Stella-Lee Anderson's Gallery

After spending my teen years intensely studying and drawing Madonna and Marilyn Monroe from fashion magazines, I went to Long Island University and Richmond College in London for art and studied the nude in photography and drawing. I then got my Masters in Elementary Education with a focus on the arts from Pacific University in Eugene, Oregon. While living in Eugene I started a community art space out of an old candy store. It was aptly named Jawbreaker; partly to honor the history of the beautiful 1940's building but also to represent the frustration of censorship. The art I was creating at the time was jarring and used words and drawings to capture how I felt about current events at the time. I created the gallery to be a place where creativity was nurtured, encouraged and motivated. I spent a couple of years teaching art to middle school students at a learning camp while living in Portland, Oregon. When I moved to Hilton Head Island 7 years ago I did not know anyone so I would take my pen and paper and go to area venues and draw the musicians. In Oregon I had known many musicians and had created a style of drawing them that helped me to remember the experience more vividly. I realized by enjoying drawing so much, I could never be bored again. I even drew a series while attending the National Opera in D.C.. As well as musicians I  have also been drawing comedians at the HH Comedy Club. I enjoy capturing a moment on someones face, in a wag of a tail or the placement of fingers on a piano. 

 

I make my own distinction between drawing and sketching. The reason I do not consider myself a "sketch artist" or my drawings as "sketches" is because they are not studies. I am drawing what I see and I draw in pen so there really are no mistakes. Every mark is part of the drawing. Sometimes I will decide to turn a drawing into a painting but most of the drawings remain as they are. Small enough to fit in my lap as I drink my wine- so no one can see what I am doing.  

 

My latest series is inspired by my discovery of watercolor pencils. My art background focus has always been on drawing. But I love color and find some of my pieces come alive with it. Prismacolor pencils was what I worked with in school and watercolors are so easy to work with and versatile. The pencils allow me to draw and then the brush and water pull out the color.