Rising Star, Artist Stacey Wells: “Help people in whichever way you can; Small things make a big difference in people’s lives”
I have always practiced these things but now I feel more passionately about them than ever! Help people in whichever way you can. Small things make a difference in people’s lives. Be respectful to and of others. We are all different, celebrate differences without judgments. Differences are what make life and art so beautiful! Have as much fun as possible, every day and love people, a lot!
As a part of my interview series with popular culture stars, I had the pleasure of interviewing Artist Stacey Wells. Stacey Wells’ art can be found in galleries across the US and on art collector’s walls worldwide, including a few celebrities, the Playboy Mansion and The Hard Rock Hotel. Wells tells stories with her art, bringing history to life in her vibrant, pop artworks. Wells is known for her unique series of paintings of wine bottles, reflecting good times had with music and wine, essentially capturing time in a bottle.
Thank you so much for joining us Stacey! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was two, my dad, Warner Wells died in a plane crash when someone put a bomb on the plane, he was piloting. After his death, I spent countless hours at my grandparent’s home on the waterfront in West Vancouver. My grandfather taught me to skip rocks on the ocean and I became fascinated with the reflections on the water.
My Dad had always dreamed of taking us to Australia, and many years after his death, my Mom made his dream a reality. We stayed in Fiji and Hawaii along the way, I cataloged the colors and sights in my mind’s eye to eventually unleash in my vibrant artworks.
As a child in Fiji, I bought my first transistor radio, I loved music and fell asleep listening to it, tucked under my pillow every night. Rod Stewart was a favorite of mine, and when I was twelve, I drew a picture of him off one of his album-covers. Rod Stewart’s face started my love for painting portraits and capturing people’s essence with my art.
My career began decades later, after a wine tour with some of my girlfriends. My dear friend, Shelley had invited a few of us down to Scottsdale for a reunion. We fondly referred to it as the Rock Star Reunion because we wore sunglasses day and night to hide our tired eyes after some late nights. On the last day, we were invited by her neighbors to go on an all-expense-paid trip to San Francisco. We jumped at the chance for an adventure and the next day we were whisked off to Napa Valley for a day of wine tours, lunches, and limos.
At the last winery the wine tasted so good, we declared it “Rock Star worthy”. We bought a bottle of the special reserve and in the morning took it with us to drink on the patio with our breakfast as rock stars would. The bottle looked so pretty in the sunlight, with the reflections on it. I placed sunglasses around the bottle and tucked in the ROCK STAR gallery business card. I took a photo and when I returned home, I created a painting of it as a memory of our trip. I sent a picture of the art to the winery that read “Your wine was truly rock-star worthy, this is what it inspired.” The manager replied, “I love it, what else can you create?” He sent me a case of delicious wines for inspiration. I thought I can’t just paint sunglasses around bottles, how can I reflect the good times had with music and wine? This is how my first series “Rock Star Reflections” was born. Paintings of wine bottles, reflecting good times had with music and wine. The art quickly became a popular collectible which spun into many themed series. The story came full circle when a year later, I was invited to show my art at the ROCK STAR Gallery, during a private event with Gene Simmons, where my art hung on either side of his Axe Bass, guitar.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
I was at the Abbey in West Hollywood, one of my favorite patios to visit on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. The vibe is great, music, dancers and I always meet interesting people there. I was standing at the bar and as I turned around, I almost bumped into a man. I looked way up to see that it was Dennis Rodman. I told him that “I’ve always wanted to paint you!” he asked me to join him and his entourage of strangers.
Dennis was funny and filled with energy. He allowed me to take a few pictures of him, for reference for my art. We eventually moved on to his friend’s house, while on route Dennis hopped out of the car at a light and ran across the street to get flowers for his friend’s 90, year-old Mama. Very sweet!
We all enjoyed an afternoon in the sun, talking and laughing. One of his friends was an art promoter (Eddie), who after seeing my art was interesting in promoting it. Dennis took Eddie and me back to the Abbey. As we made a grand entrance, Dennis was hopping with the excitement from the love he received from his fans. He gave me his giant (self-dubbed) man purse, which hung down to my ankles and his phones to manage. I had fun playing his personal, assistant and took the fan’s photos for them. We had a great time working through the crowd, it was a pleasure to see how sweet he was to everyone and I loved his energy.
