A Conversation With Artist Stephanie Godoy.
It’s our pleasure to bring you our conversation with this talented lady, Stephanie Godoy, a Moreno Valley, CA-based artist. Get to know more about her and explore the world that’s brought her to where she is now — an artist using the art of painting to access territory beyond the traditional canvas.
Much love to Stephanie for her time and Nicole Valencia for providing us with stunning images.
Follow us on Instagram @coduroysoul for day-to-day updates.
Talk about yourself? Has painting always been apart of your life?
Ever since I can remember, growing up was a game of figuring out how things in this country worked. My family moved to this country from Mexico just about two months before I was born, so naturally I became my parents translator. I remember being in first grade and being ashamed because I did not know how to say my birthday in English. I only knew that I was born in “Enero” (January) and felt like everyone else in the classroom would judge me because I did not know what month I was born in in English. Living check to check was a given, my parents took jobs where they could get away with not knowing English. Living in an environment where stress was heavily present, I would gather what I had access to and escape from reality.
I was surrounded by pens, papers and my siblings yearbooks. Looking through their yearbooks, I was fascinated by the way the human body would transform and develop year after year. I would examine my siblings and their friends as they changed every following year. So that is exactly what I started drawing. I would make up these characters and draw them as a baby, then gradually turning into an adult. Through doing that, I became comfortable with the ephemeral nature of life.
Painting was introduced to me in sixth grade, I did my first watercolor still life and my teacher was in complete awe. I did not think much of it but her enthusiasm about my work really gave me a sense of confidence that I never had before. I took Ms Koehler’s art class all three years at Sunnymead Middle School in Moreno Valley, CA. In those three years, I learned how to see color, how to make different colors and how to collaborate with my classmates to complete two murals. I was in love with art but also demanded myself to not become an artist. I was addicted to the idea that artists couldn’t make money, and coming from a place where lack was heavily felt, I ran away from art.
Could you pinpoint the moment(s) in time when you came to realize that art was your career path or that you were gifted when it came to painting?
There was no specific pin point to where I knew art was IT for me. I remember when my fragile confidence was smashed to pieces by my art teacher at Riverside Community College (now known as Moreno Valley College). I was a big fan of the imagery found in Disney movies like Pocahontas, Aladdin, and Mulan. One evening, out of frustration because I was not paying attention a professor at the time told me “You can’t even draw a cube, can you?!” We both knew damn well that I could draw a cube but him telling me I couldn’t, convinced me to never touch a pencil again and just focused on what I could do.
During that time, I was studying Philosophy and kicking ass in it so I just decided majoring in Philosophy and succeeding was more attainable than succeeding in art. I fled to San Francisco State University at 19 to start my junior year as a Philosophy major. That was the most challenging year of my life because something did not feel right. I listened to my intuition and dropped out right before starting my senior year at SF State. I knew what I didn’t want and went back home to Moreno Valley. Feeling depressed, and being involved in a toxic relationship, I wasted a year just doing drugs and partying. Once I was done with that, I moved to Los Angeles with just $200 in my pocket and an abusive partner.
I wanted change and thought my partner was on the same page. We slept on couches surrounded by cat hair and cockroaches while hustling to feed ourselves day to day. I signed up to take classes at LACC hoping to find what the deep void inside myself needed. I thought I was going to major in Childhood Development to become a teacher, but one art class and one art teacher brought back that spark that was ignited when I was in sixth grade.
My art teacher at the time, Laurel Paley was also in awe with my homework while I felt almost nothing about my work. I was broke, had a partner who was abusive in many different ways, and was lacking a support system. As the semester went on, making art and painting was giving me life again. By the time I was 22, I decided I had nothing left to lose and would pursue art. The more and more I kicked ass in my art classes, the more confidence I gained. Just two months after I decided to commit myself to art, I had the courage to leave a relationship that took me three years to ditch. Art was my new company, Art was my new friend. Art was sometime to cling onto.
What’s the usual ‘day in the office’ for you?
A usual day in the office for me constantly changes. I am currently in my senior year of college. In December 2018 I will be receiving my Studio Arts degree from CSULA. Everyday I am constantly learning there and working in the available space. At home, I have my desk in the corner set up with all my art supplies neatly or not neatly tucked away. I usually paint in my living room, or sitting on the couch. I surf the web looking for opportunities and researching other artists. Sometimes I will take my paints outdoors to enjoy a nice scenery while I work. A favorite spot of mine is Echo Park Lake.
Are you doing this full-time?
I am currently not a full time artist. Being a full time art student, and a part time retail worker has made it challenging for me to accomplish everything I want to accomplish. It was only a week ago that I decided to quit my part time job to dedicate more time to my career which is totally scary but I am making accommodations to make this risk worth it. Stripping away distractions is a necessity and motivating myself is a full time job.
You were recently a part of Desert Daze where you did live painting. That’s so great! How did that come about?
In 2016, I reached out to some Desert Daze people through their website. I sent over some samples of my artwork and asked them if they wanted a big painted sign for the festival. I delivered and enjoyed myself that year. One night, I went to an art show to check out Paige Emery’s work. I wanted to buy a print from her and once I saw her she let me know that Desert Daze wanted me on board again. I reached out and they asked me to live paint and of course I took the offer.
What’s your gear, ie: Preferred paints, brushes, etc?
I do prefer oil paint over acrylic paint because it has a larger color gamut, meaning that oil paints are able to produce more different and richer colors when compared to acrylic. As far as brushes, the newer the better. I ruin them easily but I am learning to take better care of them. My favorite shape in a brush is a rectangle brush, but my go-to brush always changes. Nothing stays the same expect the concept of change.
On Instagram, you’ve been promoting pieces of clothing with your art on it! They’ve all been so beautiful. Could you talk about that project?
Before I start a new project, I ask myself what do I want. That can range from what I want to see hung in my room or what I would want to wear. Recently I started painting on clothes because I am just quite bored with what is out there. Everything I like happens to be expensive so I want to be a creator of badass clothing and offer it to people who also yearn for the same thing. Something beautiful does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Everyone deserves to live surrounded by beauty, so that is pretty much my main mission. I gather inspiration, do research about a topic and then begin my work that somehow relates to the topic. I want my clothes to serve as a conversational piece. I want people to be able to connect with each other and if my clothes can be a tool in that, that would make me feel very useful in life.
Do you have any words of wisdom to creatives out there who might be in a creative slump, or simply need encouragement?
Words of advice: Do not let any person change your view on yourself. Not everyone has to like your work. Work on your stuff until you love it. Respect others’ work. Focus on yourself, your true friends will still be there. Don’t waste time trying to change others, especially a partner. If he or she hits you once, LEAVE. Time is precious.
Where can readers keep up-to-date with you and your work?
Readers can keep up with my work and events on my Instagram @StephanieGodoyArt
Last words, if you have anyyyyy further questions about advice on art, just direct message me! So many people helped me and I want to be there for anyone else who needs it at the moment.
