About

I’m Stephanie—an artist and photographer based in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.

I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. I began drawing and painting as a child and, while largely self-taught, I was deeply influenced by growing up in a very artistic household. My father expressed his natural creative talent through music and art, and my mother was a successful artist and art teacher who inspired and encouraged me throughout my life.

Some of my earliest memories are of constantly creating—drawing, painting, sculpting, and experimenting with anything I could get my hands on. My first drawing was a simple spider and web in pen, and my first watercolor painting—a brown boot with a shovel and bucket in the sand—was proudly displayed on my grandmother’s fridge for years. From the beginning, creativity has always been a natural and essential part of who I am.

I attended the arts program at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute before continuing my studies at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, where I trained in a wide range of visual media, including life drawing, illustration, film arts, digital art, graphic and web design, and sculpture. I had the privilege of being taught by Mr. Peter Marsh, Art Director at Wexford, and was also guided early on by my mother’s mentor, Mr. Norm Wynott, who encouraged me to pursue formal art education. Their influence has had a lasting impact on my artistic development and I remain deeply grateful for everything they shared with me.

I’ve also been influenced by a wide range of artists, including Don Freeman, Stephen Gammell, Norman Rockwell, Richard Scarry, Dr. Seuss, Hieronymus Bosch, Henry Fuseli, Edvard Munch, Caravaggio, Francisco Goya, Peter Paul Rubens, and many others.

I graduated in 1998 with a focus on illustration and film arts, and have since developed a strong foundation in both traditional and digital practices. My work involves mixed media, painting, graphic design, and photography. I work with materials such as watercolor, watercolour pencils, gouache, inks, Copic markers, acrylic, oil and charcoal, along with digital tools—often blending techniques rather than limiting myself to a single approach. I’ve also explored a variety of hands-on mediums, including pottery, raku firing, paper mâché, and sculpting with Fimo. In addition to my visual arts, I am a licensed hairstylist with a passion for creative hairstyling, dramatic colour work, and special effects makeup. I enjoy working with prosthetics, latex, and airbrushing—areas that connect closely to my interest in transformation, storytelling, and horror-inspired themes.

My work is driven by both imagination and observation. I have a particular love for the dark, atmospheric, and unusual subjects—often inspired by Halloween, autumn scenes, ghosts, witches, skeletons, monsters, haunting, moody imagery, and of course—glitter! At the same time, I’m equally inspired by everyday beauty and enjoy painting flowers, trees, insects and landscapes. I often work from photographs I’ve taken on location, capturing the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Some pieces lean toward realism, while others take on a more fluid or whimsical quality depending on the mood and intention behind the work. I also enjoy creating small series—collections of connected pieces that explore a shared theme or visual narrative.

Photography and digital art also play a significant role in my creative process. I’m especially drawn to photographing the moon in its different phases, along with capturing both wide atmospheric scenes and intricate macro details in nature. I also create ambient animated videos, using tools like Affinity Photo along with animation and video software to bring my work into a more immersive and atmospheric experience. Music is another important influence in my life. As a pianist, I see a strong connection between sound and visual art. This connection often influences the mood and tone of my work. I enjoy creating sound effects and recording everyday sounds like footsteps, rainstorms, or creaking doors to enhance the audio experience in my ambient videos and add realism.

My journey hasn’t been without challenges, which have shaped my perspective and deepened my appreciation for creativity as both an outlet and a source of balance. Some days are more difficult than others, and I’ve made the decision to step away from my previous career to focus on living a balanced life—prioritizing my well-being, my family, and being intentional in my creative work.

I consider myself a lifelong student, always learning, experimenting, and pushing myself creatively. Art has brought me immense joy and happiness. I value the connection that comes when someone appreciates and resonates with my work—it’s meaningful to know that something I’ve created has reached others. Looking ahead, I continue to expand my portfolio across both traditional and digital mediums, always exploring new ideas and techniques. My goal is to keep evolving, stay inspired, and share my work with others.

Thank you for taking the time to view my work.