Today, we’d like to introduce you to Grace Merry.
Hi Grace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always loved art, especially mediums like animation and gaming, for as long as I can remember. I have always been very fortunate to have a large family that supports creativity in all forms, and they definitely encouraged me to continue my art while growing up.
Over time, I switched from traditional drawing and painting to digital, and this led me to an interest in animation, which led to me discovering the Cleveland Institute of Art. After exploring the variety of specialties within the field at college, I learned that my favorite medium to work with is digital 3D modeling. I’ve expanded a bit so I can do a little bit of everything in the 3D pipeline: Modeling, Texturing, Rigging, Animating, and VFX/Rendering.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have definitely been some ups and downs. I struggle with mental health issues that can affect my drive to create things from scratch, which can make it hard for me to keep my portfolio updated consistently.
The hardest part about being a 3D artist in today’s world seems to be finding a job. I was very lucky to secure a wonderful freelance contract with Whitethorn Games right after graduating college. The game we were working on together had a lot of potential, and everyone on the project genuinely loved it.
But in early 2023, budget cuts and layoffs began making their lovely appearances, and the project was canceled, and my contract ended. This led to about six months of constant applications followed by rejection letters, which can really bum a person out. I’ve actually been on a break from art for a little bit, but I’m working my way back into a creative routine.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I advertise myself as a 3D Artist. My main focus is modeling characters, props, and environment pieces for video games. I also like to rig and animate characters on occasion. My art style is usually has a very soft, cutesy look. I LOVE pastel colors and themes, and that gets translated into my personal work a lot. But I actually really like horror themes as well. I like to go for a creepy-cute vibe with a lot of my personal pieces.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Something that has definitely helped me over the years is my ability to adapt. I enjoy mimicking other art styles, and I have found it useful when working on multiple projects. I was also able to adapt quickly when the pandemic hit. I learned that I actually really like working remotely, even across different time zones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gracemerryart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracelikescake/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-merry-867670154/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceLikesCake
