I was first introduced to artist Stephanie King’s work in March of 2019. Stephanie, along with fellow artist Pam McDonnell were featured in an exhibition titled Olly, Olly, Oxen Free at the ANFA Gallery here in Charlotte, NC. The exhibition featured both collaborative and solo work by the two artists, and I was immediately enchanted by the gouache ‘Stacked Stories’ Stephanie had created.
In this interview, Stephanie shares about when she started working with gouache, her biggest source of inspiration, and an inside look at how her ‘Stacked Stories’ began.
When did your love of art first begin?
I have no memories of not drawing or painting! My memories of childhood that stand out the most are ones that include making art. I remember drawing on copy machine paper at my dad’s office, taking art lessons in elementary school, entering art or poster contests at the library or at school, and drawing on the floor of my room while playing records!
Although you’ve worked with oils and acrylics, you work primarily with gouache. What drew you to this particular medium?
A few things drew me to gouache. Firstly I participated in a series of classes taught by Maysey Craddock. Maysey is a phenomenal artist from Memphis who works primarily with gouache on found paper bags! (Definitely check her out!) I grew very attached to gouache after experimenting in these classes.
I love gouache because I can layer it like I would with oil glazes. That being said, this is very unconventional as gouache is meant to be used in very dense opaque washes. Secondly, oil glazes are beautiful and I would, by all means, prefer to use oils over any other medium, but the toxicity just makes me nervous.
Acrylic paint is the most difficult medium in my opinion! I do use it occasionally as a base/undercoat under oils.
What would you say is the biggest source of inspiration for your artwork?
I am inspired by so many things. The natural world is hugely inspiring in my work. I love all-natural history and I love natural curiosities!
In a non-linear way, I am greatly inspired by all types of design. (Fashion, textiles, etc)
I also love independent films. I literally write down ideas in the movie theatre. I can leave a movie theatre feeling completely recharged and ready to work after viewing some inspiring cinematography! Jojo Rabbit which just won the Academy Award for best writing in the adapted screenplay has not left the periphery of my brain for the last few months!
How do you begin each day in the studio?
I begin each day in the studio with a brief 10-15 min cleanup! I work best with my studio clean and organized. I usually put on my diffuser with some lavender or eucalyptus! 😉 I also love to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. Part of my studio practice is making folders for each painting on my computer that hold imagery, words, notes, photographs, colors, etc. I reference these folders constantly!
Back in 2019, I had the pleasure of seeing your exhibition Olly Olly Oxen Free along with fellow artist Pam McDonnell at the ANFA Gallery. It was the first time I’d seen your work up close and I fell in love with your pieces, Leap Frog and Blind Mans Bluff. What did you enjoy the most about working with Pam to create the collaborative pieces in the exhibition?
Working with Pam on the OOOF collaboration was really interesting. We work very differently and our ideas about each individual painting could be completely different or similar. I think every artist should experience collaboration at some point. There is a lot of opportunity for personal growth in that process.
Tell me about your Stacked Series.
Originally, my Stacked Stories were my own stories. The first series I made was a response to growing up on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Those stacks possessed a strong nautical theme mixed with a bit of southern vernacular and my love of natural history.
For your Stacked Family Portraits, art patrons will often send photographs to provide inspiration for their commissioned piece, what are some of the most unique items you’ve translated into art?
The Stacked Stories evolved slowly into the telling of other people’s stories. Some are about families as a unit. Some commemorate someone who has passed. I’ve made stacks about husbands, wives, children, and even family vacations!
When a stack is commissioned by a client, we either talk on the phone, in person or correspond by email or text. Clients send me photographs, lists, descriptive paragraphs, and stories that are representative of the imagery that they want to include.
I think my favorite item represented on a stack was a text bubble. A wife had said in passing that her husband’s first correspondence /text he ever sent to her was the word “howdy”.
I also had a client who wanted a piece of art made to commemorate her husband who had passed. Before he died she asked him how was she going to communicate with him after he passed and he said, ”The birds will let you know I’m with you”. Every day since he has been gone, she has found feathers. So….we included the feathers.
What is the largest commissioned piece that you’ve created and how long did it take to complete?
My largest commission was 48×70. It took three and a half weeks!
Where is your favorite place in the home to hang artwork that you’ve painted?
I definitely rotate art around my home! It is really fun and satisfying to place art on walls, even if it’s your own!
Website: https://www.stephaniekingart.com // Instagram: @stephaniekingart
All images in this post were provided by Stephanie King.
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