January 2015 Vendor of the Month - ironman13

Congratulations to ironman13 for being Renderosity's Vendor of the Month for January!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Stephanie, I'm 28, and I live in Oregon with my significant other. I love animals, video games, movies, and 3D.

How was 2014 for you, and what goals might you have set for the New Year?

2014 was a very rough year. My significant other was very ill, andÂ I had to stop working for several months, but he's well now. And I learned a lot about what's important in life. My goals for the new year are to complete the new Body Beast workout system LOL! Computer work can take quite a toll on your health, and I want to be as strong and fit as I can be. Ask me in 6 months how it went :)

Can you give us any hints as to what you might currently be working on?

I'm currently working on world domination, it's not going very well. I'm still just a 3D artist.

Heh. Really I'm working on collection IBL images for a diverse light pack. Interesting thing, I carry a camera around with me, and when I see that the light is what I'm looking for, I'll pull out my mirror ball and start snapping pictures. This looks strange if you're on the side of the freeway. I'm also told it's illegal, LOL.

You've been honored with the VOM award several times now. What do you think is key in your continued success as a vendor?

It is a very big honor, one that's greatly appreciated. It's nice to be recognized when you work so hard.

I would say key things are trying new things, and a strong desire to make something fresh and new. Being willing to push the boundaries.

How did you originally get started in this career choice? What made you decide to become a vendor?

It was a hobby, and it was during the recession that I started because, to be quite honest I simply couldn't find a job. And that was one of the best things that ever happened to me, because I love making pictures.

What do you feel that you have gained most personally from your experience as a content creator over the years?

Self discipline. Learning to be your own boss is very much an exercise in self discipline. To succeed, you need to set your own hours and goals, and learn to be responsible and show up for work on time and work a full shift. Sometimes, I don't want to - sometimes I can't wait to go to work. It's taught me that following your own rules is a very good thing. You've made them for yourself for a reason.

Could you list some current favorites among the products you've created and tell us a little bit about them?

I think my new favorite products are my super real food items, the donuts, the sandwiches, the vegetables. These are my favorite, because it's a brand new way of creating content for me. I take photos in my studio with good lighting conditions, and I utilize those photos as sculpting references. Then I line the photos back up to the sculpture and attach them and line them up. It's quite a long process, but it's very rewarding to see something look so real. I've started incorporating some of this into my scenes, and I'm excited about the possibilities.

Where do you get your inspiration for your products?

Some from movies, some from tv, a lot of times it's filling a need in the marketplace. Maybe I see that something hasn't been made yet, so I'll do a search for that product, and if I can't find one, I'll make it.

What is currently in your digital toolset, and what could you not do without?

Modo, Zbrush, 3DCoat, Photoshop, and MARI. I suppose I really couldn't do without MARI, it really enables me to create the kind of textures I like in a 3D space, at a quality I'm satisfied with.

What would you offer as best advice for those looking to get started in content creation?

Get to know Poser and DAZ Studio as well as you can. Find a modeling application that you're comfortable with, I recommend using free trials first. Create a schedule, times when you will work no matter what. If you can stick to that schedule, you'll be all set.

What might we find you doing when not at work?

Reading books, playing pool, cooking, playing with my dogs, running on the treadmill, playing the latest xbox shooter, shopping for clothes, lol. I get into all sorts of things.

Any final words or advice for digital artists?

I find it incredibly enlightening to look at traditional art and watch art documentaries. Get good at taking criticism. Stay humble, forever, and just do your best.

Steph :)

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