful.

Your images being so popular and so often put to use, in most possible art genres, do you consider that your stock has become a "classic" one in deviantART? What do you feel about being called "deviantART's emblem stock artist"?

Did someone call me that? That would be awesome! I am not the first popular stock model here and when I started, I looked up to ~janina ~Blue-Stock and ~kristyvictoria to name just a few. But being not-so-young and with a very different figure than those girls, I had to go my own way and I felt that classically-inspired modeling was the niche I wanted to fill. Doesn’t mean I won’t try out other genres as well, though.

"It makes me feel pretty.
It makes me feel useful.
It makes me feel a part of creation."
This is what you answered when asked "Why do you do this?"
But how did taking stock photography affect your own self-image - did you change anything in your appearance or lifestyle especially for these shoots? What about the way the other people perceived your image before and after becoming an "art muse?"

Very good questions. Well, I didn’t have many self-image issues to start with. I mean, we all have things we would like to change about our bodies/faces but I felt that I was okay-looking enough that someone would find my stock useful. However, I really did not expect it to become as popular as it has, and that certainly has made me feel very good about not just myself personally, but good that an imperfect body is still considered inspiring and artistic. I don’t think “Wow, I’m hot!” I think “Wow, people still find a classical body appealing.”
BUT--- I am an observant member of Western society and I DO fall prey to wanting a smaller waist, thinner thighs, more luxuriant hair, and I admit that sometimes I just feel too pudding-like to take photos. It’s human nature to want to appear at your best to others. So, with that in mind, I do fret when I get to the high-end of my body weight pendulum and I do start to cut back on calories and do some crunches. And during those times, it is almost entirely my stock modeling “job” that I am thinking about. Modeling has made me more body-conscious, certainly. When something makes you feel good, you want to preserve it.

What did you feel the very first time when you saw your stock being used by somebody else? What type of work was it? Also, if I asked you to quickly name the first emotions that come to mind when you think about your activity as a stock artist from the beginning till now, which would they be?

Well, actually I was the first to use my photo in art. Hmm… maybe THAT was what got me into stock modeling! Seriously though, the first one to use my personal image (rather than an object or background) in a work of art was =Offering who did [link] which I love to this day. And WHOM I love to this day. He is one of my oldest deviant friends.
As for the emotions? Erm, I think that I’m much more “serious” about my photo taking but that it is still and always will be something I do for enjoyment rather than obligation (which is why I don’t offer to do requests anymore.) It’s become a more arduous task because of my higher standards and takes a lot more preparation and set-up. Also, in the beginning, I did it all myself but now ~Cobweb-stock is in on the action and we help each other.

What inspires you for a session? *MoNyOh

I think like an artist as well as a model, and my ideas usually spring from what I’d like to use. The nude stuff comes from lack of ideas, actually. Nude is easy! Since ~Cobweb-stock has the random cool bit of costuming (like the Elizabethan ruffle or the leather mask) I tend to build ideas around those pieces more easily than I get inspired by entire costumes.

Do you have your own little studio? Do you prefer one photographer as opposed to changing up? *fieryamazon What's your photographer's gear for taking stock?

Our livingroom is our studio. We’ve thrown out the sofa, loveseat and coffee table. ~Cobweb-stock built a frame for our paper backdrop roll out of speaker stands and pvc pipes. Our camera is an Olympus C-5060 and we have two umbrella lights, although one has a busted bulb at the moment.
Our camera has a remote control, which makes it possible to do my own shots, but I prefer having ~Cobweb-stock behind the camera to help with quality control. I don’t work with any other photographers but I would like to work with *Athansor someday.

What is your favorite type of music and why? Do you listen to music during shoots? ~goddessOFtheSUN

Actually, I am probably one of the few non-music-based lifeforms in existence. I very rarely have music playing on my computer or in the car ( ~Cobweb-stock almost always has music playing, so at least he gets to pick what we listen to, since I don’t usually care.) I prefer silence when I’m doing stuff. But I do get the urge to sing once in a while so I have my favorite songs in one folder of my PC. Some of the songs I enjoy: “Flower Duet” from the opera Lakmé, “Invincible” by Muse, “Cho” by Tsukio Amano, and “Schadenfreude” from the musical “Avenue Q.”

Do you design/buy special props to suit the idea you get for a certain shoot, or do you use anything that you find/own?

I very rarely go out and buy props for a specific shoot. The exceptions have been some clown white makeup for a request, the crown in my Snow Queen shots, and the wifebeater in my “Wanksta” pack, which was for a contest. Sometimes I find a neat gown at the thrift store and then decide to do a shoot based on the costume. Normally, I just use what I already have, since money is a little tight for us. We instead invest in equipment which will be used over and over such as the camera (obviously) and the backdrop. Our next expense will be to get our carpet replaced with wood laminate. Not just for stock, of course. Also because it’s easier to clean cat poop off of and won’t hold fleas and their eggs. DONATIONS WELCOME!

