Houston based artist, Stephen Dickerson paints a variety of subject matter ranging from dynamic, stylized architectural panoramas of urban America to abstracted landscapes and nautical themes. A major consideration in his approach to any subject matter is the interaction of shape, line and color.

Flagship - Stephen DickersonAs a youth in Alabama, he trained as a classical pianist, but once accepted into music school he felt constricted by the high-pressure competitions and recitals, not to mention the infinite number of hours required to practice in a confining practice room cubicle.  Seeking more freedom, he changed his major to art and transferred to the University of Alabama. In 1980 he graduated with a BFA with an emphasis in printmaking, and credits his professor Dr. Henry Betak with encouraging him to “not worry about solving problems with my art, but to make art that was meaningful to me on a personal level.”

Due to circumstances at the time, Dickerson eschewed the personal freedom of expression his art provided to pursue an 18-year career in retail management “to pay the bills.”  In 1996, he quit his job in Birmingham and moved to the Houston area to finally realize his potential as an artist. “As time passed, the realization grew that you only live once, as far as I can tell, and you should make every effort to spend as much as possible of your time here doing something meaningful to you" said Dickerson, who spent the next year doing printmaking full-time at his home studio.

In 1997 he applied for his first art show where his talents were recognized immediately with a first place award in his category of printmaking. He has since received numerous awards from art festivals and exhibitions across the country.

Dickerson favors subjects such as landscapes, seascapes, and, in the past two years, urban scapes, utilizing acrylic paint and pencil on canvas in a colorful, geometric and abstract style.  “My aim is to present images of contemplation, calmness, harmony, and balance.  It’s my way of dealing with a world of sound bites, chaos, conflict, and inequality”.