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Art & Life with Steph DaLeigh

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Steph DaLeigh.

Steph, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in northern Virginia; flanked by the Blue Ridge mountains and Appalachia, so nature was, and still is a big part of my upbringing. I grew up a dancer, primarily classical ballet, and my historical, preserved, Quaker hometown was everything crafts. I spent time weaving, on the potters-wheel, drawing, painting, knitting, learning needle-point, and taking photos. Art was a way of life, and my parents encouraged it. After graduating high school, I had to make a choice, dance or college and ended up at the University of Arizona. Thus began my on-again, off-again, love affair with the state. I studied media arts/film production with a producing emphasis; I like being in the birds-eye-view position and organizing the people and big picture. I took that with me to San Francisco, where I worked in digital advertising first for a rep-firm, and then WIRED magazine. The industry wasn’t what I was best suited to do, and upon meeting a mentor, I stepped two feet into the fitness world. I ran that business for almost a decade; built two fitness methodologies, trained teams of instructors around the world “how to teach” as well as maintained a private practice for my clients. I painted through all of it. Injuries, surgeries, two miscarriages, and an inherent sense that something more was to come gave me plenty of subject matter. At some point, I remember looking around the gym and told myself “I don’t want to die around all of this equipment,” and I shut it down- all of it. I maintained what I did for so long out of love for my clients- some of the most amazing people you’d ever meet, but it was time to take care of myself. I moved out of the country to focus on the only physical practice I enjoyed; surfing, and ended up living in Costa Rica for six months, and then Mexico City, Amsterdam, Zurich, and northern Italy for the rest of the year. There was a moment while I was writing, working on one of my unpublished books in Florence, where I knew “what” I was going to be doing, and the “where” presented itself when I came back to the states. My Dad was sick for a few months and had retired outside of Phoenix, and after an 8-day photography driving trip, I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I now paint and photograph full-time, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s for a reason. It’s vulnerable and scary to show people who I am, let alone try to create and maintain a business out of it. I’m extremely lucky and privileged to be able to pursue this now, and it took a ton of work to get here, but I’m finally present and cultivating a sense of personal power. I am my art, and I love every second of it.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Two mediums dominate my attention; acrylic thrown on the canvas and photography; long-light and double exposure. Childhood family friend and neighbor, American painter Reginald Pollack (1924-2001) encouraged art in nature, and still provides the most influence on my painting technique and style. Since then, my desire to continually improve my capacity for sensory-perception has become the direct subject I focus on. As a trainer and coach for ten years, this began with my study of anatomy, which eventually evolved into an obsession. Working with a variety of people and personalities pushed me towards psychology and educating myself on modifying behavioral patterns through the physical-practice of becoming present. I personally strengthen my own synchronicity through artistic expression.

My work is the product of my human experience — fifteen years of classical ballet fuels every photo series. Three years of surfing in the bay area and central America allows the current development of “Practiced Drowning” splatter and tape series. An overall sense of gratitude has inspired my “Gifts” series; celebrating cities, cultures, and people. These demonstrate linear projections reserved through painters-tape applications with layers added above- applied and textured with all available parts of my physical body. The “Body” series is covering myself in paint and applying myself to the surface to explore my shame and vulnerability. Color and the absence of it, are fascinating to me, and led me to explore photography, primarily at night, featuring street-lights, the moon, any available speck of illuminated hope. A year out of the country produced the bulk of my photography, much of it being completed in CDMX, southern Ireland, northern Italy, Zurich, and Amsterdam.

I am, so much as I paint. I have yet to use a single brush; they are entirely hand-thrown, dripped, drizzled and stamped, with the occasional appearance of acrylic pen. Several acrylic pieces demonstrate listening as the most important communicative technique. Simplicity, patience, and restraint are their defining characteristics. The majority of my acrylic works house layers upon layers, encompassing months and years of rehabilitating my internal conversation. My photographic work as a whole is a direct form of communication to myself, adjusting the aperture to properly expose and fully experience my inner voice, speaking to the inner animal and reflexive instinct; we look for safety and hope through light, especially in darkness. What we say to ourselves in those moments of risk and excitement is meeting our authentic self face-to-face.

All of my artistic applications aim to preserve the emotion I felt in exact moments, in reaction to both joy and tragedy. Musically-driven, I put in my headphones and go to work; allowing as much good orderly direction to demonstrate itself, without me getting in the way. Becoming aware of, and in-turn, modifying my own behavioral patterns is a practice in becoming present. The goal of restoring synchronicity between facial expression, vagal and vocal tonality, and body language is a different process and experience for every individual, and the result for me has been taking an active interest in living my human experience.

Radiating our authentic selves is a vulnerable, fearless place to live, where we dismiss shame and embrace hope. I encourage you to explore what tunes you in, where time becomes irrelevant, and your senses are absorbed in the elements around you. Explore, travel, be open and receptive.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Keep making it! Don’t give up- there’s a market for everyone, and if you keep making art, the finances will come to you. It’s an energetic value. If you pursue things you believe in, the world will show up and support you. Also, use stuff that you wouldn’t expect. My boyfriend’s a luthier/guitar-builder, and if not for his scrap wood-panels, I wouldn’t be able to do half the work I can. I’ve painted with wine, rubbing alcohol, olive oil, all kinds of household items, and things I’ve found outside. I once came across a discarded windshield wiper- and completed my biggest piece that lives somewhere in Costa Rica.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Financial support is hugely appreciated – I accept donations on the Feed Me and Contact pages on my site. I promise I won’t be eating my art supplies.

I do art shows here locally in Phoenix as well as in California. I just finished up PhxFlea, if people haven’t been to that market you gotta go! Currently, I’m preparing for a show in Yountville (Napa, CA) and the Pancakes & Booze Los Angeles; then I’ll be back for Local Trade’s Mama’s market. I keep my website up to date with upcoming events and try to keep up with my ever-expanding art and photo practice. Social media, I’ll take a follow! @stephdaleigh on Instagram. I’d love for people to visit www.stephdaleigh.com to order prints or original works, as well as Steph DaLeigh on Etsy, https://www.etsy.com/shop/StephDaLeigh.

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Image Credit:
Steph DaLeigh

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