Interview

Sep 14

Stephanie Lebal

Stephanie Lebal is a self taught traditional artist that resides in Brillion, Wisconsin, USA, with her beloved husband and daughter. Stephanie was born in Ohio and started drawing at a very young age. She was told by many teachers, that she was an art prodigy, despite not having any formal education of the arts. Stephanie loved spending her childhood summers at her grandparent’s vacation lakeside cottage and spending her early teenage years riding her beloved horse, Chief. Stephanie has always been a huge animal lover and had loved helping to rescue orphaned and stray animals. Because Stephanie has always loved helping others, she reluctantly put her artwork on the backburner, and focused on working very hard to put herself through college, to become a nurse- graduating at the top of her class when she was 24. She met and married her husband, Glen, after working as a nurse for 14 years. One year later, they had their beautiful daughter, Rhiannon, whose beautiful facial features are used in Stephanie’s artwork.

While enjoying being a new mother, Stephanie was furthering her studies online to become a nurse practitioner, until a farming accident rendered her disabled and immobile, and stopped her career in healthcare. After overcoming many difficult challenges with her health and wellbeing, and with the help of wonderful healthcare professionals and therapists (a special thanks to Angie), Stephanie learned to walk again, and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an artist and published illustrator of a children’s book. In 2023, her dream finally came true. “Randy the Raccoon”, written by Michael Roger Reese, and illustrated by Stephanie, was published and released in April, 2023. Michael discovered Stephanie’s art on social media, when one of her friends, Ty, posted a charcoal drawing of a dragon she drew for him. Stephanie is known for her Hyperrealism drawings that capture the world with advanced artistic techniques and meticulous details. Her colorful art portrays beautiful ethereal styles, and when she uses charcoal, there is so much contrast between light and dark depicting every detail. Because Stephanie is unable to work in the healthcare anymore, she still likes helping people and animals in need. She is able to use her art to help raise money to help others. She appreciates any business so she can help others!

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born with artistic abilities; my mother was artistic and so was my paternal grandfather. My mother told me that I was drawing horses and other animals when I was a young toddler. Drawing has always been one of my favorite pastimes.”

What inspires you?

“I am a huge animal lover and I love nature and all of its beauty. I love blending my pencils to get just the right colors , and capturing the unconditional love that animals give us humans and capturing that soul connection in their eyes. I also love creating art that spreads love, kindness and positivity. As a retired nurse, I hope to make a positive difference in this world by using my art.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“The themes that I pursue are positivity, hope, beauty, peace, and kindness. I hope that when someone views my art, it will give them that.”

How would you describe your work?

“Colorful, detailed, creative, and beautiful.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I always loved Tasha Tudor, Jan Brett, Mary Engelbreit, Janie Olsen and C.W. Anderson.”

“As a retired nurse, I hope to make a positive difference in this world by using my art.”

What is your creative process like?

“I never know when inspiration will just hit me out of the blue; I will see something beautiful outside or somewhere, and I will get an idea, and I will have to draw it. I also do commission work. I first sketch my subjects on drawing paper, and either use oil colored pencils or charcoal to complete them. I also like to draw borders. When my art is complete, I will scan them and add dpi, text, and my brand logo.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I believe an artist’s role is an expression of one’s heart, mind, and soul to bring inspiration into the world.”

Instagram: @slebal_artist