Ironstone Heritage Museum: Meet Artist Stephen Testa

Stephen Testa

is a geologist whose interests are in painting landscapes of geological interest, black and white images of iconic geological figures and landscapes from the great surveys of the 19th Century, and wildlife (including domestic pets). For Stephen, the media of choice is watercolor and the transformation from an historic dark black and white photo to watercolor brings out a fresh perspective on such iconic individuals and images. Stephen's other interests are in the painting of animal portraits and wildlife. His initial inspiration for watercolors began in the early 1980s when he was working in the North Cascades. It was there that he met Dr. Peter Misch, an iconic pioneering geologist of the North Cascades and professor at the University of Washington. Dr. Misch also an accomplished mountain climber and during his many geological excursions would take his watercolor set with him as he explored the Cascades. It was at his home where Peter showed Stephen his watercolors and encouraged him to pick up the brush along with a rock hammer. Some of Stephen's earliest paintings were displayed at The Prince and Pauper Gallery in Seattle. During this time, he also became a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society. After a hiatus from painting in the late 1980s until 2017, Stephen resumed his desire to paint in watercolor. Stephen is self-taught, and has developed his style from books on technique, observation of other artists' works, especially that of John Hunt and Robert Bateman, and workshops, albeit his geologic training is an advantage in sketching and 3-D visualization. He prefers watercolor for the spontaneity and many challenges this media presents. His works have been shown at several exhibitions throughout California. Stephen lives in Mokelumne Hill and is a member of the California Watercolor Association and Mother Lode Art Association.