Profile No. 9: Stacey
Stacey Wells is a Rockstar Painter. In both senses; she is a total rockstar herself and famous for painting the-most-famous rock stars of the music world. Her pieces are hung proudly in luxury homes, high end hotels across America and on art collector’s walls worldwide -- there is no question why she has made such a name for herself. Stacey has an incredible talent for translating energy and attitude from inspiration to canvas. Her work is bold, unapologetic, real, original, personal and passionate. Among her rockstars, she also creates custom made pieces for clients who want a lifelong memento captured in the “Wells'' style. Morphing stories-told into a gorgeous piece of art they will have forever. Stacey talked with Hussey Notes about how following her intuition brought her to where she is now and the importance for an artist to follow their own unique journey; dancing to the beat of their own rock n’ roll drum.
Stacey had been painting since she was a young child, but originally for herself, friends and family. Painting underwater portraits of her children or pieces that were inspired by a memory. We began our conversation with Stacey recounting the story of how she created her very first, RockStar Reflection, painting - which would later open the door for her entering the professional art world. While in Arizona with a group of girlfriends, they spontaneously accepted an invite to a vineyard in Napa Valley which would extend their trip an extra few days - resulting in them all changing their flights home! The trip involved limos, wineries and restaurant tours - donning sunglasses the entire time to hide the tired eyes as they were living life to the fullest - they dubbed the trip the “Rockstar Reunion”. The last morning of their trip…
…We were sitting on the patio in the gorgeous sunshine, drinking this bottle of red wine with our breakfast - like rockstars! When we were done brunch, the bottle was sitting on the table in the sunlight, it was beautiful with all these reflections shining off the bottle and I thought, I have to get a picture of this as a memory of our trip and do a painting of it. I placed a pair of sunglasses around the bottle and took a photo.
When I got home I painted from the photograph. And afterwards, when people came to my house they would want to buy it! I’d be like, no this is my memory!
So I took a picture of the art and sent it to the vineyard where we purchased the wine and said, “Thanks for the fun, your wine was truly Rock Star-Worthy and this is what it inspired.” I got a message back from the manager saying, “I love it! What else can you create?” And then he sends me a case of delicious wine, as inspiration. So I shared the wine with my friends of course! Inspired by this wine I started my series of RockStar Reflections, I thought, I can't just paint wine bottles with sunglasses around them, that would be boring. So I asked myself, how can I reflect good times had with music and wine? The question created the answer. I began reflecting rock stars in the wine bottles -- essentially capturing Time In A Bottle. Every bottle was different, and each takes you back to that memory; reminders of experiences, music, friends. One of my first was a KISS bottle, “Sealed with a KISS”.
Did it have Gene Simmons in it?!
It did - with a cork in the bottle to suggest it was sealed with a KISS - the titles of this series also sends a subtle message. “Start Me Up” has Mick Jagger with a startup key, “Come On Baby Light My Fire” reflects Jim Morrison with flames licking up from the bottom of the bottle. I incorporate hidden hearts, messages, personal touches so people can truly send a message in a bottle.
I also do, “Reflect Your Passion Portraits” where the sunglasses reflect what your passion is. I did another Gene Simmons, “Alter Ego” which has a reflection of Gene Simmons’ KISS alter ego.
I sent pictures of those to The ROCK STAR gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, and they loved them! They invited me to hang my art at a private event with Gene Simmons where my art hung on either side of his KISS, axe bass guitar. And that’s how it all started!
Since it’s been a wild and wonderful ride. I basically followed my instincts, going with the flow. Had I not decided to go on that trip or be spontaneous?... I’ve never followed anyone else’s path — I think that’s really important because no two people are the same. Nobody is going to get the same results if they try to follow my blue print. I try not to follow or see other artists' work because I want all my experiences and inspiration to come from my own head.
It can be overwhelming to see everything else going on around you. For artists who are self critical, the comparing really kicks in.
