Painting
Stéphanie Prest-Beaucher
“As an artist, I have always been interested in the formal elements of painting and textiles. Much of my art is based on my knowledge of color theory and the juxtaposition of complimentary colors. I have always been fascinated by experimenting with the combination of color and pattern.
Over the past couple of years, my work has taken a far more realistic approach. Working with more natural shades of color and playing with tonality to achieve a more three dimensional quality, this has led me to explore nature and its intrinsic beauty.
Through photography and the subsequent painting. I try to capture a certain sense of serenity and tranquility that is often seen only in nature — something I feel is often lacking in our fast paced world. The environment I live in and the experiences that occur in my life have been the source of my inspiration. My work is a culmination of this variety of influences.”
Surrounded by painting and other studio-based arts her whole life, Stéphanie Prest is an actively engaged artist from Montreal, now living in Victoria, BC. Holding a BFA from Concordia University, she served as a member of the Painting and Drawing Students’ Association and acted as the Association’s Vice President during her senior year.
Her varied endeavors include working with fashion and accessory designers Viola Blanca and Cheryl Fudge, mehndi (henna tattoos), flower arranging and photography. She is also greatly inspired by traveling and her trips to places such as Nantucket, France, Brazil and the West Coast. Long inspired by vivid colours and the study of colour theory, Prest’s work has evolved as an exploration of colour, pattern and representation of physical forms.
Stylistically influenced by artists such as Guido Molinari, Gustav Klimt and David Hockney, her love of nature and experience working with flowers can be seen in many of her painting series. Most recently, she explores landscapes and seascapes. Through photography and the subsequent painting, she attempts to capture the serenity and tranquility that occurs in nature
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