Artist Statement: STEPHANIE BOYLE

At the age of 16, I was diagnosis with Bipolar disorder with Borderline personality disorder. Painting became my escape. With my paintings I'm able to calm my mind and soothe my soul. My favorite thing was painting with my dad. When he passed away at the age of 42, I was only 19 years old. I put the paintbrush down. I thought that part of my life was done. It was just something I did with my Dad. 

I built a life, I got married and divorced.  I met and married the love of my life, who supports me in every way possible. He encouraged me to start painting again. Once he found out that I use to paint with my Dad, he question me why I no longer paint. I did not have an answer. I told him it was just something I did with my Dad and didn't feel right painting without him. He said something that will always stick with me. He said ""What better way to honor your dad than to keep painting"". 

When I started painting again, it was a way to honor my Dad's memory. It became so much more. Painting is a way to escape. I put my heart into my art. I want the person looking at my paintings to feel something. I want them to feel the hope I carry with me everyday. I want to convey all of the feelings I put into my art. Whether it's hope, joy, peace, or even sadness. I want someone to be able to get lost in my paintings.