Making a Point

The Arkansas artist with the patience of a saint

Since he was a small tyke patrolling the playground at elementary school, Isaiah Van Dyke-Stephenson has been creating magic with his colored pencils. What began as an escape from the volatile emotions of a young man living in a topsy turvy world quickly became a talent that can be matched by few. Isaiah recounts with laughter all the times he got in trouble with his teachers for doodling on homework rather than completing the equations that the paper demanded he do. Before long, the very thing that was causing the scoldings developed into an opportunity to excel. At his high school in Louisiana he was gladly accepted into a gifted and talented art program where his skills were honed to a fine point. 

But, as is the case with many creatives living in the rapidly paced world we all exist in, he lost touch with his first love for a few years. That was until he met his current paramour, his partner — whom he credits with reigniting the flame for creation. Today, the love affair between artist and art is in full swing.

After moving to Little Rock a little over a year and a half ago, Isaiah has found inspiration in the old buildings and ornate architecture that our historic city has to offer. He works solely with colored pencils on paper or canvas, creating images that swirl and move before your eyes. Every passing second a viewer spends looking at his work provides yet another minute detail. It isn’t unlike looking at the delicately carved stone buildings downtown, buildings which put on display the love and care their architects had for their craft. 

"“View of union station from under bridge”Colored pencil and soft pastel on toned paperHere’s a live drawing I did of a sunset near my home. It took about 2 hours to complete and was finished in one sitting"

Having lived in two different Southern states, Isaiah’s pontilism work – a tedious form of neo-impressionism which involves using tiny dots of various pure colors to draw a larger picture –  reflects what life is like in the sleepy south. The carefully chosen colors on each piece remind its viewers of a summer sun just beginning to set. Even the night time landscape portraits evoke the sound of cicadas singing their nightly orchestra for all to hear. One might as well be standing under the streetlamps of their childhood street, being eaten alive by mosquitos. His pieces which depict human subjects often give the impression of being torn in two, a sensation that anyone living in the south might feel while facing today's world. 

Beyond finding inspiration through his surroundings, Isaiah has also found it in the growing art community of Little Rock. For his upcoming gallery with us at The Loom, he is excited to meet young artists because it means mingling with others like him, the next generation of “starving artists” looking to conquer the world through conversation and real-life connection. In his own words “social media and things like that can leave me  feeling very unseen and isolated. Getting to talk to people in person about art is very validating. It gives me fuel to keep making stuff.”

Right now, Isaiah’s artwork is also on display at Gallery 26. On February 21st, his artwork will be on display for one night only at The Loom: Interlinked. He will be bringing a few new pieces as well as some old. For the future, he hopes to have the privilege of putting more of his work on display at other galleries around the city, and beyond. For a closer look at his work or to inquire about commissions, viewers can check out his instagram @saiah_van.