Stephano

Known to the world simply as Stephano, his life and work can be broken into many interesting chapters. Seeking to escape conservative West Michigan, Stephano joined a traveling carnival. This is where his love for vibrant, and alive colors was born. Making his way across the world during a 7 year tour in the U.S. Navy gave Stephano the opportunity to see original works by the masters. This inspiration gave him a completely different set of life skills and a new set of eyes to paint life through. After settling in California and running several successful restaurants his passion for the arts could no longer be set aside and Stephano went to work for CNN as a courtroom sketch artist. This led him to Little Rock, Arkansas for the White Water Trial. Stephano immediately fell in love with the rich southern charm and character of the town and to this day he calls it his home. Stephano is very involved with the community and donates both artwork and time to many charities local and national.
Stephano left painting behind in 1999 and 2000 to focus on his health. After being diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyopathy, Stephano nearly left the world without his color. During his fight with the disease he focused his attention to photography and mastering computer photographic manipulation. After a 3 day prayer vigil, salvation took over. Equal parts miracle and medical Stephano began to regain use of his heart. Still unable to paint due to his hands shaking uncontrollably. In 2004 Stephano gave his heart to the steady hands of the late Jonathon Drummond Webb. Stephano has been know to say he is proud to carry Dr. Webb's artwork around in his chest.
With a new life laid before him Stephano began to put paint to canvas again with a brand new vision and style. Bright colors and heavy textures run edge to edge dancing across the canvas. With a wonderful wife, a new gallery and a brighter vision of life, Stephano truly is a work in progress.