If you could shoot in any setting in the world, with any costumes/props/nude etc, where would it be? =Elandria What would you choose for your most intimate, your most grand, your most ancient, and your most expensive photoset ever?*skiesofchaos

I really really really want to do some underwater shots ala Howard Schatz. I’d get super long hair extensions and use various colors of gossamer fabric. An even more exotic, wild and totally impossible shoot would be inside a space station at 0 gravity.
Since my personal take on stock is “Keep it Simple,” I don’t have any ambitions for modeling in front of some grand scenery. I’d rather just photograph the grand scenery without me in it. That said, it would be cool to do a shoot during the monarch butterfly migration and see how many I could get to land on me. Or work with stunt people and do some “on fire” or “falling off a building” packs. Or get hooked up to some cables like Peter Pan! Poses that are hard to simulate.

Does what's happening in the world today reflect how you make your stock or have any influence on it? =BlackCatsAngel

No. I don’t try to make any sort of statements with my stock, but people are free to use it to make their own statements. Maybe someday there will be an event that inspires me to do a certain shoot. I totally wanted to do an astronaut in a diaper last February but….

Did you notice any recurrent "trends" in the stock category here in deviantART? How much do they affect your own style?

Well, I think that when one model does something really cool or pretty, and it gets used to death, that other models might want to try something similar. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Personally, as an artist, I’d rather use a “copy” piece that is less popular than use the original image that is seen everywhere. And each model adds something unique to his or her take on a concept. When ~Dove-Stock did her jumping images, they weren’t the first jumping images but they were exceptionally good and immediately popular. Afterwards, I noticed a rash of other stock models doing jumping shots. That meant that artists now had many options for flying, falling, dancing characters, and that is wonderful! I don’t fret about whether or not I’m copying or being copied. Nothing is truly original and artists will always inspire each other. I do think that the overall quality of stock is improving, at least among the serious stock providers. The bar has been raised and artists are demanding and using the best they can find. And models are looking to each other for tips on becoming popular.

As an accomplished visual and stock artist, I suspect that while shooting stock you have some kind of vision in mind for how a particular pose might be used in artwork. Have there ever been instances where you and a fellow artist have been found to have the same vision in mind down to the smallest detail? (or at least some uncanny degree ) *Lindowyn

Well, sometimes a pose is so evocative that there is really little else you can do with it. I’m thinking of my “wet fairy” pack, which is really useless for anything other than a wet fairy. But that’s really it. I know that certain poses will be used for certain genres, (like the Mermaid series) but the details and techniques vary so much. I guess I keep my visions pretty generic. I like being surprised.




How much is your creativity/artistic self present in a finished art piece that uses your stock? Do you feel that the finished image is yours as well as the artist's? ~madam-marla

Not at all. I see myself as just an ingredient or an instrument. The art reflects only the artists, not the models. That is the reason why I don’t get upset if someone uses my image in gory art or for something that I don’t agree with. It’s not ME, it’s THE ARTIST who is making the statement and who must answer for it. Yes, it would be upsetting and insulting to be used in an unseemly manner, but that’s the risk you take when you put you image online and offer it as stock. And the good works will always outnumber the bad ones. Truly reprehensible images don’t tend to be very popular and will be eventually swallowed in the avalanche of other art.
As for the good art, I’m no part of that either. I’m proud to be of use and to be included in the finished work, but I have no claim on it nor any bragging rights. However, when I do see someone’s art in a magazine and it has my image in it, I run around showing it to all my coworkers.

How is it you're so confident in your body that you take such pictures despite possible offensive remarks? ~kythsharra How do you deal with the people who leave comments being rude, crude, insulting, or creepy?~Kittenpants

For some reason, I don’t tend to get many rude or pervy remarks. I’ve gotten maybe five total? I don’t care if someone criticizes my body or makes racy remarks. What hurts my feelings is when someone criticizes my intelligence, morals or lifestyle. Those are the only things I take personally. I get enough kind words on my body that they act as a sort of ego-armor against mean comments. I find that insults hurt for about 2 days and then it’s fine. So my advice to any models being harassed is to report, block and re-read all the GOOD comments you get.

~Cobweb-stock aka *Onnagata-stock has always supported you in your artistic quest, he even joined it, contributing successfully with his own images to the devianART stock treasure. How important is for a stock artist to have the support and respect of their own families for what they do?

