Meet Stephanie Hoff Clayton | Artist and Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Hoff Clayton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the wild and beautiful natural world, metaphysics, the cosmos, and my inner landscape. I sometimes experience visions during meditation and the imagery provides inspiration, too. For me, creating art is a spiritual practice and a celebration of the divine essence and sacred interconnectedness of all. I have recently been exploring themes of transformation and liminality. Portals inspire me – not simply as physical passageways but as in-between spaces to other realms where anything seems possible. An interest in cosmology has proven fundamental to my artistic development, as my ideas are alchemized into paintings, drawings, and collages. I’m also richly inspired by colour! I love discovering the endless colour palettes I can create with paint.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My creative process is part intuition and part reasoning. I used to think I needed to work like other artists I knew – planning and making preliminary sketches before starting a painting. I no longer feel the need or desire do this. Instead, I start intuitively and make decisions along the way. This practice has worked well for me through the years. I never know how a painting will evolve. I simply allow the work to speak to me and through me. As for teaching, I place great emphasis on freedom of expression, whether my students are learning painting techniques or participating in my Intuitive Art sessions. To my knowledge, I’m the only artist who offers Intuitive Art classes in east Texas, or at least in Tyler.

One of the many challenges I’ve faced as an artist includes starting over in new places. I’ve moved a lot in my adult life including to a small tropical island where, despite limited resources, I built a successful creative practice and art teaching career. It was there that I learned to be resilient and resourceful, making do with what was available. Infrastructural resources such as running water and electricity that we Americans take for granted were frequently out of service. For a while, I had my studio downtown at a friend’s business where there was no water supply. We each brought in full gallon jugs daily. Also I found an outdoor water source between our building and the next, where I would clean my brushes. It was certainly inconvenient but that’s life on a Caribbean island!Another challenge I’ve faced when working from a home studio, as I currently do, is eliminating distractions, staying on task, and setting clear boundaries with myself and others. The older I get, the more I am prone to distraction, it seems! I see much that I need to be doing, both in and out of the studio, and I often have to redirect myself. I often have to redirect myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
No trip to Tyler is complete without a stroll through the lovely Rose Garden Center or a nature hike at Tyler State Park. We’d have a nutritious, nourishing lunch at Whole Health. One evening, we’d go out for Texas barbecue at Stanley’s and maybe catch a live band playing. It’s also fun to attend a patio concert at Fresh while having a nice glass of Texas wine and something delicious from the deli. My favorite shop in town is the Crystal Rock Shop. If my friend is a crystal fiend like I am (or even if not), we’d go for a relaxing browse and probably bring home a new crystal, singing bowl, and perhaps some herbs or hand-crafted jewelry. If the timing is aligned, I’d take my friend to an art show at In-between Studio near downtown. Tyler Museum of Art is another good option. Their exhibitions are well-curated and my visitors always enjoy seeing what’s showing their galleries. And of course, I’d have to take my friend to experience the colorful little art enclave that is Edom.. Lastly, we’d need a day trip to Dallas to visit the incredible Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center nearby.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Jonathan has been my greatest fan, ally, and supporter. I truly would not be where I am today without his support for all my endeavors.

Website: https://stephanieclayton.com/home.html

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieclaytonart/ and https://www.instagram.com/moonwater_studio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieclaytonart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonwaterstudiotx

Image Credits
Michele Fraichard Lisa Rachel Horlander Stephanie Hoff Clayton