Sharing a ride home, he drove past my hotel. As we drove by, I said “Dennis, you just passed my hotel,” he said, “Do you trust me now?” I said “Yes,” as he had treated me with the ultimate respect. We were headed out to meet his lady friend. During the 40-minute drive, I enjoyed a softer, calmer side of Dennis and the conversations that we had. We arrived at the restaurant where we met his lady friend. He invited a couple of fans to join us at our table. We had a great time.
When we left there, we went to his house. We had met during the sunny afternoon, so I was wearing shorts and sandals, it was now a chilly evening. As we arrived, Dennis said, “Help yourself to anything you need.” We walked by a closet and I said, “Dennis can I wear this?” as I pointed to his white fluffy housecoat. He said “Yes!” so I threw it on over my clothes and I met them in the kitchen where Dennis quizzed me on being happily married for so long, he was intrigued and I sensed that he wished to have a long and loving relationship for himself. He told some family stories. I greatly appreciate being entrusted with the personal, conversation, which I always, respectfully keep to myself.
They drove me to my hotel and along the way, we stopped at a gas station. This part is hilarious …. I pumped gas into Dennis Rodman’s car while wearing his housecoat! Hahaha, where was TMZ?
We stopped at my hotel so I could change. Jaws were dropping as I walked Dennis and friend through the lobby of my hotel. I suggested we go to The Belmont, one of my favorite haunts with great ambiance and my favorite DJ, Dimitri Craven. We arrived to find that on Sunday nights, there was no DJ… I had taken Dennis Rodman to Karaoke night! Most certainly one of the funniest mistakes I have ever made. True to his good nature, Dennis was a great sport and sang some Karaoke.
I don’t follow politics as I find it’s very negative which affects my creativity, so at the time I did not know that Dennis had gone to North Korea nor did I know anything about Kim Yong Un. I received some hate from a few people for posting my picture with Dennis. Eventually, I created a painting of Dennis Rodman and Kim Yong Un, entitled “Peace, Basketball Talks” The Artwork shows Dennis holding up a basketball, with his fingers forming the peace sign, the basketball is a world globe. I created this art after meeting him as I felt that Dennis, with his gift of a child-like spirit, truly believed that basketball may be able to create world peace. And why not? What a beautiful thought that is.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I’m working on a huge canvas for a client’s waterfront home that will tell a story and reflect their passions. It’s exciting to create original, artworks that look cool to everyone but have great meaning to the collector, as it tells their story. I have so much fun weaving the details of their lives or history into art created especially for them.
I released my first book “WELLS WORLD” a limited edition with a compilation of some of my art. The first edition is sold out and I am currently working on a new one.
Something exciting is always happening! Last year, I got a call from Hard Rock International to create art for their newest hotel in Atlantic City. Most often I am not allowed to share the details of what I am working on, whether it is art for a big corporation or a custom order that someone has ordered as a gift, I can’t reveal the details, I love being a part of the surprise!
I’ve got a few cool collaborations and exciting opportunities that I can not discuss the details of just yet, so please subscribe to my website for updates www.artistwells.com
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I was on my way home from LA when I got an email asking if I would paint a dress for fashion designer, Cheryl Koo for LA’s Fashion Week. I was excited about the opportunity and changed my flight to stay in LA and paint the dress. I worked for days painstakingly hand-painting feathers on her creation. When I arrived at the event, I was enthralled with the excitement of it all, the hair, makeup, music, and lighting, it was electric! I was thrilled when the dress I had painted opened the show. As I was taking photos, I heard my name, looking up I saw my new friend, Wayne Jobson. We had met at the Sunset Strip Music Festival a few weeks before when I had unwittingly walked into a private party at the House of Blues. A cool looking guy, with a great smile, I was drawn to speak with him. I was thrilled as we had music in common. We had become friends, and when I came to LA, he would often invite me to his private parties. One of my friends had mentioned to me that he was a radio personality, but all I cared about was that he had a great personality. Over some Jamaican rum, he told me stories of hanging out with Keith Richards and showed me the boxed gift set that they had worked on together, the one that had earned a Grammy nomination in 2012. I later learned that Wayne Jobson was a two time, Grammy-winning record producer, film producer, radio host at Los Angeles’ KROQ and 103.1 and a renowned musician with too many credits and talents to mention here. All very impressive, but not once did he tell me any of that, he was all about the music and the people. I loved his stories.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Stay real to your art and your vision, being uniquely you is your biggest asset. Don’t copy. Don’t follow in anyone’s footsteps, brave your own way. Use your own brain.
