Artist Statement

Stephán is a self-taught artist who channels his creative energy into assembling dazzling mosaics using recycled Mardi Gras beads. In a photo-realistic style, he re-creates scenes of Louisiana to help bring awareness to the world of the innate beauty of the state's unique icons. Stephán engages in a craft that speaks to fine art, borrowing the ideals of Post-Impressionistic Pointillism and emulating the style and scale of Roy Lichtenstein's Pop-Art works. By approaching each piece with superior craftsmanship, Stephán has elevated and brings a level of "high art" to his craft. In preparation of each piece, beads are meticulously sorted by size down to the exact millimeter and perfect shade, creating a detailed and varied palette much like a painter would for painting. The resulting play of light and color recalls several Post-Impressionistic artists' works while adding a new dimension of shine through the use of metallic, plastic and luminescent beads. The illusion of three-dimensional space is often created through the use of perspective, the variety of sizes of the beads he uses to create actual dimension add an element of bas-relief. The works are stunning from distance and upon close inspection of his fine craftsmanship.