Stefanie Taranto
Medium: Oil Pastel and Acrylics
Website: stefanietaranto.com
Phone: 630-926-4667
Email: stefanie.taranto@mac.com
Stefanie Taranto, Fine Artist, is influenced by the process of translating observation into narrative, painting within the continuum between representation and abstraction.
Her current series are in oil pastel and acrylic; additionally she is well-versed in watercolor, dry pastel, pencil and pen and ink. Her works hang in private collections and corporate environments, most recently a 5 piece grouping in the historic Blackstone Hotel in Chicago, 2017.
Stefanie shows annually in individual and group shows as well as select fine art fairs. In 2018 she participated in the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival. Recent awards include “Best in Pastel” from Art in the Barn, 2016, and the “Purchase Award” from the Schaumburg Cultural Commission, 2015. Stefanie received her BFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
She splits her time between Wheaton IL, and Cape Cod, MA.
How did you discover your talent/medium?
Like many artists, I have been creating since childhood. Fortunately my parents fostered my talents with art supplies and lessons. There was no turning back! I formally studied art, drawing, painting, printmaking, at the college level, graduating with a BFA.
I still take classes from time to time with other artists as an adult, which led me to the wonderful medium of oil pastel… I have been cultivating my proficieny with them for close to a decade now.
What influences you to create?
Observations of my environment as well as personal experience influence the work I create.
What is the best thing about creating your unique artwork?
Sharing artwork I have created that is interesting, inspiring, uplifting- then communicating with the viewer about what they experience in viewing the work is a great thing about being an artist.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
What has been challenging for me during COVID-19 is not being able to participate in art fairs and in person art shows. My preference is meeting people in person, connecting through art in that way very satisfying. I am grateful COVID-19 has not affected my day to day life in a gross way, in that creating art is largely a solitary process for me and I still go out to create art in my studio as usual. Thankfully we are able to stay connected through the internet while we wait for things to open up again in the future.