To celebrate the return to life for *Manip-Equips, we bring you the long-awaited interview with one of deviantART's favourite stockists, *LongStock.

*LongStock is our Featured Stockist for the months of September & October and a heartfelt thank-you to Ana for being so patient with us!

On with the interview:

So, I guess the obvious question should come first; Why stock? What inspired (and motivates) you to provide stock to the DA community?

I love providing stock! I can't draw or paint, and I'm still trying to figure out how people do those nifty photomanipulations so offering stock photos has become my way of being part of the creative process. I love providing a boring, untouched basic image and seeing what people will do with it. Every now and then, someone will send me a link to something that just blows me away, humbles me, makes me proud to have been in some small way part of that artwork. I know that sounds really cheesy, but it's true. A couple of times, I got really unmotivated to do stock. I wasn't going to quit, exactly, but I sure wasn't producing anything. Both times, it was an amazing piece of art that had used my stock that got me excited about doing it again.



What is your key criteria for a good stock image?

It should be large. That's really the only key thing. It's amazing what artists will find useful, so I don't really have any criteria beyond that it should be a large image, and, ideally, in focus. I can't go on too much about that, though, because Focus and I haven't always been friends.



Obviously there are loads of people who have used your stock for all sorts of images and you've provided a wide range of themes, from pirates to go-go girls to fairies to cowgirls... as well as the odd cute kitten and mysterious landscape/architectural shot. What sort of themes are your favourites? What stock series have you had the most fun creating?

I like the kooky stuff, like the drunk snow white, or the star trek costume. I definitely have the most fun when I look completely ridiculous. It's all I can do to keep a straight face when the timer goes off, and I'm giggling like a maniac while I'm uploading them. Lately, I had a lot of fun doing the ninja series. It was just fun to think of all the absurd things a ninja could possibly do.





Having said that, what kind of art (made with your stock) is your favourite on DA?

That's tough. I was gonna say vector art, but then I remembered an awesome photomanip I saw yesterday and that reminded me of a drawing someone had made.
So what I'm saying is that I have no favorite style. If it's creative, done well, and makes me laugh or think or feel sad, it's a favorite.
Going back to the kooky stock - I know full-well when I upload it that it won't be used often but I'm doing it anyway, as a sort of challenge. I love love love when someone does something with it. *RileyRican is one of my favorite artists because she consistently rises to the challenge and will make the funniest, most awesome art out of that kooky, little-used stock.




Sock-sock-shoe-shoe or sock-shoe-sock-shoe?

That's just crazy! What if there's an earthquake?
People won't think twice if you've got no shoes. But one naked foot and one that's fully-dressed? That'll raise some eyebrows. It's gotta be sock-sock-shoe-shoe.


What inspires new stock themes? What's your process for divising new themes?

My clothes inspire the stock. I've always been in love with clothes and costuming. Going through my closet, I'll see something and think "Hey! That would be great for a witch (or a space alien or a lamppost. Whatever.)!"



What are your pet hates when it comes to people using your stock?

I don't like it when I'm not given credit, or if I'm not notified of the stock use. Any time someone doesn't follow my very simple rules of stock usage, it annoys me. Other than that, there's only been one incident that bothered me. A few months ago, someone used my stock in photomanipulation that had an anti-Catholic message. As a Catholic, it made me uncomfortable but not enough to ask him to remove it. The thing is, I'm putting it out there for people to use and while I was upset by what I felt was disrespect to my faith, it really was a lovely picture, and I had to respect what he was trying to say. But that's the closest I've ever come to being truly bothered by the use of my stock.

What would be your top three tips for other would-be stockers out there thinking of opening their own accounts?

Have fun. For me, that's the most important thing. After that, be creative. If you're a model stocker, use your face and your body as much as your clothes to create a character. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. When I started out, =psivamp helped me so much. She let me know what I should improve, what manipers were looking for and she gave me all sorts of encouragement.
The stock community here is, by and large, the loveliest group of people I'm met. We'll fall all over each other trying to help anyone that asks.


What's your favourite colour?

I like black. Or red. Or pink. It depends on the day of the week and my mood.


What is your opinion of the current stock scene in DA and how do you think it could be made better?

The current stock scene is exciting. There are awesome new stock artists popping out all over the place! And I think, while anything could be made better, the stock gallery has been much improved in the last year. Less MySpace Face and a lot more really creative and useful model stock. `oibyrd and `radioPooh have done wonders for the community.


Thanks so much for sharing your time with us. We'll conclude with one last question... Any hints about what we might be seeing from *LongStock in the future?

You don't want to spoil the surprise!

Thanks for reading! And don't forget to stop by *Manip-Equips and check out some of the fabulous resources we have listed in our gallery and join our ever-growing community!

Interview taken by: *Renilicious