I seek colors when I’ve been too deep in the murkiness of shadow work and social isolation. They bring me out of numbness and pain during that flow of brush, water, and paint. I’ll put on Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” or Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and most recently, The Beaches’ “Blame Brett.” Then I’ll sing off key to “FourFiveSeconds” with Rihanna and Kanye. I’ll find my way to “Young Blood” by The Naked and Famous. To ( ( ( o )) ) ) “Nature’s Joint.” To Yaeji’s “Raingurl.” To Japanese Breakfast. To a raunchy hip hop playlist. To “People Ain’t Dancing” with Billen Ted and Kah-Lo.
Intoxicated with hours of liberation spent with these songs and acrylics. Then the effects would last until the next morning, when I’m back into the murkiness of shadow work.
Stepfanie (she/her) is a memory weaver based in a western Mojave desert in California. She’s a first-gen immigrant, brought from the Philippines to the U.S. as a child. Her main project is shapeless cloud(s) - a personal studio for research and documentation through multidisciplinary art projects (l i n k).
Love it!