Elaine Stephenson
In May of 2021 Elaine Stephenson (a.k.a. Artsy Elaine) was kind enough to answer a few interview questions for the Atlanta Street Art Map:
When did you know that you wanted to be an artist ?
I grew up wanting to be an artist from an early age, but it always seemed like an impossible dream. So I used my artistic interests to major in graphic design to become a designer. I have really enjoyed design as a career path, but there was something always missing from my roles. In the last few years I dipped back into art again and got my first taste of public art which reignited a passion for becoming a full-time artist.
How would you describe your work to a reader who is learning about you for the first time?
I create bright and colorful art with positive messages to uplift and inspire. Flowers and typography play a big role in my work, but I’m also inspired by geometry, nature, and abstraction. This allows for a variety in subject matter, but what my styles have in common are bright colors, delicate details, and a positive message. I am also passionate about using my artistic voice to express my point of view on important topics like equality and social justice.
I briefly met you painting your first power box near Ponce City Market in 2018. Was that a pivotal time in your career?
Yes, it was! That project came at a time in my life where I really needed to be inspired and have a chance to use my artistic skills. That was my first ever ‘mural’ and public art project. Going through the process and seeing the result gave me the desire to continue to do more public art projects and power boxes, and those ultimately led to me wanting to pursue being a full-time artist. That project was a game changer!
Flowers and Typography are two very different things. What inspired you to bring them together?
Being trained as a graphic designer I got to learn about typography which led to learning hand lettering and calligraphy. I loved exploring type as imagery itself. However, I wanted to create more than just letters, so I noticed what I was drawn to doing was lettering a phrase and embellishing it with beautiful florals like I did for my first power box. Adding flowers enables me to pair organic shapes against more rigid typography and use different skill sets. I also like to learn about flower symbolism and choose flowers to add to the type that help support the message I’m trying to convey.
Your work is always colorful. How do you choose your colors
I always prefer to choose bright, cheerful colors when possible. Part of it may come from creating my designs digitally first, so bright colors make the most impact on the screen. Ultimately I want my artwork to feel positive and uplifting, so colorful murals help achieve that. I would say it also depends on the location and if the mural is for a client. If the goal of the mural is to make a space feel calm, then I would likely choose more calming and subdued colors. I also enjoy working with different color palettes my clients have, which keeps my work evolving.
Your murals are often described as positive and uplifting. What does it take to make a mural positive and uplifting?
I think it comes down to how it makes you feel. If you picture yourself coming across that mural unexpectedly, would it brighten your day? Would you have a nice moment looking at it? I think the subject matter and colors play the most important roles. That’s why I like to use phrases or words that are encouraging and helpful. Usually the messages are things I myself need to hear or be reminded of, so I know they will likely resonate with others too. Most people also enjoy flowers, so that’s an easy way to beautify a wall and make it cheerful, by connecting us more to nature. I see my purpose as an artist to make the world more beautiful and inspire others.
Why do you focus your branding work on female owned businesses?
Since I’m trained as a graphic designer, I am still very passionate about design. One aspect of design I’ve always loved is branding. I particularly want to partner with female owned businesses for a couple of reasons. I enjoy working with solo entrepreneurs, because I feel like I can really see my direct impact on their business and thus on their lives. I am helping another woman achieve their dream of owning their own business, just as by hiring me they are helping me achieve mine. So it’s women supporting each other by investing in one another. I also enjoy creating brands that have more of a feminine style or nature about them, so naturally that fits with many female owned brands, although part of my process does identify the style that is right for their audience.
Is there anything else that you would like the readers to know?
I’m really excited to be entering into a new phase of my career with a focus on murals. I’m looking to make more artistic connections and collaborate with other artists. I also am hoping to continue doing even bigger murals and participate in some art festivals. My biggest work so far is the 4,700 sq. ft. bridge underpass in the West End on White St. that was completed last November.
Link to Elaine Stephenson’s website: https://www.elainestephenson.com/Back