NAME: Stephen D'Amato
BIRTH PLACE: Pompton Plains, NJ
BIRTH DATE: 6.4.60
BIOGRAPHY
I grew up in Pompton Plains, NJ, in which I considered an "all American type town". I'm not exactly sure what that means, but looking back it felt like some version of a 1960's Mayberry RFD, but on a larger scale. At age nine my father took a career transfer that moved us to Sydney, Australia and later to Illinois, before returning to New Jersey. During that time we were able to travel to some interesting areas of the world.
Some of my fondest memories as a child were our summer family trips to the Jersey shore. I still love to draw and paint around coastal areas and I find the scenery and the air rejuvenating. My interests in art started at a very young age, with imaginative drawings, usually involving people and sometimes my family. I later became more involved with music, playing keyboards with various local rock bands. In my twenties, discovered that I had a deeper commitment to my artwork and pursued that more seriously.
After studying art at various universities, decided I wanted to get more of an education from those who taught the figurative tradition. I sought out instructors at the Art Students League that include: Harvey Dinnerstein, Sharon Sprung and Costa Vavagiakis. I also assisted Michael Burban for two years in his daily drawing and anatomy classes at the Art Students League of New York.
In the past years I have worked as a graphic designer and illustrator.
Recently received Merit Scholarship at the Art Students League.
