Who:  Stephen L. Duggins - aka Stē
What:  Painter/Sculptor/Photographer
Where:  Tempe, AZ by way of Richmond, VA
Age:  24
Currently Listening to:  Say Anything, Alkaline Trio, Social Distortion, Slayer, Face to Face, and Mastodon
(wow, quite diverse there)

It's really weird interviewing your brother-in-law, but hey what's family for anyway?  I believe in what he does and so I thought it only right to share with the rest of the world.

Ste's paintings remind me of a dream sequence in Tim Burton's head.  Surprisingly Stephen is a big fan of Mr. Burton's work and has been an influence on him for a number of years.  I'll be the first to say I'm not one for landscape photography.  I like it well enough but I'm more of a people person.  I, however, enjoy his photographs because I know that it comes from his love of his environment.  He wants to capture the true essence of nature within his surroundings and I think he does it quite well.  His composition is remarkably detailed and crisp.  I sometimes forget what I'm looking at because I've concentrated on one angle or one curve of his subject. 

Stephen is influenced by many different artists and things.  His main artistic influences are Tim Burton, Mark Rothko, MC Escher, John Shaw, Sandy Skoglund, and Henry Chalfant.  His works also reflect that of the Mexican holiday - Day of the Dead, tattoo imagery, graffiti, good music and the environment around him.

Ste is a very spiritually conscious individual with very deep thoughts.  He enjoys studying eastern philosophy and the balance of life.  He doesn't say much but you know he's listening and when he does say things it's because he means them.  A former soccer player and avid death metal listener, he's followed his family's footsteps into the realm of artistic exploration. 

I decided to probe my bro-in-laws head for further information.

How long have you been fiddling around with art?

Photography for about 11 years, Sculpture since 1999, and painting since early 2004

What do you like best about your art? 

The ability to create anything and everything and then put it out there for people to see

Least? 

That my skill level is not as high as I would like it to be

What medium do you prefer for your paintings? 

Acrylic, it just feels better and crisper to me

I see you have a lot of skulls in your paintings, what's up with that? 

I've always liked the image of a skull.  It can have so many different meanings, but ultimately it is the realty of death and that is something that fascinates me.  What happens after life?  So for about the past year now I have been trying to create as many different versions of a skull and still keep it my own style.  I guess, the skull is something I have grown up seeing in skateboard images and tattoos and Skeletor from He-Man.  It's natural for me to portray the darker side of life in my work.

Where would you like to see your art displayed? 

Anywhere where people have the ability to view my work.

Are you saying anything with your art?

For me, I usually don't try and send a message or even give an explanation of what a piece is about.  I feel that if I am telling the viewer what the piece is about, it takes away from their imagination of what the piece means to them.  Not only that, I probably couldn't tell you the meaning of any of my work for the simple fact  that I create the art and it flows out of me. I'm spontaneously creating while I go.  Therefore I don't take the time to ponder the meanings of my work I just do it and put it out there for them to see.  I want the viewer to perceive the work in their own way and let them read into it how they see fit.

Why landscapes? 

Nature and the outdoors are things I have enjoyed since as long as I can remember.  The land and how it has formed in general is amazing to me.  The earth is a living breathing entity.  It's like I am magnetized to creating imagery with some kind of a landscape influence in it.

Favorite Kung Fu Movie? 

 I would have to say The Five Deadly Venoms

Who is your biggest hero and why? 

I don't really have any heroes.  For some reason I don't idolize people like that.  However, there is this TV show, I think it's called Extreme Makeover, where they take a needy family, destroy their old house and build them an awesome new home and take care of their needs.  I think what those people are doing for needy families is awesome and those people have my respect.

Do you only like taking color photos? 

 I take black and white occasionally but I am most proficient in color.  I like to see the world in full color in my photographs.  My style does not lend to black and white very well.

Digital vs Film

Digital is an awesome thing. you can look at your work right away and be able to critique your work right then and there. It's a real big help when trying to make sure you get the best shot. On the other hand, I think film, especially the larger formats and color slides, are the best quality you can get in a photo. There is this realness in and on the film vs. this digitally created image. I like them both the same. One has as many pros or cons as the other.

Stephen is currently attending Arizona State University and will very soon have a degree in art.  He is currently approaching skateboarding companies in hopes to design a deck in the near future.  Currently, Ste uses digital Nikon D70 and a N90s 35mm, with Sigma lenses.  You can contact and find out more about Stephen on his MySpace.  

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