Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Pierson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

After the unexpected death of my husband and a second diagnosis of breast cancer I had been quite shut down. When I finally started to peek out from underneath that blanket of grief, I attended a small party after a local gallery opening. There, I started a casual conversation with a divorced man who had also just finished cancer treatment. He was a graphic artist and a photographer. Much to my surprise we had lovely chemistry and we began dating. I started to come alive again and notice all the beauty surrounding me. Art was a constant in ours days. He drew, painted and photographed. He nudged me into joining him in his artistic pursuits. He was a brilliant coach, and with his constant mentoring and advice, I started experimenting with collage.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

The collage challenge was not easy. I felt frustrated, unsure of what I even wanted to create. I spent too much money on products that I ended up not liking and ruined many pieces of art. My beloved mentor counseled me, encouraged me and kept nudging. He told me that this was the path of an artist, to research, experiment, fail, try again, and discover.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I kept at it. I visted galleries, read blogs about collage and talked to every art store manager in town regarding products. I felt so uncreative. So stuck. I kept cutting up magazines and playing with different glues. And my mentor kept nudging. After months of this ongoing challenge I glued some random pieces together and created an image that made my heart soar! I was so lost in that moment, no worries or concerns, I lost track of time, a natural high, I had found my style and my flow!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I have had a variety of opportunities to show my art work in galleries and have sold many pieces, for which I am extremely grateful! Unfortunately life struck me down again…my sweet boyfriend/mentor died and breast cancer showed up again. I was shattered. After having a bilateral mastectomy, and accepting the fact that my boyfriend/mentor would no longer be there to nudge me and cheer for me, I shut down, again. I could not imagine creating art again. But all along I could hear his voice…nudging, encouraging, cheering. I knew I needed to collage again, to reconnect with the artist in me. I knew I needed to find my way back to the flow. And then it occured to me….I had become a collage, broken to pieces, cut up. I needed to find my way forward. I needed to glue myself back together in a new way, and not worry about the seams showing. I needed to slice, suture, reassemble!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephaniepiersonart.com
• Instagram: stephaniepiersonart