Page 48 - Final 10th Anniversary PDF For Printer

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

MERGENCE IS THE BEST WORD Stefanie Bales:
Eone can find to describe the current
work of artist Stefanie Bales. Her paint-
ings inspire the mystical and yet are TAPPING INTO THE
rather cerebral. Upon viewing her work,
one will experience an other-world- PSYCHE THROUGH ART
liness. Upon further inspection, one
might identify with the imagery and its By Deeba Van Overberghe
story. It is truly mystical.
An accomplished artist, Stefanie is
an Instructor at Platt College where she
teaches her students to use traditional Stefanie: “My work is rather intui- ically specific but were supposed to feel
2D and 3D mediums to create their tive as I start with one inspiration and universally familiar. Collectively, the
artistic visions, despite the rest of their respond instinctively to color, texture, works in the series have been described
coursework being software focused. and form. I don’t follow a visual map as depictions of universal daydreams,
Her educational background is impres- or have a specific frame of reference which as an afterthought, was feedback I
sive with a BFA from the University of allowing for a certain freedom to just let really enjoyed."
Delaware’s honor program and an M.S. each painting evolve as I work. I spent Deeba: “I happen to be dyslexic. At
in Educational Counseling with a focus years experimenting with an ink transfer times, and for brief moments, I cannot
on Art Therapy. It was through her process until I was able to hone the discern what the shapes are that I am
educational goals that she transferred technique into something that was really seeing and this causes an uneasiness even
her interests and experience in Gestalt individual to my work and aesthetic. My though the image is beautiful. In some
therapy into her artwork. method is similar to collage work, but of your paintings, I feel as if this is the
Following is a discussion I had with instead of cut and paste, I'm transferring case. Can you explain why I feel uneasy
this fascinating artist about her work: bits of texture and imagery amidst the when looking at some of your work, even
Deeba: “How would you describe the painted areas. This allows for moments though it is beautiful?"
approach and technique you take when of hyperrealism and really changes the Stefanie: “This is fascinating. I’ve
creating a piece or a series of work?” voice of an otherwise traditional paint- never been told that my work causes
Stefanie: “I love to work with all erly composition." a feeling of unease, but I understand
mediums and use everything from oils Deeba: “When I view your work I what you’re referring to. This goes back
to watercolors, but for the past five years can actually feel the heat of the day, smell to my process allowing for moments
or so I've been working primarily with the salt in the beach air or experience the of hyperrealism amidst the painterly
an acrylic and mixed media process popping and snapping of electricity when elements, resulting in a landscape that
which is really where I have found my looking at those telephone poles! Can is both surreal and juxtaposed. Be-
voice." you elaborate on how you use imagery to cause I’m uniting elements that weren’t
evoke those feelings in the viewer? As well, intended to be combined, the overall
can you talk about the emotions a viewer image becomes a montage of varying
might have while experiencing your work. perspectives, timeframes, and topogra-
Perhaps what I’m asking is, do you create phies, which in turn creates secondary
with intention to stimulate the viewer in contradictions or illusions in figure,
a certain way? “ form, and atmosphere.”
Stefanie: “Throughout my career
and my transition through mediums, ‘Gestalt psychology is an attempt to
there were always a few things that have understand the laws behind the ability
been the hallmarks of my work- the to acquire and maintain meaningful
study of light, the soft color palette, and perceptions in an apparently chaotic
the poignant atmospheric qualities that world. The central principle of gestalt
Golden Hour emanate from it. I’m very much inspired
Deeba: “I really appreciate the use by color relationships, especially those psychology is that the mind forms
of light in your paintings. As any art- derived from the sun. Regarding the a global whole with self-organizing
ist knows, the manipulation of light is emotional response, while creating my tendencies. This principle maintains
essential in conveying feeling, shape, and series Waking Life, I was really interest- that when the human mind forms a
mood in a painting. I've also noticed the ed in and focused on the idea of a priori percept or "gestalt," the whole has a
balance between light and textures in and the collective subconscious. I com- reality of its own, independent of the
your work. Can you expand on this?" posed landscapes that weren't geograph- parts.'

48