Stay real, spend time on your art, and don’t get caught up in the hype.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I have always practiced these things but now I feel more passionately about them than ever! Help people in whichever way you can. Small things make a difference in people’s lives. Be respectful to and of others. We are all different, celebrate differences without judgments. Differences are what make life and art so beautiful!
Have as much fun as possible, every day and love people, a lot!
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
I am happy I braved it on my own and never sought advice nor was I given any. I love following my intuition and passion. I’ve learned a lot along the way.
I will share some things that I have always known or have learned along the way.
- Don’t let things stop you. Things come up that will throw a wrench into plans. There is always a way to make it happen. I was diagnosed with a rare, cancer a few years ago. I wasn’t sure if I would make it as it was very aggressive. I learned this, two weeks before my show in Vegas. Because my father died when I was so young, I already knew that life can be short, you need to do the things you want to while you are here. I did my show, came home and started treatments. My mom had passed away on my birthday earlier that year. On January 10th, I flew home from a meeting in San Francisco to spend a few precious hours with her. She was always proud of me and my art and I strive to live up to that pride. One of the last things I told her was that I had a show at Elvis’s Honeymoon Hideaway. I knew she would love this as she loved Elvis and although she could no longer talk, this brought a smile to her face. Fast forward to my second round of chemo, I was in and out of the hospital with a high fever. I had my Elvis show in a few days. I spoke with the nurse of my important show in honor of my beloved mom. The doctor came in later that day and told me they had a team of doctors working to get me ready in time to go to my show! I was released in the evening and went home with his recommendation. “If your fever stays down tonight and you don’t have a fever in the morning, you can go.” My incredible husband (who didn’t want me to go as he was worried.) drove me to the airport. I sat at the bar and with a smile, I sent a text to him, saying “I feel so normal” It was the greatest feeling to be there at an airport bar, on my way to share my art. I did my show and it was the best show ever! My friend Phil Hurley of Slim Chillers came and shared his delicious, adult, freezies. People came from Europe! A few talented guests joined in, playing guitar and singing with the musician. We ended the night piling on Elvis’ bed for some fun photos. My mom would have been proud! I went bald two days later. Perfect timing! Art that helps people, is my favorite art to create. I donate my art to charity auctions to several causes and have been doing so annually for 6 years or more. I always create original art that is especially geared to the event in hopes that it makes a lot of money to help people. There was no way I was going to let anything stand in the way of that. During chemo, I did a painting of Johnny Depp. It was difficult to do as I was in the later stages of my chemo treatments. I finished it just before I could no longer paint and just in time for the event. To my delight, I got a message that read “Thank you, Stacey Wells, your art raised 35,000 in the live auction, for the kids.” I can’t even explain the amount of happiness this gave me. A few weeks after my cancer treatments were done, while on a celebratory holiday I broke my shoulder. Stuff happens, I’m a survivor of life, in business, as an entrepreneur, and in the art world. It’s not always easy but its always, worth it! On the day I flew home from Palm Springs with my broken shoulder, I got a very important art opportunity from a big corporation, that came to fruition as soon as I could paint again. Something good always comes out of something bad.
- Ideas are valuable, don’t give them away, act on them. Try something new. Change your patterns to accommodate your opportunities. When I’m preparing for solo shows, I only cat nap, I paint until 4 am, sleep until 8 am them paint until dinner, then cat nap until 8 pm and paint all night again. It gets me in the groove. So that I can accomplish a lot. I usually coordinate a few shows in a row when I’m traveling. When I come home from my tour, I’m a zombie and will sleep for a week.
- Being unique and different is a gift that should you should treasure. I have no interest in doing what everyone else is doing.
- Inspiration is everywhere, pay attention. Listen, see and experience different people, places and things.
