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Jennifer Moore's avatar

I really enjoyed this post as I feel similarly caught between expressive gesture and energy, but also feel a need to create The Most Perfect Line (or sweep of colour, in the case of my illustrations) and similarly love both the smudge and randomness of charcoal and other textural media, and the pureness of an exquisitely positioned single line. And I really like your use of negative space - there's something really exciting about white/black space and something that's very difficult to judge and execute, in my view.

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Steph Essam's avatar

Thank you so much, it’s almost reassuring to hear it’s a relatable struggle. I think I was led to believe that artists all have one unique way of doing things at a time and don’t stray from one style.

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Jennifer Moore's avatar

I find it's great to have a variety of approaches as it's easier to express myself. Sometimes I want meticulous, other times I want chunky marks and randomness, but I do find it has to be one or the other and this can be tricky when I'm constrained to the 'wrong' one. It's why I find it hard to commit to urban sketching meet-ups as I have to be in the right frame of mind for the detail/small sketchbook thing but when I am, it's blissful.

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Sandra Branco's avatar

I loved reading your story, it was captivating! Sometimes we have to look back and recognize our own path and the time things take, and that eventually everything has a meaning.

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Steph Essam's avatar

Thanks so much, that’s lovely feedback. It is so lovely when you look back to find that, isn’t it?

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Nino van Vuuren's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this and getting a glimpse into the development of your art through your own eyes.

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Steph Essam's avatar

Thanks so much, glad to hear that 💚

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Melissa Lakey's avatar

Loved reading about and seeing your art journey up to where you are now, thanks for sharing!

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Steph Essam's avatar

Thanks for reading Melissa! Glad you enjoyed it 💛

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Amy McGurk's avatar

I really enjoyed reading about the different connections in your work! It's nice to see how it naturally changed over time :)

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Steph Essam's avatar

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s only upon reflection that I’ve realized how it fits together. It’s been fascinating to look back through

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