where craftiness comes from: stefan page

Stefan Page is an illustrator, pattern and surface designer from Canada. We recently discussed where he feels his craftiness comes from.

desert flowers by stefan page click image for more info

Stefan has been a freelance illustrator since 1998 and has created surface and pattern designs for some well known companies since that time and shared them on his portfolio.

Growing up, Stefan was hugely influenced by his grandfather, a painter who was originally from Poland. He grew up with Polish folk art all around him; design and art have been part of his whole life.

Stefan graduated from The Ontario College of Art and Design after majoring in Experimental Painting. While he never had to fight to go to art school, his parents were concerned that there might not be a future in the major he chose. In hindsight, Stefan recognized that they were correct as there weren’t many jobs related to experimental painting.

Sometimes you just know what you’re meant to be doing from the very beginning. Not everyone is blessed with this, but it worked for Stefan.

Drawing is the only thing I’m really good at and I love to draw all the time. My influences seem to be folk art and minimalism. But with the world being so connected I’m sure there is so many influences in my work that I’m not even aware of.
- Stefan Page

Stefan’s story reminded me that sometimes you just need to do what you love and everything else will fall into place. While there may not have been work for him directly in experimental painting, the world of illustration, pattern and surface design opened up for him. These areas gave him the chance to do what he loves and to share it with the world.

It’s awesome when things come together like that, don’t you think?

Thanks, Stefan! Visit him at his website.