ArtPrize - Sep. 23 - Oct. 8, 2009 - Grand Rapids, MI
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Artist information:
Christine Stephens
Grand Rapids, MI

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tender morsel
tender morsel
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Christine Stephens

Artist bio

I'm a self-taught painter, but I had a head start because my mother is an artist and she showed me that making things is a joyful act. Currently, I paint women's faces from old Library of Congress photos and rescued vacation slides from ebay, faces gleaned from the internet, usually faces that tell stories in their expressions. I'm interested in who these women are and how they survive in their moments captured by photograph and paint and my imagination. I recognize the women I paint, though I've never met them. I suppose the subject is feminist and historical, but for me, it's expressive.

I've painted in oil and acrylic, but I've recently returned to my original love, watercolor and gouache. I showed work at Festival 2009 & 2010 and at the last two Spiritual Art Celebrations in Grand Rapids as well as Artprize 2009. I'm honored Schuler Books downtown hosted my first solo show in May 2010.
About the work
Title: 300+ Lady Paintings and haiku: projected

Art form: 2-D, Film / Video, Internet / Interactive

Medium: Digital video slideshow of 300+ paintings plus haiku

Year created: 2010

Description of work: This is a show about women's faces and expressions--fairy tale, feminist, surreal, historical. Each painting will be projected along with haiku written for it by various local authors--and audience participation.

The images in this slideshow represent three years of learning how to paint faces. I produced over 325 portraits in this time.

I'll digitally project images of the paintings and haiku onto a large blank frame. I hope to have audience participation via internet where people might choose an image from among the random 325+ slides or write a haiku to project along with a painting.

Here's a prototype of the images that will be in the slideshow:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinestephens/sets/72157612591397335/show/

I love the stories these faces tell. I'm overjoyed to have people's impressions and ideas expressed in poetry alongside the images. I hope it deepens the experience of viewing the art.

Technical details
Linear wall space needed: 6 ft.
Total square feet needed: 6 sq. ft.
Additional considerations
Audio/video needed: Yes

digital projector, iPad
Electrical needed: Yes

place to plug in projector and iPad
Lighting needed: No
Internet access needed: Yes
Ground floor access needed: No
Indoor space needed: Yes
Outdoor space needed: No
Schuler Books Downtown Christine Stephens is showing at:
Schuler Books Downtown
40 Fountain NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Venue location

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Artist resume