An Interview with Artist Stephanie Stouffer

Stephanie Stouffer lives in the quiet and beauty of rural Vermont, a place that nourishes her and her art. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, and for ten years was a designer with Hallmark Cards. There she received extensive experience designing for the social expression and decorative accessories markets. Since 1983, Stephanie has been working freelance, and her art is licensed on many products, including Rugs, Tapestries, Needlepoint Pillows, Stoneware, and Caspari Cards. We sat down and asked her how she got started in her career.

HCZ: When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
Stephanie Stouffer: Ever since I was a child, I've enjoyed drawing. I have always found pleasure in art and the process of sitting and working on art. It is very peaceful and healing.

HCZ: How did you get started in your career in art?
S.S.: I was at Bennington College planning to major in English or Psychology, but then decided to follow my heart to get a more structured and disciplined art instruction. I attended the Rhode Island School of Design.

HCZ: Did anyone help with your decision to become an artist?
S.S.: Yes, the counselor at Bennington College helped me realize my dream.

HCZ: Do you feel that being a woman has ever affected your career?
S.S.: I majored in sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design and at the time, it was very male-dominated, masculine work. The workplace was hot and much of the work dealt with using bronze and similar metals. It was in the mid-sixties.

HCZ: What companies have you worked with throughout your career?
S.S.: The first job I had was working for a toy company called Hasbro Toys. I worked modeling doll heads, but then I got married and moved to Baltimore. There, I got a job working for a man creating heraldic arms, or rather, family crests. My next job was teaching art at a public school, but after my divorce, I took a course and became a Montessori teacher. I did not make enough money to support myself, so I went to work for Hallmark. I was now living in Kansas City because that was where the headquarters of Hallmark were, and I worked for Hallmark for ten years. I moved to Vermont almost thirty years ago and started working with a representative who enabled me to go beyond wrapping paper and greeting cards. She would take care of contracts and large corporations because I did not want to deal with that.

HCZ: What made you decide to become an individual artist and was it a difficult decision?
S.S.: I decided to go out as an individual artist after I began to realize that I did not want to live in a city and go to a tiny cubicle each day. It wasn't a hard decision but I had to be very self-disciplined. I was able to free-lance for large companies but at my home studio.

HCZ: How do you get your ideas for the paintings and designs?
S.S.: I get my ideas from catalogs. They are my research. I also go to stores to see what's being sold and I try to stay informed of the trends on the market. Most of the work I do comes from my own imagination and sense of design.

HCZ: What tips do you have for young women interested in pursuing art?
S.S.: My advice is to believe in yourself and that your work has value. You must
also have basic drawing skills and a solid foundation in art, whether you're
female or male. Self-discipline and being able to organize your workspace and
time is also vital.

An Exclusive Interview with "American Idol" Costume Designer, Soyon An

If you don’t know her name, you probably know her work. Soyon An is the head costume designer of FOX’s hit TV shows “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” She has worked in the music, TV and film industries, and her past experience includes Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Sean Kingston, Kate Bosworth, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne and Pink. Soyon earned her second Emmy award for her work on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2010, after winning in 2009.

Hip Chick Zine: Did you always know you wanted to a designer?
Soyon An: No. I grew up being the biggest Tomboy. All I wanted to do was play outside.

HCZ: [Laughs] Me too. Your looks are so beautiful and unique! How do you get your inspiration?
Soyon An: Thank you! I draw inspiration from everything. Colors on a day after the rain, traveling, walking around in a busy street. And of course runway shows, magazines, movies, TV shows... The list can go on and on because it truly is from everything. And I'm very much into detail.

HCZ: Describe your personal style.
Soyon An: I see myself as a bohemian, rock-n-roll, and geek. [Laughs] I like to keep things low-maintenance.

HCZ: How did you get involved in “So You Think You Can Dance?”
Soyon An: I got my start as an assistant to the costume design on Season 2. That was the first season the show was going on tour, and I was the designer and supervisor of that show.

HCZ: How has winning not one, but TWO, Emmys changed your career… and life?
Soyon An: It definitely made me more confident in my work. It's an amazing feeling to receive an award like it. The fact that people who have been doing this for decades take notice of your work is life changing. I am now pushing myself to do better than the last, especially in my work and even with myself. I want to give more to the world... I don't know who's paying attention, but I want to give it my best.

HCZ: What’s the process like for designing a look on “American Idol?”
Soyon An: Well, to start, I only get 2 hours with each idol. It ranges, but a lot of idol's image styling is off the rack clothes that I tailor. This season, I have done a lot of custom pieces... The girls are smart this season! The fashion world is their oyster with me as their stylist, or if we can't find it the stores, I'll make it for them.

HCZ: What other projects are you working on right now? Future plans?
Soyon An: I am a fashion editor for Jimon Magazine, I'm helping to re- brand a company, possibly a boutique... Check out my upcoming website www.soyonan.com, follow me on twitter @soysfashion or read my blogs for the latest!

HCZ: Who would you love to collaborate with next?
Soyon An: I would love to collaborate with JLO, Gaga, or Rihanna... and maybe Banksy!

HCZ: What advice do you have for women who would like to become designers/stylists?
Soyon An: Get hands-on experience. Be prepared for long hours, a lot of schlepping, and organizing. Keep positive and when you see your work, or assistant work in a spread, on TV, or in a film, it's very rewarding.

HCZ: Off the topic of style, what’s your favorite travel destination and why?
Soyon An: I've had tons of fun all around the world, but I'd have to say Cusco, Peru was amazing. That's where Machu Picchu is, and when you get to the top, you know that anything is possible.

Photo Credit: Collin Stark