From Precision to Flow, Two Exhibitions Feature the Evolving Work of Artist Stephanie Schechter
Two exciting art exhibitions in the southern tier of New York are featuring paintings from artist Stephanie Schechter. The Arnot Art Museum and Anthony Bunelli Fine Arts are highlighting different series of Schechter’s bold, evolving work. From her photorealistic depictions of signs and architecture, to her nature inspired abstract works, viewers have the opportunity to see Schechter’s striking work up close.
3 Americans | Arnot Art Museum
February 17 - April 26, 2024 | 235 Lake Street, Elmira, NY
The Arnot Art Museum is presenting Schechter’s precise, photorealistic oil paintings of signs and architecture in its current 3 Americans exhibition. Schechter’s sign and architecture series grew out of a love of typography and design, as well as a desire to document history. Schechter began her creative career as a designer. As she noticed some of her favorite old buildings being demolished, she felt compelled to use art as a medium to document the places she loved. She uses her “designer’s eye” to create powerful compositions that articulate the beauty she finds in her subjects.
The “3 Americans” exhibition highlights the evolution of Schechter’s work from 2015-2022. The museum will be exhibiting her works alongside exquisite drawings and textiles by Melissa Conroy, and classical landscape paintings by George Wellington Waters.
Nature: Precision + Flow | Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts Project Space
March 1 - April 27, 2024 | 186 State St, Binghamton, NY
Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts is exhibiting new paintings by artist Stephanie Schechter in its Project Space, an area of the gallery dedicated to experimental projects. The exhibition will feature some of Schechter’s new nature inspired abstract paintings. Schechter, a painter known for her photorealistic oil paintings of signs and architecture, recently began to explore nature as a subject. This exhibition highlights the results of that exploration from two very different angles.
In her Precision Series nature works, Schechter follows a similar process to her paintings of signs and architecture. She looked to WPA posters for inspiration for how to represent nature with a limited palette and limited details. The resulting large oil paintings express the qualities she finds beautiful about a place using “the fewest words.” By focusing on form and color, and refining the composition to its simplest elements, she creates minimalistic, yet powerful imagery.
While she loves every step of her Precision Series process, Schechter felt a craving to create art that is more spontaneous, and where the outcome can’t be predicted ahead of time. She says “I longed to lose track of time, become fully engaged, and enter into a “flow state.” Her new Flow Series paintings are the most expressive works she has ever created. Using new materials and techniques, and following her instincts, she creates richly layered and textured works on paper.
About Stephanie Schechter
Stephanie Schechter is a painter known for her bold, photorealistic depictions of signs and architecture. She is currently expanding her practice to include experimental abstract paintings inspired by nature. A New York native, Schechter graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, where she received a BFA in Industrial Design. Although she began her creative career as a designer, she now uses painting as a means to express the beauty she finds in the world. She lives and works in Providence, RI. Her paintings have been included in numerous publications, exhibitions and collections throughout the United States. She is represented by Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts.