Everyone is born with their own thing. I think it’s important to get out what’s in your brain because it’s totally unique! Success in being an artist — is being unique. If everyone is the same it gets boring. I’ve always strived to have my own signature style. My favorite compliment is when someone says they’d recognize my art as a WELLS, even without the signature.
When was this amazing trip?
Ten years ago! I haven’t been in the industry that long. But I had a unique idea that no one had thought before - being unique helps!
When did the message-in-a-bottle custom orders begin?
At first they were all from my imagination and what I loved. Eventually those were in the galleries, which spun into many series of bottles and people started inquiring about custom pieces. If they have an idea; a specific song, travel destination or experience, I can translate that to canvas. Recently I started having requests for weddings! So the bride and groom are reflected in the bottle long with details such as their wedding date and last name on the label.
This year I had a couple from Texas order a custom bottle - the husband wanted to surprise his wife with an anniversary gift. We talked for a long time, about how they met, the proposal, what they love to do as a couple; I wove that together and captured their time-capture in the bottle. A whole story! Topped off with silver leaf and diamond dust on the bottle - it was gorgeous.
You can’t find a more personal and beautiful gift - that will be passed down!
They flew up to Vancouver because he wanted me to be there for the surprise! I have a video of her crying happy tears - it was so beautiful. That’s the reaction I get from a lot of people who surprise their loved ones with art.
That is so impactful.
And it’s not all bottles! I get lots of custom art orders,the possibilities are endless. Recently, a man ordered a custom Post Malone art, his wife loved Post - I had never heard his music! So I immersed myself in his music on Youtube and incorporated lyrics from her favorite song, Saint Tropez, in his hair. He was fun to paint with all those tattoos and such an interesting subject. It was a thoughtful gift from a husband to his wife, he was clearly “saucing on” {Post Malone lyrics} her!
Stacey Wells with Alice Cooper
Speaking of subjects! Who has been your biggest inspiration from the rockstars?
I think my most painted face is Steven Tyler. I love painting different faces and he is unique looking and has a lot of character in his face. He’s been one of my most popular. Of course Mick Jagger! For females - Blondie is my favourite face to paint!.
Those are the true rockstar icons.
Yes! I did a Blondie piece for the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City. Hard Rock International called me, “We love your artwork and want it in our hotel”. That was a great phone call! I ended up painting four pieces for them, highlighting New Jersey rockstars.
That’s awesome that they called you! What an amazing commission.
The pieces are all so unique and are definitely a conversation starter, in any space. I do commissions for home, office and large corporations. My art is not limited to what is on my website, the possibilities are endless.
Something I love about art is it seems to be the only thing in the world that keeps the world connected. You can have two people on extreme opposite sides of the political spectrum who normally wouldn’t be able to agree on anything or have a discussion. The only topic they can discuss though - is art. Agree about music, a movie, a piece of art —
I know! I was thinking that, all art; music, movies, physical art - it’s something that makes people happy. Which is really my goal with my artwork; to make people smile every day, have good memories and to be able to enjoy them all over again through my art.
I would love to ask you about being a woman in this rockstar-art world. Did you ever feel like you had to keep your elbows up or did you feel safe entering the industry?
No, I didn’t feel like I had to keep my elbows up or anything. I just did my thing, I didn’t think about my gender — and I was well received. I have been lucky to have had such incredible support from both males and females but I do notice that males in artistic careers: actors, musicians and artists, seem to gain celebrity status and social media support more easily. But in the last few years that’s changed a lot as I see more women empowerment and women-supporting-women which is really fabulous. I am the only female artist at the ROCK STAR Gallery that isn’t a celebrity. I think it’s really cool that they added me and it’s such an honour to have a spot there. I’ve been treated so wonderfully by everyone! It’s also a person's individual attitude. We can make our own way depending on how we act or react to situations as well.
Do you have any words of wisdom for artists or painters specifically?
My favorite quote is, “You were born an original - don’t die a copy.” And I’ll leave you with that. I believe every artist in every genre should have that in their mantra.
You can follow Stacey on instagram here. Learn more about her custom orders and shop her website here.
