Meet Stan Myers | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stan Myers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stan, how does your business help the community?

To be an artist is stewarding what you are born with rather than choosing what you will do as a career. There are aspects of being an artist that direct me to be a business man, but also a benefactor to society, but both of these stem from being an artist at heart. I have had a number of occupations in life that I have enjoyed and used skills in, but creating art is the central activity to who I am as a person and brings the most contentment. Ironically, even if I am not producing art I am still an artist as a person.

I think the most important thing I can do as an artist is to affect the way individuals see. So to speak, to see with the eyes of their heart. To encourage a deeper revelation of the goodness and beauty of the world around them through some aspect of my artwork. I want to encourage the viewer to appreciate not only what I saw as significant, and therefore created a piece of artwork, but that they may be enticed to see more deeply for themselves.

As an artist I am grateful for the ability to see in a deeper level. I find discovering beauty around all of us as restorative. In past years when I wasn’t creating art I wasn’t attuned to seeing. This gives me a perspective of the importance of sharing what I do related to benefitting those who receive it. When I discover something in my environment that is a significant experience for me I want to attempt to capture some aspect of it. Not to keep it for myself, but to share it with others, that they may benefit by seeing it too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I look back over the years since I received my degree in fine arts life has taught me to be true to who you are as a person. I started out with an extent of success as an artist; however, the opportunity for consistent income pulled me away to graphic design. The benefits were good for that time of life, but Im not so certain it was best. It was enlightening to me, setting in a meeting, when a colleague expressed, “Stan, we’re all designers here except you. You’re the artist who does design.” Eventually I heeded the calling to return to art full time. There will always be challenges to being an artist, but too often we can compromise ourselves for the lure of money as security. I found there is a difference in doing art for money than doing art because your heart is there, but expecting you will get paid for what comes from your heart.

It was enlightening to me a conversation with the owner of a large gallery that now represents my work prior to applying for representation. I asked him what kind of art sells from his gallery. In his kindness, he quickly corrected me saying, “Its not a matter of what sells its a matter of what’s in your heart. The clientele can tell what your passionate about and they want to share in your experience.” Since that time, every owner or director of a gallery has shared with me those same words.

These words have often been a filter I use for producing artwork. There are things I can paint that I know are more likely to sell, but I find the paintings that I am attempting capture and experience I feel passionate about is more captivating to those who see it. Ive even done paintings I didn’t think would sell, but had to do it because I was passionate about it sold immediately.

What do I get passionate about. Foremost about light. Light? Light is what creates the mood, feeling, impression of an experience. Its what reveals what you are seeing. The same subject on an overcast day is completely different in low evening sunlight. Subject wise for paintings, Im drawn to a diversity of subject matter. Some times I go to locations like coastlines, knowing there are places of beauty to be discovered. While at other times while running an errand and I encounter something that takes my breath away and I have to stop to experience it. Its part of being an artist. Its not like you go to work from 9-5. You’re always an artist because that’s who you are as a person, but then you do art. That’s the profession. I wouldn’t want it any other way because Ive had other professions that were not true to who I am as a person.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I might take them to a few local sights: however, I would rather wow them with a trip to places on the lake Michigan coastline, such as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. It is one of the primary places I go to for inspiration for my artwork. If you were up to it I would probably take you camping so you could wind down from being over stimulated with society. After a couple of days this will help you with opening your eyes to learn to truly see. I’ll take you on a hike on trails through meadows. You’ll hear birds singing you never noticed before. Ill point out the textures and colors of the plant life. Eventually we walk into the woodlands of the dunes. There is a quiet reverence to the place. You can feel the age of the virgin pines towering overhead. Though its a beautiful sunny day, the shadows in the forest are dark and mysterious with a touch of dappled light here and there. After climbing higher and higher up the back side of the dune at Pyramid Point you are a bit fatigued, but excited with anticipation. You can faintly hear a roar and see sunlight ahead. When we reach the peak of the dune you are caught in amazement at the sight 300 feet above the brilliant turquoise blue waters of lake Michigan. The distant horizon line is so sharp and crisp. The brilliant white waves crashing into the shore line below. “Its magestic!” you express, “This isnt a lake! Its a sea!” After setting there with a reverent disposition of such an incredible experience we head back. Its time for an ice cream. So we head off for the charming little town of Glen Haven to discover. You wont be in a hurry to leave. This is one of many places to discover along lake Michigan.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Matt Tommey Mentoring program for artists — This may not be for every artist, but it was right for me in the season

Website: stanmyersstudio.com

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Image Credits
All image credits belong to Stan Myers Studio