Our 2007 Signature Artwork by a perennial Works of Heart favorite, Stephen White. Stephen is known throughout the country for his unique portrayals of women.

His first images were ladies from the Amish country and their faces had few, if any, features as the Amish did not want their faces portrayed in photographs or paintings. Later he moved into using a more oriental image but his ladies still have his signature touch in their facial expressions. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City owns a set of Stephen's handmade books that include original woodcuts of the Amish.

One of Stephen's signature techniques is oil glazes on wood. Today, he incorporates gold leaf on encrusted surfaces. Trying to explain Stephen's work is like explaining the seasons; sometimes Art Deco, other times Byzantine, contemporary, futuristic or surreal. His women harken back to the masters who labored over medieval panel painting.

A native North Carolinian, Stephen studied art at the Cleveland Institute of Art, has an M.F.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has taught print making at Duke University.

This is Stephen's 17th year contributing to Works of Heart.

Courtesy: Little Art Gallery, Raleigh, NC