Having always been a creative for as long as she can remember, going to art school felt like a natural progression. Following a superb Foundation course at Farnham (University of the Creative Arts) her creative leanings were decidedly towards both Graphic Illustration and Ceramics, an unusual combination which has engendered a broad creative skill set.
Continuing her studies at Farnham at degree level in Ceramics and Jewellery making, she returned to the Foundation course where she was then given the opportunity to teach pottery at an all boys school. Having such a wonderful time, she naively thought this is what teaching must be like. Consequently, she completed a post-graduate teaching qualification at University of Sussex.
After a long and fruitful career teaching CDT she recently retired although having never lost her desire to be creative, she measured her success by how well her students performed. Her favourite role in teaching CDT was to develop and implement graphic design projects and courses where she was able to combine both her creative and problem-solving skills.
This sat perfectly with her love of card and packaging and being naturally drawn to ceramics, tile making, 2-D design, screen printing, lino-cut and wood block printing helps to explain her deep seated devotion to experimentation with colour, shapes, pattern and textures in her work - drawing inspiration from an array of styles and cultural influences from ancient and traditional to modern.
Stevie enjoys enormously the design and production process and loves the idea of sharing her artwork with a wider audience.
If you would like to find out more about her creative process, please visit her Instagram: @stevie.purcell_creates