STEPHEN
SHORTRIDGE
A R T I S T | A C T O R | A U T H O R
BY DEAN CAMERON
paintings proudly displayed in my home. I typed out a series of“ get to know the artist” questions for Stephen to answer for our readers, as we do in many such articles( we will share those with you shortly). However, during the course of conversation with Stephen, he shared with me that he has written a book called A Finger-Painted Life, which may be better at answering some of my questions. I agreed to read Stephen’ s new book as a means to get some of those questions answered. Instead, I found a book that has offered surprising insight into this man, others and even ourselves as I read these pages. My“ get to know the artist” is now a blended interview and book review, as anything else would be an injustice.
A Finger-Painted Life is written as a series of stories from the Stephen of today, with his life experiences and knowledge, to the young Stephen as he strives to find himself as an artist. Which one of us has not said“ I wish I was young again and know what I know today”?
I first met Stephen Shortridge personally several years ago, when he agreed to be interviewed for a video I was producing to support the arts in Spokane Valley. To meet and talk to this man, you would quickly learn he prefers to deflect a compliment back to the giver rather than to wear it like a badge, as many do. You would never guess his successful Hollywood background as a TV star in numerous roles- most in that limelight tend to bask in it. Instead, you would quickly become comfortable talking with Stephen, the artist and humble human being, as if you had been friends for many years.
I was excited when Stephen said he would agree to be interviewed for Art Chowder Magazine. I love his impressionist style and have one of his
However, the musings and teachings of an experienced artist, speaking to a beginning artist struggling to make sense of it all, transmutes to life circumstances we can all relate to. I found myself connecting to this book in many personal ways and while I consider myself to be creative, I do not have an artist hand.
Stephen is able to blend his skill, his experiences, and his faith, weaving all into a tapestry that will have you pondering“ how on earth was he able to do that”? To me, that is what I love so much about the arts, to ask that question and to seek our own answers. I strongly suggest reading Stephen’ s book. It is a very insightful gem. As we progress into the below interview questions, I will be adding some quotes from Stephen’ s book, A Finger-Painted Life.
8 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE