Stephanie Dudley

Painter

Senior Kindergarten 1990, Stephanie Dudley was the only one to stay in the lines and the first 5 year old to be a self-proclaimed artist. She didn't know why, but she loved to draw. She would watch Jem over the Smoggies just because the characters were more realistic. She didn't learn from artists of the past, she didn't care for art galleries or museums, she just loved to draw. Since the age of two, Stephanie has drawn from her soul. Her hands control what her mind creates, providing large sketches and paintings of people, always people. She can draw whatever you want, whatever she sees, but it's people that fascinate her the most. It's the bone structure, the way the shadows contour the face, it's the intensity of eyes. 

In high school, Stephanie studied art, although she dreaded the lessons, she just wanted to draw and do things her own way. She liked to go at her own pace and learn techniques herself, discovering her own abilities. No matter what the project, there would always be a face. You can argue she has no variety, but look at the world around you, all people are different; their noses, their eyes, their lips, that's not variety, it's diversity. It's the way she sees different people. She takes how they make her feel, and she creates, providing life on paper. 

In 2004 Stephanie won a poster contest for the Mental Health Association promoting Mental Illness Awareness Week. After this, Stephanie knew she wanted to pursue a career in art, but she wasn't financially able to take graphic arts or illustration courses. She also didn't think a career in art was secure. This led her to Sheridan College where she studied Advertising, this way she could still use her creativity. Her favourite class, of course, was Copy and Layout. She let her stubborn walls down and welcomed Photoshop and InDesign, as well as other creative tools to inspire and strengthen her abilities. She revived her writing skills, composing innovative, newfangled copy. 

In July 2007, Stephanie sold her first painting for $150.00 at Burlington's Artist Walk gallery. This encouraged her to create more. She began dabbling with paint more than her usual graphite sketches. She paints differently than she draws. It's quick, it's messy and it's always in black and white. She isn't always producing, it's only when she feels it's time; when she can feel it in her bones. Then she will create 3 or 4 pieces in a row, and rest for as long as six months, with little five minute sketches in between. She loves a challenge, and craves the inspiration needed to produce work with such ability and imagination. After graduating with honours in June 2008, Stephanie is pursuing a career as a freelance artist.