Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Lloyd.
Stephanie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been drawn to the arts of ay kind. Whether it’s singing, dancing, writing, drawing, or painting, I have always sought out opportunities to express myself creatively. Growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida, the beach played a huge role in my life and has influenced my artwork and my approach to life. I am also half Barbadian (or Bajan as the locals say) and the lush island lifestyle has become a part of my identity. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in something creative, but I could never decide between theatre or visual art. I decided to pursue a BFA in musical theatre with a minor in communications but I never stopped practicing other all other art forms that struck a chord in me. I was originally going to move to Orlando, FL but I was drawn to the woodsy, eclectic, creative city of Atlanta more than the prospect of a hot, theme park city. I moved to Atlanta in 2012 after graduating and never looked back.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a bit of a bumpy road. I was able to get an agent pretty much right out of college so I thought I’d be famous right away but it wasn’t that easy. I always knew that show business would be a tough career choice but I didn’t fully grasp it until I moved to Atlanta. Trying to hold down 2 or 3 jobs and still find time to audition is tough. Getting used to the traffic and increased need for car maintenance was tough. The art and theatre scene in Atlanta is vibrant but it’s very difficult to make enough money purely as an artist and make a decent living. Most of the artists I know doing it also have day/ night jobs and a side hustle or 2. I have had to learn the hard way that choosing an arts/ creative career means that you have to be frugal and budget, and get used to living modestly. To any woman just starting out, I would say remember that your worth and your value don’t equate to what/ how much work you book. You are enough, you are beautiful, you are valuable, and you are an artist whether you are booking work or not. Also, be mindful of scams and crooks. There are a lot of people in the arts industries that will try to take advantage of young, native artists. And keep in mind during the struggle- it is ok to teach. Passing on your passion and making a profit from it is a beautiful thing. Lastly, I’d say, just remember to budget, keep track of your expenses for taxes and take care of yourself!
Please tell us about stephanielloydartist.com, stephanielloydactor.com.
I moved to Atlanta in 2012 after graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Elon University to pursue my acting career. For the past several years, I’ve been fortunate enough to perform in some amazing Atlanta productions, as well as regional shows. Some of my favorite Atlanta theatres that I’ve had the pleasure of working with are The Alliance Theatre, The Center for Puppetry Arts, Seven Stages Theatre, Actor’s Express, and the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. I’ve also been fortunate enough to book a handful of commercials, industrials, and voice-overs thanks to the wonderful folks at my agency, People Store.
In the midst of pursuing my acting career, I have never lost sight of my passion for visual art. Using primarily acrylic on canvas, my artwork has always been a way for me to process life- the good and the bad. My work ranges from portraits to landscapes, to abstracts, but they usually always contain an aquatic or dreamlike element. I also love to experiment with mixed media, charcoal and finding ways to bring nature and the outdoor environment into my work. My work has been showcased at Mammal Gallery, Paper Plane Gallery, Carroll Street Cafe, HodgePodge Coffee Shop and Gallery, Eyedrum Gallery, Nouvelle Nail Spa, Aurora Theatre, and can currently be seen at Relapse Comedy Theatre. I’m also proud to have my work was also featured in volume 1 of the ColorAtl coloring book project. It was also cool to see a bit of my work on Season 1 Ep.7 of the new Queer Eye for the Straight Guy reboot and on Season 1 Ep.7 of Netflix’s Ozark. Lastly, I’ve also dabbled in some murals and street art and I currently have a mural on the back patio of Beer Girl Growler Shop in Hapeville.
On top of all that, I teach. To fill in the gaps of living an arts-focused life, I have dedicated myself to being a creative educator as well. Since moving to ATL, I teach singing lessons to students of all ages, freelance paint’n’sip style art classes for adults, and arts-focused summer camps and kids classes at Chastain Arts Center. I also take pride in the fact that I have been a museum interpreter at the Atlanta History Center for the past 5 years, leading field trips, performing historical theatre, and engaging guests about GA history. Starting this fall, I will embark on a new chapter as I pursue my MA in Creative an Innovative Education at GSU. My goal is to become Education Director of a theatre, museum, or another arts organization.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
My dad always used to say ” It’s not about how hard you fall, it’s about how high you bounce.” That has always stuck with me. It taught me that even though life will be full of setbacks and pitfalls, you have the power to get back up and keep moving, growing, and adapting instead of letting it crush you. That philosophy also sorts of falls in line my love of the beach and all things water. Growing up near the beach, visiting Barbados since birth, visiting natural springs, and hiking to waterfalls instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to be just as fluid, playful, strong, and adaptable as the water. And my Grandmother Sandy is a professional artist (painter) and she would always let me paint in her studio with her. She has been a major role model for me. And of course, I couldn’t have made it as far as I have in my journey without my mom Susie. She has been a huge supporter of my art from day one and I’m really grateful.
Pricing:
- $25 for a half hour singing lesson, $50 for an hour
- $75 for an hour Paint’n’Sip art class (plus a complimentary half hour before and after for set up/clean up)
- Canvas paintings range from $75- $250. Commissions always welcome
Contact Info:
- Website: stephanielloydartist.com
- Phone: (386) 795-7533
- Email: redsal5@gmail.com
- Instagram: @slloyd3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtPartyWithSteph/
- Other: stephanielloydactor.com
Image Credit:
Stephanie Lloyd
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