- Enjoy what you do. When I’m in my studio, I crank up the tunes and when I’m on a roll I dance around my studio. It’s quite the party, just me and a few famous rock stars. (wink wink) I enjoy the peacefulness of being in my imagination, it’s beautiful. I try to portray the feeling in my art. I love when my art translates this, many art collectors tell me that my art has moved them in a positive direction. I am more passionate than ever to make other people’s lives more beautiful with my art and my being, while having fun doing it.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“You Were Born An Original, Don’t Die A Copy.” John Mason
I love being me. I’m not referring to my physical being, but my mind. I can get lost in my imagination, I feel so happy, alone in my thoughts. It’s like my very, own secret garden that is filled with adventure, incredible beauty, vibrant colors, great music and the feeling of happiness. I love being different. I feel like the luckiest person in the universe.
Being original is the most valuable thing you can be, especially in the art world. It becomes incredibly boring seeing the same art style everywhere. I have strived hard to create my own, signature style. I feel that it is the greatest compliment when someone says, “You have your own, style, I’d recognize your art as a WELLS, even without the signature.”
I love that!
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful to who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I hold dear to my heart all of the people who have helped me in many ways, from sharing my art online to physically helping me with tasks, inviting me into their homes, supporting my art by coming to shows, buying my art which not only allows me to continue my art career but also allows me to give back by donating many original artworks, which have raised over $100,000.00 to help people . Thank you to my family, friends, and people I have met along the way, many of them once strangers, who I now call friends. I can’t possibly recount them all, so I will relay the one that has the most interesting story to tell and involves wonderful women, who helped me.
I got a call from Playboy Bunny, Ava Fabian, who has graced the covers of many Playboy Magazines. Ava was shown my “Satisfaction” art, a painting of the Satisfaction wine bottle with Hugh Hefner reflected in it. The art captured time in a bottle and reflected a life well-lived. Ava called me, she said, “I love your art, what can I do to help?” I thanked her and said no need to help but you are welcome to attend my show in Vegas. Not only did she attend but she had the Playboy Mansion send out a mass email telling everyone to come. We met an hour before the show, she was lovely and fun, we became fast friends. She gave me some treasured gifts, a Playboy necklace that Hef had given her and her real bunny tail, that she had signed. It was a treat to have her there. I was inspired by her beauty and kindness, so I had created a few artworks of Ava which she graciously signed for buyers at my show.
It was very exciting to have Hef’s mother in law, Lee come to my show. Lee bought my “Satisfaction” artwork for Hef for Christmas. She later told me that Hef loved it so much he hung it in his bedroom at the Playboy Mansion.
Months later, I was invited to the Playboy Mansion for dinner. I feel so grateful for this opportunity and to have met Hugh Hefner, he was a huge inspiration for my art and a great example, to follow your dreams. Hugh Hefner was everything I had imagined, witty, funny with a twinkle in his eye from a life well-lived.
The art that once hung in Hugh Hefner’s bedroom now hangs at Lee’s fabulous restaurant in Palm Springs “AJ’s On The Green” If you are in Palm Springs you must visit, my friend Lee is delightful. Live music and old world, charm bring you back to the good old days of Palm Springs, when the Rat Pack crooned their now-iconic songs and Hollywood made Palm Springs their Playground.
I am grateful to have so many friends that I have made along the way, during my wild and wonderful, art adventures.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this.
It would be a dream come true to take a ride with James Corden, do a little Carpool Karaoke and visit a few local rock stars, Steven Tyler, Slash, Blondie and Rod Stewart to name a few.
I would love to sit down with David Geffen to discuss some ideas I have.
I would love to meet powerful, inspirational women such as Ellen, Lady Gaga, Madonna who have braved their way as artists and entertainers, creating successful careers.
I would love to meet philanthropists who would like to work together to make a difference in this world.
I would love to sit down with Alison Martino of Vintage Los Angeles to hear stores for inspiration and share our love of the good old days!
As a person who is filled with creative ideas, I would love to talk to anyone interested in investing in some cool ideas I have.
I welcome calls from anyone who is considering a unique, custom artwork, the possibilities are endless.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
To see art, my bio, see pictures from celebrity events and subscribe to news and upcoming events.
Stacey Wells Artist
https://www.facebook.com/staceywells.artist
Stacey Wells
https://www.facebook.com/artistwells
@artistwells
@rockstarreflections_
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!
Thank you! It was a pleasure recounting these great memories!
