Stacey MacLeod shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Stacey , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
As a mostly “untrained” artist, but after years of practicing my art–I am now confident enough to do large-scale, multi-media drawings.
I believe courage is a muscle humans develop, as creators and visual artists. I am now confident and comfortable (somewhat) in my experience of the art process and able to be courageous to create more fluid work than the tight graphic drawings that I am known for.
I tape a large sheet of paper to the wall of my bedroom and then it’s time for the chaos of drawing, painting, singing, dreaming. Through my experiences, I have earned the courage necessary to work through the my self-imposed, artist confines.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Detroit, multidisciplinary artist who creates graphic, molten images—drawn with ink or painted with acrylic and/or over-laid with watercolor or spray paint.
I am drawn to subjects that reflect the dichotomy between temporary physical forms and eternal spirit. I photograph and paint statues of angels and mausoleums in cemeteries throughout the world–because in their eroding state, the cemetery memorials represent the ephemerality of material world, and yet are symbols of everlasting existence.
My work often depict images of women (Virgin Mary, Isis, Venus) and feminine symbols (angels, flowers, birds)—using thick, graphic lines. Their motif varies in geometric landscapes, warped architectural drawings, and concert posters for my band, Dear Darkness.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I am firm in my belief that anyone can be a profound artist–but the essential ingredients to being an artist are intention and daily work.
Being an artist is a vocation. It is a calling, like being a healer or teacher. The work of art is the art of work.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No. Giving-up on art, music, teaching-writing, is never an option. I can’t image what I would do instead. Since I was a young girl, I’ve been drawing and singing. It’s my way of being.
Of course, sometimes I get frustrated, because I don’t have a studio and I didn’t go to school specially for art–so, yes, I have to battle some personal feelings of inadequacy to keep myself going. But inspiration feels SO GOOD. If I gave-up on my art vocation, I wouldn’t be open to feeling the incredible “emotion” of– “I feel what’s next to create! I want to see this color. I want to create this mood.” Inspiration feels like pure, essential spirit.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that fun really matters to me–fun and individuality.
I would like to think that my closest friends see my child-like spirit. When I explore beautiful cemeteries for memorials to memorialize through my artwork–I run through the fields. I talk to the statues. I crawl inside the trees and climb! It’s playful. I can confidently say, “I am fun.”
Individuality also matters to me. One of my mottos is, “I don’t want to make a painting that looks like a painting.” I want to make a painting that viewers can immediately tell that I made. I value fresh-perspective and unpredictability in art.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am walking in nature.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_magicplum_ , @deardarknessdetroit