Support and respect definitely make it easier but it goes both ways. If my husband had expressed a wish for me not to do this, I wouldn’t, because I respect him too. One thing I have to point out is that I am an adult, have my own home, and have no plans for a notable future. Sometimes I see these young girls and I worry that what they do now will come back to haunt them. I don’t have kids that would be embarrassed by this. My husband is cool with it. I am fully aware of all of the rammifications of posting nude images on the interwebz. I am prepared to deal with that. I’m not sure these young girls are. If you have to hide it or lie about it, you probably will regret it later.

Many stock artists in dA chose to leave or went through a lot of conflicts due to the lack of support, people using their work without their permission or giving credit, or unappropriate Internet comments left on their images. You never expressed your desire to leave deviantART. What helped you deal with these situations? inspired by ~AussieMum

Even though I rely on the honorable nature of the artists who use my stock, I know that some will take advantage and others just aren’t aware of the "proper protocol" on using stock images. It’s not worth getting worked up about. Use of my image, even in an inappropriate way, can’t really hurt me. Someone not sending me a note that they used my image can’t hurt me. Even someone stealing my image outright and posting on their own website can’t hurt me. They could sell it, make a million dollars (yeah, right) and live a life of luxury and bliss. AND IT STILL WOULD NOT HURT ME. So what’s the point of fretting? I get out of life what I put into it. I’m not here for my own good, honestly. I’m here to provide stock for others to use, If I took it all down, I would not be any better off and certainly the artists who rely on me would not be better off. I never believed in making everyone one pay for the dishonesty of a few.

How would you define the relationship between you and the devianART community? Have you ever met any dA artists that you first came in contact with through the website?

I’ve met *jademacalla and *MochaTribe, ~Thwan-Condu, and *SieTalon. There are others I’d like to meet someday, so we’ll see what happens!
Hmm. My relationship with the community? Well, I’m not the most active participant as far as forums, chats, etc. I used to be much more active but have since become rather self-absorbed. Haha Oh, there goes my bid for Deviant of the Month!

Which was the most memorable experience you've ever had as a stock artist?

Defintely the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced here was the unselfish outpouring of support and donations when we lost our van and were without transportation. You guys saved our lives! I will never, ever be forget that.

What advice do you have for other stock artists? What advice do you have for artists who use your stock? ~Kittenpants

To stock models: listen to the critiques as well as the praise. Don’t get too wrapped up in your own image that you can’t take critiques and advice on how to do better. Don’t place so many restrictions on your images that you stifle the artist’s creativity or ability to make a living at art. If you aren’t doing this for the right reasons, don’t do it at all.

To artists: Treat the models well or you may lose them. Pay attention to the “terms of use” posted in their journals. Leave useful comments that let them know what they are doing right as well as what can be improved on. Don’t abuse the privelege of this free resource.

Do you decorate your home with artwork that used your stock? Also, have you ever gone to see an art show that featured artworks based off your stock?

Our walls are sadly bare. I have received a lot of prints, but just haven’t had the money or time to get them mattted and framed. Plus, I keep thinking I’m going to repaint the walls but that hasn’t happened yet. There haven’t been any local art shows featuring my stock but I do try and look through all the digital art magazines to see if anyone I know is in them.

Which type of artwork featuring your image do you personally prefer - traditional or digital? Do you still have a secret dream to see yourself in an art piece of a style or medium that hasn't been created yet?

My preference keeps changing, depending on the latest amazing masterpiece I’ve seen. I’d love to be sculpted in marble or cast in bronze.

If you could own one piece of artwork ... any artwork ... sculpture, painting, clothing, mural, even a building ... anything created and visual. What would it be? *ArcaneBrain

Oooh, there are so many to choose from! But, for the moment I’ll say “The Ecstasy of St. Theresa” by Bernini. I would, however, leave it where it is so that everyone can still enjoy it.

Is there anything or anywhere that you go to recharge your batteries and recover your equilibrium with life? *Amazonofexeter

It seems that when I’m gripped with ennui, I just need time rather than distactions to recover. I’ll go read science articles or look at astronomy photos or do cryptic crossword puzzles. My all-time favorite time-spender is online escape-the-room type games. I am absolutely addicted.

Everybody has got their personal and secret little life pleasure (eating the warm cake , walking alone in the woods, taking pictures of friends, and so on... ). What's yours? ~cyrano82

Ooh, the warm cake sounds good! I don’t know if there is anything I am especially prone to do for pleasure, but I do have the habit of touching people on the head or ears when I really like them.

Can you name any one skill you think would be fantastically fun to learn in your lifetime that you haven't yet? *Lindowyn

I’d like to learn lots of other languages, mainly German, Spanish, Hindi, Japanese, and sign language.

Which are your plans for the future?

To quote Jim Watson “I’m anticipating having a good lunch.” Beyond that, I’ll see what comes.

_{Much appreciation for all the deviants who contributed to this interview with questions.}