Welcome to the Studio of Stephani Hopwood

---

I was born in St. Louis MO and grew up in central Iowa with my incredible parents, my brother, Nolan (a fellow artist), and our triplet brothers. As the oldest and only daughter I naturally fell into a caregiving role and really cherished my childhood with my family. Our parents always supported our creativity. They had many art supplies for us to experiement with and even let me paint murals in my room. 

After high school I went to Marshalltown Community College where I received my Associate degree in Art and Early Childhood education. I am now a few credits shy of a degree in Art Therapy (which I hope to finish when my youngest goes to school) and I live in southern WI with my husband and our blended family of 5 children. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom with our youngest and I do my best to fit art making into little moments throughout the day.

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. I used to be very rigid in what I made and went into everything with a plan, worked hard on detailed work and tried making art that others would like. I had wonderful art teachers growing up but my high school teacher, Will Hildebrandt, had the greatest impact. There was one instance where we had 5 minutes left in class and he challenged me to use the rest of my paint on a small canvas, rather than wash it down the drain. I made my first abstract painting and knew instantly that abstract art would be my main focus. 

When I began my studies in Art Therapy I realized how important and beneficial different art processes are and I have spent the last decade exploring and practicing as many art styles as I can. I call myself a hobby hoarder.

I own a small business called Phlox and HoneyBee LLC where I sell handmade polymer clay earrings and miscellaneous handmade home decor items. In addition to my abstract paintings, I have painted murals in my community, I hand paint custom watercolor home portraits, create custom canvas paintings, custom tattoo designs, and custom logo designs. I also love to crochet, quilt, punch needle, embroider, weave bracelets, do beadwork, and throw pottery (when I am able to access studio time).

I am most inspired by nature and never get tired of being out in creation. I often use organic lines and dots in my paintings to pull the viewer’s eyes across the canvas and to add more life and movement to each piece. I get such a rush of freedom when I am able to sit in front of a canvas without a plan or when I finally master a new skill.

Abstract painter

Muralist

Drawing

Quilting

Embroidery

Weaving

Punch Needle

Watercolor Home Portraits

Tattoo Design

Logo Design