About Stephen

Baltimore County

Spartana creates abstractions or surreal landscapes, where his subjects appear and then fade through spatial dimensions. The viewer is guided on a visual journey through the familiar into unfamiliar environments, layered like scrims of fabric, seamlessly transitioning between organic and inorganic elements. Similar to a dream, the work’s shifting perspectives represented by fluid environmental elements, suggests life’s shifting realities and constant change. His current research utilizes a… more

Interwoven

In this series Spartana creates dreamlike landscapes by combining the human form with multiple organic elements. It continues a concept from his earlier study, “Human-Nature,” which explored the interplay of black and white forms overlaid with details of flowers. Here, he expands the use of natural elements to include landscapes and details of nature during times of growth and decay.
 
Spartana says they are “like the strata of memories. The mirrored surface of water reflects skylight into a hidden hollow, revealing something new, yet familiar. The patterns of leaves or sedimentary rocks naturally suggest intricate tattoos. These compositional layers of elements give the viewer reason to look closer, to see beneath the surface. The interplay between the human form, organic elements, and the landscape create incredible beauty for me, as they are intertwined on earth, coexisting as one. We are of the earth, and how we treat our environment affects all of us.”
  • Leaves in Fall.jpg
    Leaves in Fall.jpg
    Series is about nature, textures and the transition through time. The human element is man's influence on nature.
  • Seasons Change.jpg
    Seasons Change.jpg
    Multi-layered image that combines both digital and analog images printed on bamboo paper.
  • Rooted.jpg
    Rooted.jpg
    Multi-layered image that combines both digital and analog images printed on bamboo paper.
  • In Blue.jpg
    In Blue.jpg
    Multi-layered image that combines both digital and analog images printed on bamboo paper.
  • Redwood.jpg
    Redwood.jpg
    Multi-layered image that combines both digital and analog images printed on bamboo paper.
  • Water Dream.jpg
    Water Dream.jpg
    Lonely figure layered with beautiful reflections of fall trees on the surface of the water, almost as if they are pieces of fabric.
  • Spinal Drip .jpg
    Spinal Drip .jpg
    The beautiful layering of seasons within a human figure, using an icicle as structure of the human form.
  • Hug.jpg
    Hug.jpg
    Series is about nature, textures and the transition through time. This image also shows unity and love.
  • Fall Transitions.jpg
    Fall Transitions.jpg
    Series is about nature, textures and the transition through time. Timeless qualities to the seasons despite mans interference.
  • Moss .jpg
    Moss .jpg
    Series is about nature, textures and the transition through time.

Human Nature

A earlier body of work layering images of human figures and flowers done in analog, concentrating on strong colors and composition. The work is a complement to the macro flower paintings of artist Georgia O'Keefe. Her work was my inspiration and the beginning of the study that I'm doing today.

  • Surrounded.jpg
    Surrounded.jpg
    Soft blend of an form , hands sweeping the body encased in the flow of a petal.
  • Petel Wear.jpg
    Petel Wear.jpg
    Layered flower petal and human figure combined on analog media, so Georgia O'Keefe
  • With Wings.jpg
    With Wings.jpg
    Another of my analog images that layer flowers and figures that are a tribute to Georgia O'Keefe.
  • Iris.jpg
    Iris.jpg
    Marry a photo of an Iris with a human torso done with B&W film and polaroid color film.
  • Pirouette.jpg
    Pirouette.jpg
    Play of shapes and textures caused by using color polaroid film and infra-red B&W film.
  • Hug1.jpg
    Hug1.jpg
    C flower petal close-up forms the backdrop to a woman in a man's embrace.
  • Stillness.jpg
    Stillness.jpg
    Body floating as if in deep dream floating through space and time.
  • Flight.jpg
    Flight.jpg
    Another in a series of human figures blending with tight flower photographs.

Intertwined

In my work I attempt to create fanciful landscapes by combining the human form with multiple natural scapes. The interplay of black & white forms overlaid with details of flowers take on the function of strata. I’ve expanded the use of natural elements to include scenes of nature during times of growth and decay. The natural reflective surface of water creates amazing mirrors of the world they reflect.  Recently I’ve become intrigued with tattoos and body painting and found that the patterns of leaves or sedimentary rocks naturally suggest intricate tattoos.  These compositional layers of elements give the viewer reason to look closer, to see beneath the surface. For me the interplay between the human form, organic elements, and the landscape create incredible beauty, as they are intertwined on earth, coexisting as one.
          
My artwork is an extension of views of nature, humanity and our relationship to Earth. I believes strongly in a positive approach to life and our world, with the understanding that we, as stewards, have the responsibility of providing a better place for the next generation to thrive. I focus on the beauty that surrounds us, encouraging the viewer to preserve our beautiful and fragile planet. The images are achieved by combining analog infra-red B&W images with digital shots made with Nikon D5.
 
  • Inter-twined.jpg
    Inter-twined.jpg
    The layering of a figure with the profile of a lilly, the image in which the series is based upon.
  • Iris Enclosed.jpg
    Iris Enclosed.jpg
    Layered image using analog infra-red B&W with digital nature images.
  • Sleeping on Rock.jpg
    Sleeping on Rock.jpg
    Layered image using B&W infra-red analog film and digital nature images.
  • Orchid Within.jpg
    Orchid Within.jpg
    Human figure as a vehicle for a blooming orchid.
  • Venice Ghost.jpg
    Venice Ghost.jpg
    Layered image using B&W infra-red analog film and digital nature images.
  • Statue.jpg
    Statue.jpg
    Layered image using B&W infra-red analog film and digital nature images.
  • Imbedded Orange.jpg
    Imbedded Orange.jpg
    Layered images of figures and nature, in this case flowers and stone are used to create textures.
  • In Pieces.jpg
    In Pieces.jpg
    Layered figure with rock and flower textures as a metaphor for time and space.
  • Reaching Out.jpg
    Reaching Out.jpg
    Flower layered with a figure in a dream like setting.
  • Stones.jpg
    Stones.jpg
    Blending of a figure in the stones along the water. The layering of form fitting like pieces of a puzzle.