Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie West.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always had a passion for creativity and making art ever since I was a child. I was blessed to have come up in such a creative family. so, the artistic skills must have brushed off on me. I distinctly remember as a kid coloring all over the bathroom walls and I even wrote a book that my mother has kept after all these years. It wasn’t until middle school when I first watched the film “Wildstyles” a movie about a graffiti artist, is when I fell in love with Hip Hop and graffiti. I began to experiment with this art form and got more into drawing, graffiti, and stenciling but I didn’t want to just limit my abilities to just one type of style. I have since branched out and began doing portraiture work with acrylic paints.
I always knew I wanted to do something with art and wanted to take it more seriously in high school. I am now a current student at the University of Houston Clear Lake studying graphic design. Art has always been a side hustle for me for the most part until I recently took a leap of faith and made it my full-time job. It’s not a walk in the park by any means, but I believe much in myself and in my dream. I want people to know that what you want really does exists out there .and to not settle but to work hard until you get it.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a mixed medium and portrait styled artist. I mainly work with acrylics and spray paints. A lot of my influence comes from expressionism and pop art with the use of bright bold colors and rough brush strokes. I also like to incorporate my stenciling skills to create interesting backgrounds for my portraits. I paint a lot of celebrities mostly but I do everything from landscapes, to commission art. I really want my artwork to be a great conversation piece as well as stand out when you walk into a room. I had some great opportunities to get some of my work autographed such as Mike Tyson, and Kim Coates who played in Sons of Anarchy. I want people to know the most critical and vital part to my creating process, which is that I love to get down and dance while I’m painting. It really helps me be looser with my brush strokes and plus. it’s fun!
After losing my last art studio in Hurricane Harvey, I have converted a small section in the garage as my little studio for now and it works great. I wouldn’t recommend painting in it during the day because of this Texas heat, but I am a night painter so it works for me. I paint on all sizes of canvas but I choose to work on a much larger scale. – the bigger the better. My ultimate goal is to one day start painting murals all around the city and even businesses.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
If you would have asked me this question 10 years ago, I would have just answered with wanting to be in the spotlight and money. But as I’ve matured, I have realized that those things are not at all what it’s about. My definition of success as an artist is to paint something that challenges me. I think of every painting as an exploration…I don’t always have a plan when I begin a painting. I am interested in doing paintings that challenge me, whether it be in style or subject. The beauty of paint is you can always change it so I always keep that in the back of mind as I’m exploring styles and colors. The major key into being successful is to stay persistent. Constantly work on your craft and stay persistent. If you honestly LOVE and enjoy what you do…. you will be successful and more importantly… happy.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Come follow me on my Instagram page @Stephicakes143. I take process pictures of all of my paintings as well as the final product. It’s a great place for me to engage with all my followers and supporters!
Contact Info:
- Email: Artworkbystephanie@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Stephicakes143
- Facebook: Facebook.com/UrbanExpression
- Other: Snapchat: Stephicakes143
Image Credit:
Stephanie West
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