THEO STEPHENS
projects
about me
Since before I could even talk I have been drawing. Wherever I am, I have a constant need to create. Being a rather introverted kid, my default activity on holidays and family gatherings would be to sketch and scribble the people and places around me along with whatever fantasy scenarios were going on in my head. It got me into more trouble than I’d like to admit in school, constantly doodling on my workbooks, tables, and even walls of my classrooms.
I have always had a love for storytelling. I would always create characters with rich backstories and create illustrated books and comic strips to tell their adventures. My uncle, Murray Ball, served as a great inspiration for this storytelling as I was surrounded by his work as a cartoonist since I was very small.
Nature has a strong influence on my work. One of my earliest memories is creating a small pot out of clay we dug up from my garden. I have always had a fascination with the beauty of animals and plants too, no matter what I am creating, motifs and structures always have some inspiration from these organic forms.
I had a difficult time growing up as a queer kid in a town where I didn’t feel safe being myself. Being a more feminine boy called for some tricky times with the my classmates. My main escape from ridicule was to draw confident women, in the form of fashion illustrations, who were celebrated for their femininity and not mocked. As the years have gone by and I have become confident in my identity, these illustrations have naturally progressed to be celebrations of queer expression and the people in my life that make me feel accepted.
creative experience
Sussex Downs College – Art and Design Diploma
Distinction 2018-2020
College taught me a range of new creative skills. I learnt pottery, screen printing, various methods of dying fabrics and using a sewing machine.
Arts University Bournemouth – Animation Production
Second class honours 2020-2023
Early on in my degree, I realised going into the film industry would not be as enjoyable as I once thought. However, the course had one of the highest drop out rates in the country and I didn’t want to give up.
I learnt many preproduction skills over the three years such as, storyboarding, character design, creating concept art, stop motion set design and fabrication, and puppet making, and built strong abilities in the production processes including, 2D digital animation, lighting, effects animation and stop motion animation. The course also gave me the opportunity to develop my skills in drawing and painting with the use of life drawing classes.
A-Space – Digital marketing assistant
2023
I was responsible for scripting, filming, and editing adverts for TikTok as well as communicating with the clients to discuss their needs and requirements. I also had the role of reaching out to potential new clients to expand our client base.
