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

Hi Gabby, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always really loved to MAKE. I remember constantly creating art for, say, a book project that absolutely didn’t require a colorful cover in school or writing my name in a detailed, intricate font on the top of a test, things like that. I enjoy working with my hands and hitting that creative ‘flow state’ that allows you to remain content in the single task you’re performing for hours, not knowing where the time has gone once something snaps you out of it. I strayed away from stereotypical jobs most associate as ‘creative occupations’ for a bit (although I found ways to make it imagining and engaging to some degree) and was taught that theater/art was in actuality the path for me, which was an extremely affirmative realization. I feel remaining in fields that fuel my creativity completely is truly what will make me happiest in my life, so I continue to push forward because it’s what I genuinely love. Now that I’ve supported myself for a few years without also what some would call a ‘survival job,’ I only now want to do all I can to keep it that way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work involves a number of mediums. Most times it is on the stage, either acting on it, painting on it, or designing the world which you see during a production. I’ve also been a part of a handful of independent film projects. At times I do commission work or personal projects which typically use acrylics, watercolors or graphite. I’m extremely excited about a mural that I just finished at the Georgia Aquarium. I was charged with both designing and painting it, so I first began with researching deep sea life. It was painted in UV Paint over the course of a month. It is an immersive deep seascape with rock formations, corals and various creatures. All guests are illuminated along with the walls when walking into the hallway.
I wouldn’t be where I am now without all those mentioned in the shout-out, and more. They have helped me to see that my creative eye is not something I should take for granted, or stray away from. I started to feel more at ease when I stopped trying to force my path and started paying more attention to where I was being led naturally. When you surround yourself with people who inspire you, it starts to become easier to notice the signs the universe is giving you and which routes to take and which to walk away from.
I very recently have learned the importance of balance and rest. It’s very easy to push forward continuously without pausing but you do better work when you’ve given yourself respite. I’ve also learned that when feeling down about whether I’m where I pictured myself in life at this point, it’s useful to think back to 5-year-old-me and imagine what she would have thought of my most recent work. Most of the time the answer is that she’s pretty stoked about it, and that keeps my eyes on further goals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend actually just visited last week from Boston & had never been to Atlanta. I wanted to show her and her wife a mix of the city life and the nature around us in the few days that we had. Their first day here, we visited the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, went to the original Ebenezer Baptist location, enjoyed some drinks at 3Taverns Brewery and ended the evening with some dancing and live music. The next, we shot the hooch along with some of our buddies who live here for most of the day, grilled out in our backyard, and followed that with a cocktail at The Blind Pig Parlour. We attended a Braves game, shopped around Little 5 and went thrifting and antiquing in Chamblee. We also grabbed food at our 2 favorite Buford Highway spots: Mamak and LanZhou Ramen. Had they had a few more days here, I absolutely would have taken them to Laughing Skull Lounge one night, and the Aquarium so they could check out some of my work there. I would have also loved to take them to a play at one of the theaters I regularly work at, a Jazz night at the High, an evening at LIPS, or a day trip to Cloudland Canyon or Arabia Mountain. I’m still finding new gems myself after living here for a number of years!

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?
There is an ongoing list of those whom I’ll always thank, so here we go: Ms. Pace-Berkeley and Ms. Chisholm at Blacksburg High School for helping cultivate my passions.
The theater dept. at Christopher Newport University for allowing me to explore my love of design and my love of performing simultaneously, while also giving me an incredible support system in life-long friends.
The teams at Burning Coal Theatre and Lee Street Theatre in NC for giving me my start post-college.
Joanie McElroy and Lionheart Theatre for opening their arms to me when I first moved to GA and giving me a wonderful, encouraging, creative outlet.
The Lyric and Legacy Theaters for allowing me to dive into scenic art once more and challenging me in my craft.
Lee Shiver-Cerone for the encouragement and influence.
Stefnie Cerny and Ash Bingham for sharing their talents.
The Exhibits & Projects team at Georgia Aquarium for offering me unique and fun opportunities at a venue that thousands of people walk through each day.
Elisabeth Cooper and Jennifer Kimball for taking a chance on me and connecting me to numerous other artists.
Rachel May for leading a space which I am constantly in awe of and inspired by.
Rob Mello & Kate Brown for giving me not only a new toolbox full of useful techniques but also leading me to realizations which have helped me to personally grow over the past couple years.
All other individuals and theaters that have assisted me thus far.
I cannot thank you each enough!

Website: gabriellescenicartist.com / gabriellestephenson.com

Instagram: @canvasstage

Image Credits
Casey Gardner Ford Photography (Legacy of Light @ Synchronicity Theatre production photo) Robbie Glen Photography (Headshot)

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