Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Estrin.
Stephanie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was always creative as a child. My favorite thing to do was draw for hours at a time. I knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. However, my family discouraged the idea as they felt it would be hard to support myself as an artist. I took a different route and went into the technology field. I had continued to be creative on the side with many hobbies throughout the years. I turned one hobby into a custom-designed plush monster business that was quite successful. When that business came to an end, I knew I needed to continue being creative; it fulfills my heart and soul. I took up painting at the age of 40 and haven’t looked back. I’m finally the artist that I wanted to be as a child. I love color and playing with dynamic compositions. I love fully immersing myself into the paint with my hands and other tools. I love the intuitive process of just letting the painting evolve on the fly with no preconceived notions of what the outcome will be. I exhibit and show my work in local art galleries and sell from my website.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m an abstract painter with love for bold color. My work explores human nature and emotion that I capture on canvas that embodies my feelings in the moment. I begin each abstract with marks, brush strokes and hands full of paint to get fully immersed in the process. It’s intuitive, physical and emotionally freeing. The beginning is the best part for me. Through additive and subtractive processes, I create layers of color and marks. Some of these marks may get covered up, but they all add up to a visual story. My goal is to entice the viewer to look closer under the surface to be delighted or intrigued by what they see.
My biggest motivation in creating art is connection. To me, painting is about connecting to myself and to the viewer. When I paint, what emerges is an intrinsic language that is highly personal, yet at the same time, universal as we all have emotions. With the use of color, I strive to make statements through my art that are positive and uplifting; providing my viewer a glimpse into my world. I express myself through paint in a way that I can’t do as effectively with words.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Being an artist can be lonely as we spend great amounts of time alone painting or creating. I think networking events, meetup groups, and local art groups can alleviate some of that. Connecting with other like-minded individuals is very fulfilling. I’ve met some of my best friends that way. Touching base whether it’s a text, Facebook messaging or a video chat can fill the day to day void. Of course, nothing beats true face time and sharing a meal or going on a coffee date to catch up. We all need to just make the time to make it happen.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Upcoming exhibitions:
May 11 – 12 & May 18 – 19 WEST Austin Studio Tour, Blue Genie Big Top, Austin, TX
May 11 – June 9 Contemporary Texas Group Exhibition at Art On 5th Gallery (Ao5), Austin, TX
Some of my work is available at Art For The People Gallery in Austin, TX and the Georgetown Art Space and Gallery in Georgetown, TX.
My work is also available on my website at https://www.stephanieestrin.com
Contact Info:
- Address: P.O. Box 1871
Cedar Park, TX 78630 - Website: www.stephanieestrin.com
- Email: stephanie@stephanieestrin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_estrin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stephanie.Estrin.Artist
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephEstrin
Image Credit:
Stephanie Estrin
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