Life & Work with Stephen Early

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Early.

Hi Stephen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started drawing from a very early age copying comic book characters and just about any figure that was muscular in nature. As a kid, I just wanted to draw things that looked cool. In hindsight, I was drawn to the aesthetic nature of the human form. I started to gain recognition in middle school winning awards and being published in Art Scholastic Magazine. At the same time, I was invited to the Bemis School of Fine Arts for an oil painting workshop where I fell in love with the medium. It was then that I knew I wanted to be a career artist, but I had no clue where to start or what direction to take. It wasn’t until years later that I painted a portrait for a friend as a surprise engagement gift that I really knew who I was as an artist. It was a spur of the moment idea and I didn’t know how it was going to be received at their engagement party. The reaction I got was overwhelming. Though I felt honored and humbled by all the kind words from the guests, I also felt a bit guilty for taking some of the attention off the future bride and groom. From that experience, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and in 2020, I started Art From Early. Painting portraits that have meaning and purpose has enriched my life as an artist beyond measure and has given me a sense of meaning and purpose along the way.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was a rocky road at first. When I started painting portraits professionally, I was still working a full-time job at Red Bull Distribution. I had an influx of artwork inquiries with little time to actually work on art. I was working 10 to 12 hours a day, coming home to my wife and child, and then working on art until midnight or later. Balancing family time was near impossible. It really wouldn’t have worked if it weren’t for my wife’s superhuman dedication, loyalty, and support.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in custom portraiture, working primarily in oil paint. I’m currently exploring the use of pastel pencils on PastelMat paper due to the painterly quality that can be achieved and the amount of control it gives.

I’m often told that my style of realism captures the essence of the people I’m painting. To me, I’m merely painting what I see. Working from photographs has its unique challenges, but the personality can be observed even in the most pixelated of images. I’m just rendering it.

I’ve become known for combining multiple family photos into a single piece of representative art that typically combines the past with the present. My ability to composite multiple images and rework compositions and design elements alongside my customers with their input allows me to build a deeper relationship with the people I’m creating for. I feel that my desire to merely be a vessel in creating joy, meaning, happiness, and maybe closure in other peoples’ lives sets me apart from other artists. It never occurred to me until recently that I had the ability to make that happen, but I’m proud of who I’ve become as an artist and extremely blessed with the opportunity.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Denver: I love the vibrant culture in Denver. The creative culinary pop-ups that offer entrees that you can’t find anywhere else. The nightlife. The arts and entertainment and the energy within it. You can’t find a Broadway show where I live in Colorado Springs. Denver just feels alive and like home for any type of creative. If it weren’t for the enormous amount of traffic, I’d call it home, but that comes with the territory for all large and amazing cities.

Colorado Springs: I’ve lived in Colorado Springs since I was 11 so maybe I’m a bit partial. Colorado Springs feels like a mix between big city and low key small town. People joke about it being suburbia with nothing but convenient stores and churches on every corner, but I rather enjoy the slower pace of life. I love having the option to dive into all the excitement that Denver offers and then come home to my quiet neighborhood where I’ve carved out my own peace and tranquillity.

Contact Info:

• Website: Artfromearly.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/artfromearly
• Facebook: Facebook.com/artfromearly 

Image Credits
Hollie Adams