Artist Bio & Statement

Born and raised on the East Coast, Stephanie headed west in 1991 and landed at the University of Denver to complete her law degree. A few years later it was onto Washington State where she has remained for the last 17 years.

Art has always been an important expression in her life. Since the age of seven she can recall designing clothes. From that early interest Stephanie went on to create small businesses which included knitting and knit design, designing and sewing children’s clothing, and beading and hand wrapped jewelry. She also has enjoyed stained glass and clay work.  By far though, her strongest passion has been in her mixed media work.

Stephanie believes her designs are divinely inspired and come from a place of renewal and hope. Her recent series entitled “thoughts from the divine” included pieces designed around a single word, letter, or thought.  That modality has continued into her “Hope & Glory” show which reflects her passionate, patriotic feelings. “Most often I just randomly begin working on a canvas with no real intent to it. It just creates itself.  I will get very quiet and still my mind – and see where I am drawn as far as materials, colors or themes. I enjoy the whimsy and simplicity of the shape, texture and color of the subject. With my alphabet series, the letter becomes the backdrop for a variety of thoughts and emotions.”   Her pieces are intended to provoke a contemplative response in the viewer – and they do. She imbeds and buries messages, notes and photographs in the pieces. Some are simple expressions; others very complex and busy. All leave the viewer thinking, wondering, interpreting and curious (at least that has been her experience). Most designs are done on canvas and are self-framing. Layers upon layers upon layers create dimensionality with colors or letters or pictures just peeking through. (Stephanie often uses a collage-type technique using layers of paint, tissue paper, media paper, found objects, gel medium and/or other baubles.) The viewer experiences a glimpse of something and must fill in the blank or look deeper into the piece.

Like most artists though she delves into many thematic arenas including a more traditional color blocking and blending but mixes it up with heavy texture, dripping paints, metallic color and gold/silver leaf accents.

Over the last three years, Stephanie has been fortunate to her work in the Greater Seattle – Eastside area. She has also enjoyed the opportunity to do commission work in both private, and corporate, settings. Stephanie lives in Redmond, Washington with her family and continues to pursue her dream of working as a fulltime artist.

                                                                                                          
Faith                                                                                                                                                                   The artist in earlier times....             and today         photo by: Gretchen Crossley

     
 Hope                                                            closeup "Hope"