Stacey Billups

Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, USA

Artist statement

Stacey Billups artbystaceybillups.com I am a self-taught professional artist. My practice is deeply rooted in self-exploration and healing. I turned to art in my mid-forties as a way to explore my journey of womanhood, began painting for the first time, and it transformed me; I felt reborn. I'm inspired by feminine energy. I am interested in exploring the emotions that center us through our endeavors, love, joy, togetherness, and serenity. I am particularly interested in highlighting how Black women and Women of Color connect with these emotions despite the world's obstacles. I create images of my subjects exploring their passions, enjoying moments of rest, reflection, relaxation, and joy. Although my work is primarily figurative, I am seeking not to make a replica of the model; instead, I often use a vibrant palette to conceptualize the spirit of my subjects. I work primarily with the mediums of oil paint and watercolor and gouache paints. In addition, I credit Laura Wheeler, Emma Amos, Lois Mailou Jones, and Alice Neel as artistic influences. My current work is an oil painting series, “Black Girls on the Move,” highlighting Black women occupying space in extreme sports activities such as surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding.

Artwork